Laughing and Splashing: Memories of Bouncing Through a Life of Privilege and Loss 1945 - 2010

Sue's memoir, Laughing and Splashing, follows her path from a rural childhood to living in London's most exclusive address, enjoying fine dining, opera, and art. She writes about her great-grandparents' working-class lives, farming in the first half of the twentieth century, boarding schools in the 1950s and '60s, and being an art student in Marseille and London in the '60s. Her father encouraged her to grab the moment, and she did, many of them without regret. This is a cheerful book for anyone who enjoys memoirs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 28 January 2023
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

Sue's remarkable journey is vividly captured in her captivating memoir, Laughing and Splashing: Memories of Bouncing Through a Life of Privilege and Loss 1945 - 2010. Raised by her middle-aged father following her mother's untimely passing when she was just five years old, Sue embraced the diverse tapestry of experiences afforded by her upbringing in a nearly feral rural setting and her residence in London, arguably one of the most exclusive addresses in the city. From savoring fine dining, attending operas, and immersing herself in the world of art, Sue reveled in the luxuries that came with her privileged upbringing.

In her memoir, Sue traces the path from her great-grandparents' working-class lives to her own marriage into, out of, and back into one of the great British landowning families. She delves into the early days of Farmers Weekly and farming in the first half of the twentieth century, offering a poignant glimpse into her family's history. She candidly shares her attempts to uncover information about her mother's family, revealing both the joys and challenges of her search.

The chapters that detail Sue's experiences in boarding schools during the 1950s and '60s are filled with vivid detail, painting a vivid picture of her formative years. She then moves on to describe her time as an art student in Marseille and London in the '60s, where she rebelled against societal expectations but eventually realized that conforming opened up exciting opportunities. Sue pursued a diverse range of pursuits, including foxhunting, skirting the edges of the debutante season, working in TV film production, as an agricultural interpreter, a farmer, and a historic property management consultant.

Her father's unwavering encouragement to seize every moment without regret served as a guiding force throughout Sue's life. She embraced numerous opportunities, many of which she pursued without a second thought, and yet, she remains unwavering in her belief that such experiences have shaped her into the person she is today. Laughing and Splashing is a delightful book for anyone who enjoys memoirs, offering a glimpse into the vast array of experiences that Sue has traversed. With its uplifting message, this memoir should resonate with individuals who have lost or are facing the loss of a parent, providing solace and hope that such tragedy need not be the end of the world but rather the beginning of a new and fulfilling chapter in one's life.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803135458