Fifteen Minutes by Amanda Prowse

 

Amanda Prowse is one of my very favourite authors, and I devour everything she writes with alacrity. However, this book is in a league of its own and might just be my new favourite of all her novels. Parts of it feel incredibly personal, and my only complaint is that it was far too short.

 

Chen tells each person, “I promise you that I have never and will never tell you a lie,” and then offers them something extraordinary — fifteen minutes with someone who has passed away. They can’t explain what’s happening, can’t give warnings, and can’t leave the room, or their time ends instantly. Each chapter follows a different meeting, and those brief fifteen minutes change that person’s life in some profound way. It’s impossible not to imagine what you would do with that chance yourself — to say goodbye, to say I love you, or simply to see someone’s face again. The whole concept is just incredible, and so beautifully handled.

 

I found this book incredibly moving, and each chapter left me thinking about who I would choose and what I would say in those precious minutes. Amanda Prowse writes with such tenderness and insight that it’s impossible not to feel every moment, and the idea behind the story lingers long after you’ve finished. It’s a beautiful, thought‑provoking read that touched me deeply, and one I know will stay with me.

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8533620829