La scrittura di Muriel Freeborn mira a connettersi con lettori di tutte le fasce d'età, dai giovanissimi agli anziani. Quella che iniziò come un'impresa terapeutica, ispirata dalla vita di un'amica scrittrice recentemente scomparsa, divenne un'inaspettata fonte di piacere. Il suo lavoro esplora temi che risuonano universalmente, creati con la consapevolezza delle diverse esperienze di vita. Sottolinea l'umanità condivisa e le connessioni che trascendono l'età.
Geoffrey returns home to Overdene after a lifetime of working in South Africa. His failed marriage and approaching retirement force him to consider his future and the realisation that a new aim is essential to his wellbeing.As he formulates his plans, the complications of other people and life bring their own change and considerations, and Geoffrey's path may not be exactly as he imagines it.
Muriel Freeborn has given her heroine, Ellie Hopeson, the same age as her own, ninety-one. We can safely anticipate from the surname, ‘Hopeson', that Ellie is a woman of fortitude and hope with a loving and forgiving nature. Ellie accepts the slower pace of life her age demands and uses the time released to contemplate her past. She remembers her husband, Norman, parents and sister, Patricia, long since emigrated to Australia, all now dead. She treasures the support of her neighbour, Bea, and son, Brian.A visit from Patricia's daughter, Maisie, reveals a disturbing family secret which takes some acceptance, and leads to a further visitation from Australia. However, there is a final suggestive twist! This is a peaceful read and one to inspire all of us readers, whatever our age!
Right from an early age, Susan's life revolves around her family, her friends and her piano. She needs all three and tries hard to get her priorities right, as each makes demands on her attention. She weathers busy years. Retirement finds her more relaxed and able to enjoy the company of those around her, still contributing with her music in the community. There is nothing disturbing in this book. It relates to the undulations of life we all experience. In our lives, unexpected things do happen; Susan is no exception.