Better Dead

"Better Dead" by J. M. Barrie is a novel about a young Scottish man named Andrew Riach, who journeys to London seeking work as a secretary and a writer. The story explores big ideas like love, chasing dreams, feeling lost in the world, and how strange society can be as Andrew wrestles with his emotions for Clarrie and finding his purpose in the busy city. The book starts with Andrew leaving his small village in Scotland for the huge city of London. He is confused about his relationship with Clarrie, and he's unsure about love and what he wants to achieve, which prepares the reader for what's to come in the story. Through talks with the minister and thinking about his past, Andrew shows he's a complicated person – someone who has big dreams but also struggles. As he deals with disappointments in his job search and thinks about the world around him, the beginning builds the base for his journey, giving clues about future meetings that will test what he believes and what he hopes for in the big city.