Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block begins, “All her life, Mabel Tanadi has always had a fear of – not so much death as much as situations that eventually lead to death.” (p. 1). What did you think of this opening? What was your opinion of her list of anxieties? Do you ever have similar worries?
Perhaps Mebel’s fears were based on her relationship with Henk. She was happy, had everything. She had a loving son and grandchildren. All too good to be true?
Of course I have similar worries. Just yesterday I was walking into the grocery store and I felt a sharp sting in my shoulder blade. My first thought was what if I die in the middle of the store? I felt no one around me cared I was about to die! I few minutes later I realized it was a bee sting.
Ok…so maybe my reaction was a little harsh 
but I thought “I hope this isn’t another neurotic woman book.”
Beyond my basic health, I try not to worry about different ways I could die, especially things out of my control or irrational fears (sharks in the pool?!?). I prefer to focus on ways that I can live my best life.
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Haha, I know what you mean, @Gabi_J!
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I had forgotten all about that as an opening. And I thought it was quite an attention grabber at the time. But it is very disconnected from the rest of the book.
As someone who had my first panic attack at 11 years old, and has a life of inherited panic disorder. Yes. Yes, I have felt that.
I thought that it was an interesting means of introducing Mebel’s inner voice. This voice felt almost as if it was a character in and of itself who conveyed Mebel’s expectations, challenged her beliefs, encouraged her growth, and enabled our understanding.