THE GRIEF NURSE BY ANGIE SPOTO
This haunting historical-fantasy mystery is set in an alternate reality where the pangs and pains of undesirable emotions can be removed – but only for those well-off enough to afford the services of a Grief Nurse. These skilled individuals are ‘kept’, safe but isolated, at the heart of wealthy families such as the Asters. When the Asters’ eldest son passes away, their Nurse, Lynx, is on hand to soothe away the sorrow and anguish felt by the immediate family. As guests arrive for the wake at the secluded island of Mount Sorcha, the Asters’ family seat, it’s not long before more deaths occur, and it starts to look as though someone – or something – is out to wreak havoc in this privileged family unit. The clever concept at the heart of the novel – that grief can be physically removed from an individual – is deftly explored, with frequent meditations on the nature of suffering and loss, and whether it is better to fully experience one’s emotions or have them whisked away. Angie Spoto writes beautifully, with tiny vignettes depicting connections between characters that linger in the mind long after the book’s dramatic conclusion, and astonishing descriptions of the otherworldly state that Lynx and her fellow Grief Nurses enter when removing emotion from their ‘owners’. An unexpected and affecting book, with a deeply thoughtful core premise.
Undesirable emotions can be removed – but only for those well-off enough to afford a Grief Nurse
THE GREAT OUTDOORS This collection of inspiring travel tales is a perfect read for the adventurer in your life
WILDER JOURNEYS
COMPILED BY LAURIE KING & MIRIAM LANCEWOOD If you’re planning adventures in 2023, this book should be at your bedside. Put together by Laurie King and Miriam Lancewood, it’s a unique compendium of travel tales with one thing in common: all the stories document extraordinary encounters with the natural world, sharing wisdom gleaned from wild adventures. Follow a family of sea eagles in Scotland with filmmaker and Strictly winner Hamza Yassin, spend a day hunting and gathering in New Zealand’s wilderness with Miriam Lancewood, or experience the slopes of Everest with Sophie Sung-Bin Hilaire. All these adventures and more are contained within this fabulous book, ideal for dipping in and out – or submerging yourself for a longer reading session. Featuring extracts from longer stories, standalone short tales, poems and illustrations, this is a gorgeous book and a must-buy for anyone who loves the great outdoors – or a perfect gift for someone in need of spending more time with nature.
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK APRIL 2023 23
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