What Does it Feel Like?

By: Sophie Kinsella

Narrated by: Sally Phillips, Sophie Kinsella

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER!

From Number One bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an unforgettable story – by turns heartbreaking and life-affirming – of a renowned novelist facing a devastating diagnosis and learning to live and love anew.

‘What Does It Feel Like? is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story.’ — Sophie Kinsella

Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumour growing in her brain.

As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again — and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children — she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights and always buying that dress when she sees it.

Recounted in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating the labyrinth of grief. This extraordinary novella is a celebration of life, shot through with warmth and humour – it will both break your heart and put it back together again.

‘Why did I write such a personal book? I have always processed my life through writing. Hiding behind my fictional characters, I have always turned my own life into a narrative. It is my version of therapy, maybe. Writing is my happy place, and writing this book, although tough going at times, was immensely satisfying and therapeutic for me.’ – Sophie Kinsella
'I laughed. And I cried. And then I thought about the meaning of life. A jewel of a book.' JOJO MOYES

'The bravest book you'll read all year.' JODI PICOULT

'I was gripped and moved and I loved every word.' LISA JEWELL

'A beautiful love story and a glowing beacon of hope.' JENNY COLGAN

© Sophie Kinsella 2024 (P) Penguin Audio 2024

Critic reviews

Emotional and affecting, this gave me a new appreciation of life's small joys

A book full of honesty and solace for anyone going through a tough time.

Touching story real story, good performance.

Sadly that this is the last book of Sophie Kinsella. I’ve been a fan but stopped reading her books as the topics were supposed for a younger group but I’ve grown. Picked this audio book after knowing her death.

As usual, it’s well written and brings everything so lively and vividly with a light-hearted touch, snd at some point I couldnt help having a big smile, even it’s a book about the brain cancer she had. This book shows feeling and thinking of someone with brain cancer. I think the bits and pieces about how she and partner handled both the daily living part and the mental part is a good read, maybe helpful for people who are have family with illness.

Love the Afterword part, and lucky that I chose an audio book (my first time to listen to an audio book of her). It’s read by Sophie Kinsella.

Deep and moving

I was so moved by this book. I loved the way Sophie Kinsella was able to tell her difficult story, deep and uplifting