The Man Who Died Twice

The novel’s final section consists of short chapters visiting various characters and providing neat resolutions to their storylines. In Chapter 79, the narrative builds in tension, raising the possibility of a final plot twist. When Patrice answers her door late at night, her vulnerability is emphasized as she recalls that “Donna has told her a hundred times to get deadlocks, to get peepholes” (402). Readers are led to suspect that Connie may have sent the caller. However, it turns out to be Chris declaring his love and cementing their romance.

Chapter 80 addresses Ibrahim’s self-imposed seclusion and Joyce’s intention, voiced at the beginning of the novel, to get a dog. Joyce tries to coax Ibrahim away from Coopers Chase by requesting a lift to the animal shelter. However, Ibrahim seems intractable, declaring, “Just for once, Joyce, this is a problem you cannot fix” (405). The narrative does not reveal how Joyce changes his mind but soon after, they travel to the rescue center. The achievement is another example of Joyce’s emotional intelligence.

During the car journey, the theme of mortality is returned to as Joyce and Ibrahim debate their views on death. Ibrahim argues, “Everything is about death” (406), as our mortality shapes how we view life. However, Joyce wins the debate when she counters that if death is ever-present, it becomes insignificant. Her viewpoint summarizes the novel’s largely optimistic portrayal of aging and mortality.

Joyce’s diary entry in Chapter 72 describes Ibrahim’s ongoing rehabilitation as he attempts to train her dog. The narrative hints that Joyce may also be moving toward a closer relationship with her daughter when she reveals that Joanna is due to visit with her new boyfriend. The diary entry poses a final enigma when Joyce mentions the diamonds, declaring that their location is “just between Elizabeth, Ibrahim, Ron and me” (412).

A future romance between Bogdan and Donna is indicated in Chapter 81 when Bogdan confides in Stephen. His fear of asking Donna on a date reveals a new, vulnerable aspect of Bogdan’s character. During this chapter, Elizabeth returns from a trip to Antwerp, and the reason for the visit is not disclosed. In the final chapter, it becomes clear that she has visited Franco to sell the diamonds.

The final two chapters return to the symbol of the diamonds as we see the good that has finally emerged from them. Lance’s third-person viewpoint in Chapter 83 reveals that the two diamonds he stole have transformed his life and his feelings of failure. The money from the gems solves both his housing issue and his embarrassment over his thinning hair. Joyce’s positive influence is again highlighted as we learn that she sent Lance the hair transplant details. Meanwhile, Chapter 84 reveals that Elizabeth donated the money from the sale of the diamonds to the charity Living With Dementia.

The novel’s concluding chapter brings the narrative full circle as it returns to the character of Sylvia Finch, introduced in the Prologue. The concluding paragraphs clarify Sylvia’s role in the novel and finally reveal the title’s meaning. Sylvia’s late husband Dennis is the “man who died twice,” as he had dementia before his death. Sylvia’s loss is described as two bereavements. “Gone to dementia, then gone for ever” (419).