Smithereens: Aquitaine, Scotland and Other Meanderings.

The title of the book Smithereens captures the grief caused by the death of Sharon, the author's best friend. However, this is not a misery memoir. It is about wringing the most out of our short lives! The book is intended to be complementary to Basia Gordon's first published memoir, From the River to the Sea: Aquitaine, A Place for Me. It covers events in 2021 and 2022, but flits back and forth during this period. Both volumes of memoirs feature the same characters and follow the same structure. They have many themes in common, such as house renovation, linguistic limbering in French and the Scottish vernacular, Brexit, political activism, local history, nature, literature, friendship, food, and wine. In this volume, the emphasis is looking towards Aquitaine from Scotland, with topics covered including the local history of Glasgow, COP 26, and the Hebrides. The author continues to travel a great distance in her mind, despite lives and movement being restricted by Covid.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 28 June 2023
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

The title of the book "Smithereens" aptly captures the profound grief experienced by the author due to the untimely passing of their best friend, Sharon. However, it goes beyond being a mere misery memoir. At its core, this book is a celebration of life, urging readers to make the most of the precious time we have. While it can be read as a standalone companion to Basia Gordon's first memoir, "From the River to the Sea: Aquitaine, A Place for Me," it offers a unique perspective that can be appreciated independently. The book spans events from 2021 to 2022, occasionally dipping back and forth within that timeframe. Both memoirs share a vibrant, life-affirming tone and are filled with humorous moments that will have readers laughing out loud.

The characters featured in both volumes of memoirs remain consistent, and the structure of the books follows a similar pattern. They explore a wide range of themes, including house renovation, language learning in French and Scottish vernacular, the impact of Brexit, political activism, local history, nature, literature, friendship, food, and wine. In this particular volume, the author shifts their focus from Aquitaine in France to Glasgow, Scotland, offering a distinct viewpoint. Topics covered include Glasgow's local history, the COP 26 climate conference, and the picturesque Hebrides. While the ducks and hunters of Aquitaine are replaced by swans and canal-life in Glasgow, COVID-19 restrictions impose limitations on lives and movement. Nevertheless, the author's mind continues to travel vast distances, transcending the physical boundaries imposed by the pandemic.

In conclusion, "Smithereens" is a captivating and uplifting memoir that explores the depths of grief and the joys of living. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone companion to Gordon's earlier work, it also stands on its own as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of finding meaning and purpose in the face of adversity. Whether you are seeking inspiration, laughter, or a deeper understanding of the human experience, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 135 x 215 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803136967