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Readers and fans who have had a taste of Sophie Kinsella’s other work like “The Shopaholic Series” (2000-2019), “The Undomestic Goddess” (2005) or “The Wedding Night” (2013) would notice that “What Does it Feel Like?” is entirely different. The length of the book is a giveaway. Chapters are also usually short, interspersed with conversation threads from a popular messaging app, perhaps a feature meant to connect with, if not, excite both the young and old readers. I mean, most of the time, when diagnosed with a terminal illness, you’d appreciate some form of support groups, provided they’re encouraging but not overdoing it.

For those of us looking for hints of her previous work, maybe there’s a tiny bit of humour in the book. Kinsella surely knows how to make you laugh, even in moments of heaviness.

Notably, as someone who’s all too familiar with physio appointments and other healthcare providers, I found it easier to empathise with Eve, Kinsella’s proxy. After all, “What Does it Feel Like” is Kinsella’s most autobiographical work, although parts were also fictionalised to make it a novella. After all, how many of us actually like going to the hospital, knowing that you’re dealing with something incurable? Working in a hospital is a different story altogether. I’ll save that for another day.

While the short chapters did throw me off from understanding the book as a whole, if you have the heart to read it, you’ll find your way. Thankfully I found my way back into it… because like, many of us, we’d usually prefer something clear-cut and even better - a happy ending… although, of course, the conclusion is more of a “happy for the time being” kind rather than a “happily ever after” type, which is usually the case for fairy tales.

Like Kinsella, Eve is a famous author, in her life before the diagnosis, attending talks, events, interviews, usually public-type affairs for an otherwise solo or solitary affair. Many in the writing, authoring world would describe it as a solitary experience, even though they’ll also be required to engage in other activities related to their work or book. That in itself, I feel, is one of the ironies of being into the written word. When one writes, it’s usually to connect with the wider world. However, at the same time, for one to write and for the creative process to take shape, a solitary effort is usually part of it.

Did I enjoy the book? Yes, because I related to portions of the book, especially the ones on working to regain normal function of the body. Yes, also because there was a lot to do with the written word in the book. Yes, because a lot of what’s written moved me, made me cry, and even smile. Nope, because it’s too short… but still an effort worth commending, considering her health. Note that this will be Kinsella’s final book… unless there is unpublished content waiting to be revealed.

All in all, it’s a very raw, honest account of Kinsella’s journey battling terminal illness.  It’s yet another reminder that life has its ups and downs - you’ll laugh, cry, grieve, smile. Oh, yes, it’s also a tribute to the healthcare workers, in some way, not only the doctors and nurses, but the others including speech therapists, and a nod to mental health practitioners, because you don’t know the weight of what someone’s going through – especially after a diagnosis that can crush you.

With World Book Day 2026 coming up this 23 April 2026 (as assigned by the UNESCO), this might just be up your alley, if you’re looking to not only read on something health-related, but also to acknowledge one of the most inspiring figures, who has given us books we can carry, laugh, re-read and cry about.

Prior to using the name Sophie Kinsella, Kinsella had used her real name, Madeleine Wickham, to write novels beyond her usual romance-based chick lit, or “witlit”. Kinsella was also a financial journalist. Kinsella was writing even when she learnt of her diagnosis of brain cancer. Kinsella passed away in December 2025, days before turning 56.