Friday 25 January 2013

'A Song for Jenny' a book worth reading.

In 2012 I read 67 books plus the  Bible and various other sewing, quilting and gardening books..

This is one of the first books I have read in this year and what a book!

`A Song for Jenny ` is a mother's account of her life for five weeks and six days - from a beautiful summer’s  morning until her daughter Jenny’s funeral.
It started with a phone call, interrupting her holiday in the family holiday home on Anglesey, from her other daughter to say that Jenny wasn’t answering her phone and that there had been some explosions in London that morning.
At first they all held the hope that Jenny was busy at work and couldn’t answer her phone. But her boyfriend could get her on the phone either and her office reported that she hadn’t arrived. Julie and the family found out four days after that morning, that suicide bombers had taken the life of Julie's daughter. 51 other innocent people also lost their lives and many were injured and maimed on that summer morning July 8th in 2005 
The book is so descriptive and beautifully written, that I could have been standing in Julie's shoes looking out of the window that morning watching the birds and remembering family holidays gone by; but then, of course, she takes us with her into the waiting, the hope, despair, the anger, the disbelief and the guilt for being so focused on the one child who had gone. Julie's description of the pain and longing is heart wrenching to read but with equal skill brings Jenny to life on the page; this beautiful and vivacious daughter. Even though the account concludes with Jenny's funeral, the reader knows that Julie must have Jenny very securely in her heart to have written this and that gives us hope.
That a mother can survive the loss of her daughter in such terrible circumstances and go on to write such a moving account of the experience is an inspiration to us all.
Once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down and there were many times when my eyes filled with tears. Even though you know the outcome, I recommend that this book is worth reading, because until you do you can never understand or realise the actual effects that these dreadful acts have on those who remain behind after a loved one is taken so suddenly.
 

4 comments:

Giovanna said...

I'm not sure I would manage to read a book like this one - so heart-wrenching. And I have very fond memories of London, which would also make my approach very hesitant. But thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Leslie: said...

I'm not sure I could get through it because I'd be thinking of my own daughters. One of my daughters has been close to death a few times, and I just cannot imagine the grief - it would be worse than losing my first husband! But I do applaud the author for being able to write the book...maybe one day I could read it.

Julie said...

I think I would be needing the tissue box if I read this one.

Fiona said...

Sounds like a very moving book. Will give it a try, hopefully I will have the strength to read it all.