Travis is not your usual guy. He is Death. He is the one who appears when your moment comes and gently ushers you on your way.
He knows every detail of your life. When the time arrives, you recognise him. Some are grateful that their journey has reached its end; others are too young to understand what is happening. Whatever the circumstance, Travis is there to hold a hand, share a few words and ensure no-one leaves alone.
When the little girl who lives across the hall knocks on his door, he resists becoming involved. Travis doesn’t have a life of his own. He sees everything and knows what lies ahead for every person – the day, the moment and the event that will end their life. Yet he is never judgemental – even if someone has committed terrible acts.
But the little girl slowly begins to get under his skin, and when her mother reaches out, Travis finds himself drawn into their lives. Reluctantly at first, then he begins to experience something he has never truly had before: connection.
This book made me cry – more than once. Some of those tears came from sadness and loss, perhaps reflecting grief of my own. Others came from the beauty of the writing itself. Yet despite the emotional weight, I never wanted to put the book down.
This is not a novel to rush through. The writing lingers over the small details of life, reminding us of all the things that happen around us while life carries on, and just how extraordinary all the ordinary moments are.
When I closed the final page, I hugged the book to my chest. I can’t explain it any better than that.
Reviewed by Rowena Morcom
Read a sneak peak from Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ben Reeves lives in Peterborough, UK, with his wife and two children. An early draft of Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt won the international 2024 Bath Novel Award.
When he’s not writing, he paints, makes music, and works as a web designer for a book printing company.
Follow Ben Reeves on Instagram
Read more about the book on the publisher’s website
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