Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral

by: Kris Radish

Published by: Bantam Dell Publishing Group

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

Annie Freeman died from ovarian cancer at age 56. Even in death, Annie has a plan. She sends her ashes in red sneakers via UPS to her high school friend and the sister she never had, Katherine Givens. The note that accompanies her remains will profoundly impact the five women she invites to her traveling funeral.

Katherine, Jill, Laura, Rebecca and Marie all played an important role in Annie's life, and they are to be the pallbearers in her death. Annie never wanted a traditional funeral and her well-thought-out funeral has the five women traveling the country to sprinkle her remains.

The women learn more about their friend Annie on the journey, but they also meet themselves in a way they never have before. It is a story of their friend, their own personal revelations and the bonding between women.

This is a delightful story that will make you laugh, bring tears to your eyes and will present to the reader "ah ha" moments that will challenge you to examine your own lives and the missed opportunities that will, in the future, become opportunities embraced.

At times Radish pushes the melodramatic but it serves a purpose. Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral is a celebration of death and life and the empowering friendship of women who bond in a time of grief.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a novel that readers will want to share with their friends.