Shapely

The Shapely hospice is symbolic of loss. Throughout the novel, Ash is forced to spend the majority of her time in this setting as she watches her best friend slowly die. The setting therefore compels her into acquaintance with loss, and eventually towards acceptance and renewal.

The Cake

The Cake Edi craves throughout the novel is symbolic of longing. Although she ate The Cake decades prior, Edi remembers loving it so much that Ash goes in search of the recipe on her behalf. The Cake is a representation of the memories, the life, and the experiences Edi longs to savor as she nears her death.

Lists

The lists Ash finds in her coat pocket at the novel's end symbolize grief. Ash originally made the lists so she could remember what Edi needed and what she could bring to her at the hospice. She therefore holds onto...