All I Know: A memoir of love, loss and life

(Paperback)

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Starting with a colourful childhood in Collingwood and Doncaster, under the shadow of her father's mortality, and ending in sunny Bondi, supported by a tight circle of girlfriends who got her through a death even more painful, Mary Coustas takes us on a journey through three deaths that changed her life forever. In a voice rich with big-hearted generosity and quick-witted humour, she shares with us the heartbreak, tears and gifts, and the life lessons she hopes can save us from giving in to grief, or denying a full life because of it. Anyone who has followed Mary's career in film and as the popular in-your-face TV and stage character Effie, may be shocked to learn of the trials she was going through at the time. But they won't be surprised by the love she gives out to all, and receives in return, from family and friends. By giving us an intimate view of her experiences - including meeting George, the love of her life, and their journey to parenthood - we also see the universal truth that in life there's loss and, amongst the pain and tragedy of that, there is the power of hope and humour. Mary's story of the deaths of her father, her grandmother and her daughter Stevie, and the birth of her daughter Jamie is at times heartbreaking but, ultimately, All I Know is an enriching and uplifting celebration of life.

Author Bio

Born in Melbourne, but having lived in Sydney for many years, Mary Coustas is one of Australia's best known actors and comedians. In 1987 she became a member of the ground-breaking stage show Wogs out of Work, where her comic creation Effie was born. This was followed by five seasons of the TV sitcom hit Acropolis Now. Her diverse TV, film and stage credits are numerous. In 2003 Mary wrote the self-help book for teenagers, Effie's Guide to Being Upyourself. This is her first book for adults.