We All Want Impossible Things

After reading and loving Newman's book Sandwich (on audio) a couple of weeks ago, I promptly put this audiobook by the same author on hold at the library. I enjoyed parts of this book and while it felt very similar to Sandwich, I was surprised that it didn't hit me nearly as hard with its emotion and characters.

Based on its blurb, I expected an emotional read about two friends - one of whom is dying of ovarian cancer. Despite Edi having cancer, the story mainly focuses on Ash. And I didn't love her. She's a hard character to connect with - she's funny but she came off as juvenile and self-absorbed. Maybe this story didn't hit as hard as I had hoped because it's told solely from her perspective, but despite having her POV, it was hard to understand why Ash made the choices she did. I didn't like how the story became about her, not her dying friend.

The story is a bit convoluted as it jumps between memories from their decades long friendship, to Ash's family and love life. The story is generously sprinkled with Newman's sometimes irreverent sense of humour (which may not be to all tastes) and there are some poignant moments.

This shorter than expected story felt longer than in needed to be and I couldn't help but feel that the author was trying too hard to be quirky and funny when I wanted more focus on the poignancy of the long-standing friendship. 

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Catherine Newman

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: eaudiobook from public library

Narrator: Jane Oppenheimer

Run Time: 6 hours, 55 min

Publisher: HarpeAudio

First Published: November 8, 2022

Read: Feb 3 - 5, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: For lovers of Meg Wolitzer, Maria Semple, and Jenny Offill comes this raucous, poignant celebration of life, love, and friendship at its imperfect and radiant best.

Edith and Ashley have been best friends for over forty-two years. They've shared the mundane and the momentous together: trick or treating and binge drinking; Gilligan's Island reruns and REM concerts; hickeys and heartbreak; surprise Scottish wakes; marriages, infertility, and children. As Ash says, "Edi's memory is like the back-up hard drive for mine."

But now the unthinkable has happened. Edi is dying of ovarian cancer and spending her last days at a hospice near Ash, who stumbles into heartbreak surrounded by her daughters, ex(ish) husband, dear friends, a poorly chosen lover (or two), and a rotating cast of beautifully, fleetingly human hospice characters.

As The Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack blasts all day long from the room next door, Edi and Ash reminisce, hold on, and try to let go. Mean 

while, Ash struggles with being an imperfect friend, wife, and parent—with life, in other words, distilled to its heartbreaking, joyful, and comedic essence. 

For anyone who’s ever lost a friend or had one. Get ready to laugh through your tears.