Live a Little

Two nonagenarians in North London discover that proximity to the end of one's life does not preclude the possibility of beginning again. Beryl Dusinbery, sharp-tongued and memory-riddled, holds court from her armchair while her carers bear witness to decades of romantic entanglement she can barely keep straight. Shimi Carmelli, improbably dapper and burdened by a shame he has never forgotten, moves through a world of widows who regard him as a rare and dwindling resource. Howard Jacobson brings these two together with characteristic wit, crafting a late-life comedy that refuses sentimentality even as it circles genuine tenderness.

Allan Corduner proves an ideal guide through Jacobson's layered prose, navigating the novel's tonal shifts with ease. His delivery captures both the absurdity of Beryl's rambling confessions and the quiet weight of Shimi's long-held regrets, giving each character a distinct presence without overplaying the comedy. The nearly ten-hour runtime passes with the rhythm of good conversation, making this a particularly satisfying listen for fans of literary fiction that earns its warmth through irony first.