And A Dog called Fig: Solitude, Connection, the Writing Life

Award-winning author Helen Humphreys' memoir explores the writing life through the dogs she has lived with, highlighting the companionship and creative powers of dogs. It touches on themes of connection, solitude, friendship, and the creative process, and includes stories of other writers and their irreplaceable companions. Every dog is different, offering unique needs and lessons.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Aurum Press

Award-winning author Helen Humphreys weaves a captivating memoir in this luminous testament to the writing life, intricately interwoven with the canine companions who have graced her life over the years. An artist's solitude is a revered sanctuary, a sanctuary that must be fiercely protected and shielded from the tumultuous turmoil of the world. Yet, within the confines of this introspective realm, there emerges a poignant blend of loneliness, self-doubt, and the risk of surrendering entirely to one's inner depths. What an artist craves is a steadfast companion, a creature perfectly suited to accompany them on this coveted yet arduous journey. They seek a soulmate with emotional intelligence, an innate curiosity, a burning passion, boundless energy, and an insatiable thirst for the wonders beyond, yet also possessing the ability to slumber peacefully for extended periods. According to Helen Humphreys, a dog embodies the ideal companion for an artist.

This profound reflection delves into themes of connection, solitude, friendship, and the creative process, culminating in the arrival of a new furry friend, Fig. A heartfelt ode to the dogs who enter our lives, carrying with them a spectrum of emotions—from sorrow to chaos, from meditation to joy—this book explores the profound essence of companionship and loss, creativity, and the writer's craft. Interwoven throughout are tales of other renowned writers and their irreplaceable companions, including Virginia Woolf and her beloved Grizzle, Gertrude Stein and her mischievous Basket, Thomas Hardy and his steadfast Wessex, who graced dinner parties with his unconventional behavior by walking atop the dining table and indulging in whatever caught his fancy. Just as every work of art possesses its unique essence, every dog emerges as a distinct individual, brimming with unique needs and invaluable lessons to impart. By allowing them to guide us, these remarkable creatures, like works of art, unlock a world of wonders that would otherwise remain hidden from our sight.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 140 x 205 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780711267145