Summary of "Amsterdam"

At Molly Lane's memorial service two of her former lovers Vernon and Clive meet. Molly died of some unspecified illness that slowly extinguished her life. The two friends both agree that is was a horrible discease and not a dignified life at the end.

Her death causes them to think about their own mortality, and this makes them enter into a euthanasia pact with each other. Should either of them get as sick and helpless as Molly the other one will take him to Amsterdam, where euthanasia is allowed, and end his life there.

The series of events that take place after the funeral and the pressure they are both under at their demanding jobs, as an editor and a composer, makes them question their friendship and their dislike for each other grows. This also makes them reinterprete the meaning of their pact and the phrase living with dignity.

This novel deals with subjects like sensational journalism, ethics and euthanasia. Although the novel is short and does not go into depth to explore the subjects and characters, the language is excellent. A very good book.

Book Summaries

Fiction
Health
Psychology
Biography
Awards

Book Awards

Man Booker Prize
Nobel Prize
Pulitzer Prize