Captivating story Byrski’s best so far

A Month of Sundays

THE WOMEN DEVELOP UNEXPECTED FRIENDSHIPS AS THEY ENCOURAGE AND AFFIRM EACH OTHER, NOT ONLY THROUGH READING, BUT ALSO DURING THE EVERYDAY HAPPENINGS AND PERSONAL ADVENTURES WHICH OCCUR WHILST IN THE MOUNTAINS.

AUTHOR: Liz Byrski PUBLISHER: Pan Macmillan RRP: $32.99 REVIEWER: Annie Hartland

THANK you Liz Byrski for this beautiful and captivating novel, which so many readers will immediately and enthusiastically relate to.

Much of the story takes place at a charming, alluring old house in the Blue Mountains. Four very different women, having known each other for several years only through an online Book Club, agree to meet for the first time.

Ros, from Sydney, a professional cellist, initially seems abrupt and outspoken.

Judy, owns a busy wool shop in Mandurah and successfully promotes her knitting videos.

Simone, from Hobart, is a recently retired French teacher and a passionate yoga instructor.

Adele, lives in Adelaide, is soon to retire as a company director, and it is she who has been invited to house-sit in the Blue Mountains, thus creating the opportunity for the group to finally meet face-to-face.

Each woman is to bring a significant book, one which will tell the group more about themselves.

They are to also provide a copy of the book for the others to read.

The diversity of the women provides a richness in the stories they have chosen to share and offers each one clarity and insight.

The book reading leads to a door opening a whole spectrum of emotional challenges for them all.

The women develop unexpected friendships as they encourage and affirm each other, not only through reading, but also during the everyday happenings and personal adventures

which occur whilst in the mountains. And the ongoing impact of this time together becomes life- changing for them all.

I was immediately engaged with this well-crafted story and saw myself often as it unfolded. It is a novel very much (as the author says) “a demonstration of the human condition, telling us who we are”.

A particular bonus is the introduction of further interesting books to read as each woman shares her chosen book. It caused me to ponder on which book would I choose to tell my story?

It is thoroughly enjoyable, thought provoking and “reflects us back to ourselves”. For me, this is Liz Byrski’s best book so far. Enjoy!