Lisette

In the early 1990s Catherine Rey formed a deep bond with Lisette Nigot, a kindred spirit whose colourful past and sharp humour made her an invaluable confidant and mentor. As Lisette aged and faced mounting discomfort, she became determined to end her life on her own terms.

This book is Catherine Rey’s heartfelt tribute to their unique relationship, honouring their rare connection through candid honesty and empathy. In exploring their bond and the sorrow of its loss, Rey delves into profound questions about the nature of death and the autonomy we seek in our final moments. With a refusal to settle for conventional wisdom on grief, Rey examines what it means to remain connected to others and ourselves, and the ethical complexities of euthanasia.

Lisette is both a moving homage to a vibrant woman and a reflective meditation on how time shapes our understanding of what is truly significant. It offers an intimate look at the details that become precious as life progresses and challenges us to consider how death influences our lives and the choices we make about our end.

Praise for Lisette

‘What a wonderful work this is. Not a word wasted, and so much space for pain and ambiguity and speculation to do its work. In Rey’s hands, an exquisitely intimate choice becomes universal, a deep meditation on life and its endings.’

– Hugh Riminton, journalist, author of Minefields: A life in the news game