The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
Series: Standalone Novel
Publisher: Revell – July 5, 2022

REVIEW BY KELLY GOSHORN

The title of this book captured my attention from the get-go. I mean how many deaths can one person have and why would they be considered “extraordinary?” However, what kept me reading were the well-crafted characters that leaped off the page and a message this reader needed to be reminded of.

Clara Kip is a spunky septuagenarian who doesn’t take no for an answer, especially when it comes to loving others. When the story begins Mrs. Kip is entering hospice. Although she is weak and in failing health, she doesn’t believe her usefulness to the Lord is over and she actively looks for ways to minister to others inside her long-term care facility.

Aidyn Kelly is an ambitious cub reporter who is disappointed when she receives the assignment of writing an obituary for an ailing woman. In a hurry to get the piece written so she can move on to other more interesting assignments, her initial meeting with Clara is filled with rote questions and little curiosity about the woman whose story she must write.

As Aidyn gets to know Clara, she is transformed by the elderly woman’s complete surrender to Christ. Although Aidyn is a Believer, she is hesitant to step outside her carefully constructed comfort zones. As Mrs. Kip’s life story unfolds, the reader is treated to a beautiful demonstration of how one individual can change the world one unselfish, loving act at a time.

“Authentic love is the greatest joy there is, Miss Kelley, but it requires
a thousand little deaths to self.”

Sarah Burnsvold, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

So much of the wisdom of this novel is summed up in that one quote. Loving others as Christ loved us requires continual surrender and sacrifice. It’s impossible to read The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip without being challenged to live with the kind of reckless abandon that changes hearts and minds. I’m not sure I’ve ever said this about a book, but it made me want to love all the people in my life better.

Filled with multi-dimensional characters, a compelling storyline, and a compassionate look at the end of life, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is faith-based fiction at its finest.

I purchased the audiobook version of The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip on Audible.