The Immortalists - Chloe Benjamin

Blurb
It's 1969, and holed up in a grimy tenement building in New York's Lower East Side is a travelling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the date they will die. The four Gold children, too young for what they're about to hear, sneak out to learn their fortunes.

Such prophecies could be dismissed as trickery and nonsense, yet the Golds bury theirs deep. Over the years that follow they attempt to ignore, embrace, cheat and defy the 'knowledge' given to them that day - but it will shape the course of their lives forever.

Review

Set around four siblings who as children visit a fortune teller, she discloses to each child individually the date they will die. The novel is split into four parts (one for each sibling) focusing on how they choose to live their lives based on their death date, how it affects them both as individuals and the wider impact it has on the family.

Overall I really enjoyed the book, the premise is really interesting and unique. Benjamin's writing is entertaining and the book is incredibly well researched. It spans 50 years and gives insight into topical events - AIDS, females legitimacy in male-dominated professions, the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, animal testing/rights and the exploration of anti-aging science. 

Each sibling reacts and is affected by the psychic's claims differently, some go adventure and live life to the fullest chasing their dreams, others choose to play it safe to protect themselves. Who does the right thing? - what would you do if you were in their shoes? This read is complex, believable and thought-provoking; well worth reading if you are after something entrenched in modern family life with an edge.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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