The Love that Remains
This year I not only vowed to read more, but more specifically, I swore I would read more Australian authors. Even MORE specifically, authors I hadn’t read before.
As part of that goal I started following Aussie writers on social media, so that I could be more aware of books being released. During the ‘Authors For Fireys’ Twitter auction (big ups for everyone involved #amazing), through a tweet by an author I followed, I came across Susan Francis. She was auctioning a copy of her memoir ‘The Love that Remains’ along with a very nice bottle of Tempranillo.
You can imagine why this particular auction item caught my eye, given that wine is my ‘special subject’. If she’d thrown in a block of cheese, I might have proposed.
Sadly, I didn’t win that auction. Some generous person had a lot more cash on hand at the time than I did, but I vowed I would buy a copy of Susan’s book once I had gotten back on track money-wise (and stopped bulk buying on VinoMofo).
I’m so glad I found her.
Francis’ memoir about her search for identity and truth in the face of tragedy is the first book in a long time that has genuinely brought me to tears. (Honestly, the last time I cried while reading was when Dobby died. I’m still traumatised tbh).
Susan takes us on a journey to discover her true self, and it’s incredibly inspiring and courageous. Painful family interactions juxtapose against the incredible power of long term female friendships. True, all encompassing, passionate love sits side-by-side with the terrifying idea that we can never truly know ALL there is to know about the one we love.
I don’t want to say too much as #NoSpoilers.
But the one thing I WILL share is that throughout the book, Susan’s courage is quiet, understated and beautifully powerful, and guides you through a story about the human spirit and what it can endure. The story reminds me how important it is to have a sense of place. And a sense of self.
This book is now on my ‘most recommend’ list.
#NotSponsored