The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne is a novel by bestselling author Freya North. It follows the quirky and eccentric Eadie Browne as she navigates life, love, and loss.
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Book Blurb
Eadie Browne is an odd child with unusual parents, living in a strange house neighbouring the local cemetery. Bullied at school – but protected by her two best friends Celeste and Josh, and her many imaginary friends lying six feet under next door – Eadie muddles her way through.
Arriving in Manchester as a student in the late 1980s, Eadie confronts a busy, gritty Victorian metropolis a far cry from the small Garden City she’s left behind. Soon enough she experiences a novel freedom she never imagined and it’s seductive. She can be who she wants to be, do as she pleases, and no one back home needs to know. As Manchester embraces the dizzying, colourful euphoria of Rave counterculture, Eadie is swept along, blithely ignoring danger and reality. Until, one night, her past comes hurtling at her with ramifications which will continue into her adult life.
Now, as the new Millennium beckons, Eadie is turning 30 with a marriage in tatters. She must travel back to where she once lived for a funeral she can’t quite comprehend.
The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne Review: My Opinion
I really enjoyed The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne. It’s a nostalgic, heartfelt read that takes the reader right back to the Manchester of the late ‘80s and ‘90s.
As a northerner myself, I’ve heard plenty of stories about the famous Hacienda and the “Madchester” era, and Freya North captures that time so well, you feel like you’re right there with Eadie.
The story tackles some heavy topics including bullying, drugs, homelessness, and addiction, but it never feels overwhelming. Freya North manages to balance the darkness with plenty of warmth and humour, making it a really engaging read.
I loved the character of Eadie. She is eccentric, but in a way that feels real, not forced or annoying like some quirky characters can be. You can see why she’s the way she is, and you can’t help but love her.
I also really appreciated the supporting characters, including her best friends, Celeste and Josh, and her unusual companions at the cemetery next door. They all add so much heart to the story.
Some of the scenes at the cemetery were among my favourites in the whole book. The way Eadie talks to those buried there adds a sweet, whimsical touch, and the people she befriends, like Michael, the elderly man who tidies the graves, and Ross, the bagpiper at funerals, provide her comfort when she’s being bullied at school.
I loved how the peaceful, quiet setting of the cemetery contrasted with the busy, gritty atmosphere of Manchester. It highlights Eadie’s inner world beautifully, grounding her in a place that feels safe despite the chaos around her.
Overall, The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne is a beautifully written coming of age story with a difference, full of warmth, depth and heart.