Review of What a Way to Go by Bella Mackie
When I picked up What a Way to Go, I was immediately drawn in by Bella Mackie’s knack for dark humor, having thoroughly enjoyed her debut novel, How to Kill Your Family. Mackie’s writing offers a refreshing collision of wit and tragedy, pushing the boundaries of what we might consider laughable in the murky waters of human flaws. As I turned the pages, I knew I was in for a ride—a thought-provoking exploration that pokes fun at privilege while navigating some fairly uncomfortable truths about our humanity.
At its core, What a Way to Go delves into the lives of the utterly flawed and undeniably unlikeable characters—a signature of Mackie’s style. Each family member of the deceased protagonist, a disgraced patriarch, navigates their own self-interest while grappling with a collective loss that is part farce and part tragedy. I found it particularly engaging to watch Mackie’s portrayal of her strong female characters: they may appear to play second fiddle, but they are always five steps ahead of their male counterparts. Just when you think they’re about to be outmaneuvered, another woman steps in to reclaim agency. It’s this play of power between the genders that I found compelling and refreshing, even amidst the chaos.
Mackie’s writing is marked by its sharp, comedic timing and remarkably insightful observations. Lines that would normally be found in muted whispers become loud declarations, dissecting privilege with acerbic wit. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity portrayed during discussions about the deceased man’s public tribute; passages like this one left me nearly wheezing with delight:
“A devoted husband was translated as ‘Bought his wife diamonds every time he shagged someone half her age.’”
In moments like these, Mackie captures the messy, raw, and unfiltered nature of what it means to be human, which resonates so deeply with everyday experiences. Yet, while the laughs came easily, there was a small voice in the back of my head whispering that perhaps Mackie might have been trying a bit too hard in some instances.
Even with the engaging first half, I must admit that the book felt prolonged toward the end. I was left wanting a punchier climax or a twist that would have taken my breath away, as much as Mackie teased me with her sharp wit throughout. It felt, more than once, that some narrative threads were given more attention than necessary, losing their impact in the final act.
As for my star rating, I’ve come to a personal realization regarding metrics. For me, a three-star rating is comfortably nestled in the “I enjoyed this” category, rather than “average” or “poor.” In the world of Goodreads—where anything below a 3.7 seems to tarnish a book’s reputation—this might seem counterintuitive. But hey, readers are quirky beings, and understanding our innate biases can be enlightening when we dive into critiques.
So, who would enjoy What a Way to Go? If you’ve savored Mackie’s How to Kill Your Family, you’ll likely appreciate this one, too. But if you struggle with morally ambiguous characters or prefer neatly wrapped endings, it might be wise to pass. In the grand tapestry of reading experiences, Mackie reminds us that humor and tragedy can coexist—even if they sometimes leave us with unresolved quirks at the finish line.
Ultimately, this book was a reminder of life’s absurdities, a celebration of flawed humanity that forced me to chuckle at the darkest moments. It was a journey worth taking, even if the destination left me wanting.