In 1960's Bristol a family is overshadowed by tragedy ....
While Susan, a feisty seven-year-old, is busy being brave, her mother, Eddress, is struggling for courage. Though bound by an indestructible love, their journey through a world that is darkening with tragedy is fraught with misunderstandings.
As a mother's greatest fear becomes reality, Eddress tries to deny the truth. And, faced with a wall of secrets, Susan creates a world that will never allow her mother to leave.
Set in a world where a fridge is a luxury, cars have starting handles, and where bingo and coupons bring in the little extras, Just One More Day is a deeply true-life account of how the spectre of death moved into Susan's family, and how hard they all tried to pretend it wasn't there.
...... Outer back cover.
FIRST SENTENCE (Chapter 1: Susan): I'm very brave.
MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 326): I've got my card ready to give her, and some scent I made with rose petals and water. It's in a pickled-onion jar that Gran washed out for me, because it's the only one we could find with a lid.*
MY THOUGHTS: Having had the conversation about why I didn't generally read childhood memoirs I was persuaded by a friend to read this 'very different read', a true-life story written by acclaimed author Susan Lewis.
I don't know if it was because this wasn't a read about childhood abuse OR if it was because of the way it was written but I didn't feel the usual uncomfortable stirrings I normally feel on reading this type of memoir but instead felt almost like a long lost friend/family member to whom the story was being related.
A unique read, I enjoyed the fact that it was narrated by two 'different' people - Susan Lewis did well to tell the story as she saw it both through the eyes of her mother and her 7 to 9 year old self. But what really amazed me was how Susan depicts her childhood as one of a 'little adult' and yet at the same time writes of how she was almost totally cocooned against the realities of the unfolding tragic events.
Finding myself laughing one minute and crying the next this was a real roller-coaster of a read that as well as much sadness also told a tale of a deep love.
KEEP IT OR NOT?: No, my friend would like the book back.
*Ah such happy memories, I remember making this very scent myself as a girl.
15 comments:
sound like its a pretty emotional charged book
brilliant review as usual, tracy.
i always find it interesting when a book makes me laugh one minute and cry the next!
xx
Great book review. I really like you reviews though I never read any of these books.........so far anyway
I tend to like memoirs but NOT about child abuse. This sounds like a good one! I just finished listening to Little Princes. An excellent memoir read by the author. Wonderful audiobook production and a story I won't soon forget.
I'll look for Just One More Day. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
I didn't realize this was a memoir when I first started reading your review. Not my preferred reading, but you really make this one sound very good! I'll certainly keep it in mind.
Excellent review. This memoir does sound very good.
ya..sound like emotional charged book..liked that line: "real roller-coaster of a read." and thanks tracy..
I might give this a look. Sounds pretty interesting.
Hm... looks like a book I'd really have to be in the mood to read. Sometimes I'm not good at emotional rollercoasters. However, it does sound interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Likeyou say Petty, this sounds like a roller-coaster of a read. I do enjoy the occasional memoir, so long as its not all depressing.
Mum enjoys these books. I'll have to ask if she's read this one.
It sounds like an intriguing book!
I need to check this out--I was described as a little adult that lived in a bubble and fantasy world...
This sounds like a fascinating read. I like a well-written memoir- although I don't read many of them. Great review!
~Jess
Sounds like a wonderful recollection of childhood days despite the heartache. So glad you found a book in this category that matched your reading likes Tracy!
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