Wavewalker: Breaking Free

Wavewalker is a memoir by Suzanne Heywood, who, at seven years old, set sail with her parents and brother on a three-year voyage around the world. What began as an adventure turned into a decade-long way of life, filled with storms, shipwrecks, reefs, and isolation. Suzanne fought her parents, longing to return to England and to education and stability. This memoir covers her astonishing upbringing, a survival story of a child deprived of safety, friendships, schooling, and occasionally drinking water. At seventeen, Suzanne earned an interview at Oxford University and returned to the UK. Wavewalker is a powerful story of resilience and determination.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

The captivating memoir "Wavewalker" has been recognized as a 2023 Times Best Memoir, capturing the hearts of readers with its gripping and vivid storytelling. Written by Suzanne Heywood, the book takes us on an incredible journey as a seven-year-old girl embarks on a three-year voyage around the world with her parents and brother. What initially began as an adventure soon transformed into a decade-long odyssey filled with storms, shipwrecks, reefs, and isolation. Suzanne's upbringing was marked by her struggle against her parents, who wanted to keep her confined to the yacht, away from education and stability.

Despite the hardships she faced, Suzanne's determination to educate herself was unwavering. She fought against her parents' wishes and managed to secure an interview at Oxford University, eventually returning to the UK at seventeen. "Wavewalker" is a powerful testament to Suzanne's resilience and her unwavering spirit. It sheds light on the consequences of midlife crises and the challenges children face when their parents prioritize their own desires over their well-being.

The book is beautifully written, with each chapter providing a vivid account of Suzanne's experiences. From the treacherous storms at sea to the isolation and deprivation she faced, the reader is transported into her world. Suzanne's story is both thrilling and horrifying, and her resilience in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.

"Wavewalker" is not just a memoir of a childhood journey; it is also a survival story. Suzanne was deprived of safety, friendships, schooling, and even drinking water at times. Her determination to overcome these obstacles and pursue her education is a testament to her strength and resilience.

The book has received widespread acclaim from critics, with many praising its powerful storytelling and its ability to evoke emotions. "A classic memoir of childhood," wrote Mail on Sunday, "this is a book that every parent should read to consider the consequences of their midlife crises, and every child should read to learn how to deal with impossible mums and dads, as well as boils and barnacles."

In conclusion, "Wavewalker" is a must-read for anyone who loves memoirs and stories of resilience. Suzanne Heywood's captivating memoir will leave you inspired, moved, and grateful for the strength of the human spirit.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 205 x 129 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008498535