DEATH becomes her

Think there’s nothing funny about dying? In her intoxicating debut novel, Aussie author Megan Albany finds the humour alongside the heartache

Clint has not only written a list for himself, he has also made me a list... He must be emboldened by the fact I am dying. He thinks I am too weak to kill him

Viv Walker knows a thing or two about lists. Writing them. Redoing them. Even fishing them out of pockets before laundry day. But there’s one list she didn’t expect to make – and it’s the last one she’ll ever have to tick off.

With a title that’s also a #spoileralert, The Very Last List of Vivian Walker signals its leading lady’s fate to start. But what could emerge as a tale of woe-is-me is instead a blend of laughter and tears – often on the same page. It’s all down to author Megan Albany.

FROM THE HEART

A jack of all storytelling trades, Megan drew inspiration from her own life, as the ongoing loss of family and friends created a space where, “I kind of had death on my mind”. From there came the impetus to write, working in everything from a friend waxing his chest for charity and inappropriate funeral songs to larger than life ‘aunties’. Most notable among them was friend Rebecka, who loved a good list and coined the term ‘life admin’ to describe the good, the bad and the boring of everyday life. From them came reflection on the beauty of life’s imperfections – in our homes and hearts, the words we do and don’t say and, for Viv, the ones we shout.

LARGER THAN LIFE

No shrinking violet, Viv is a loving mum and resentful wife, guarded sister and caring friend, chippy fridge emptier and conscientious email sorter. One honest enough to note her only real talent as “giving up” and who tosses a dead mouse into her blind neighbour’s yard remorse-free, as cancer trumps vision loss (funnier than it sounds). This interplay of contradictory facets was crucial. “The thing for me is that with imperfect people, we love them, and when they die, it’s all the imperfections we miss – the stupid, annoying things,” says Megan. And Viv does them galore. After all, who else would prioritise their tax with just weeks left to live?

SAD FAREWELL

Yet there’s also plenty of emotional wallop, and Megan says the hardest writing from that perspective was Viv’s farewell to son Ethan. “That made me cry,” she says. “Because as a mum, you just can’t not imagine that moment.” Equal care went into the chapters by, and about, Viv’s hubby, Clint – his love, fear, care, loyalty – and ability to drive her to fury and frustration. It’s an almost gentle tribute to men’s imperfections. “They do drive us mental but they also put up with a lot of bossiness and a lot of lists,” laughs Megan, sharing a moment that flowed into the book. “I remember having a conversation with someone and saying, ‘Imagine if a man wrote a list for you. Oh God! That would never happen’.” Or at least it should never happen, according to Viv. As for Megan’s own love of lists, it may be inefficient but yes, it exists. “Just ask my husband,” she laughs.

Megan has also created a soundtrack for her novel. It’s at meganalbany.com.