This Shining Life: A moving, powerful novel about love, loss and treasuring life

(Paperback)

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'A beautifully written and endlessly touching debut that's sure to tug your heartstrings.' - Phaedra Patrick. In this captivating debut novel Harriet Kline weaves together an achingly beautiful picture of love in all its forms- absent, lost and, ultimately, regained. An exquisitely beautiful and compelling novel about love, loss and life' Rachel Joyce 'This captivated me...This beautiful book shows us that grief is not a problem to solve, but an expression of love, as we watch a family come together in the most heartwarming way.' Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Edward ________________________ For Rich, life is golden. He fizzes with happiness and love. But Rich has an incurable brain tumour. When Rich dies, he leaves behind a family without a father, a husband, a son and a best friend. His wife, Ruth, can't imagine living without him and finds herself faced with a grief she's not sure she can find her way through. At the same time, their young son Ollie becomes intent on working out the meaning of life. Because everything happens for a reason. Doesn't it But when they discover a mismatched collection of presents left by Rich for his loved ones, it provides a puzzle for them to solve, one that will help Ruth navigate her sorrow and help Ollie come to terms with what's happened. Together, they will learn to lay the ghosts of the past to rest, and treasure the true gift that Rich has left them- the ability to embrace life and love every moment.

Reviews

A poignant story * Woman *
Deeply moving and empathetic ... very poignant and well-informed * NB *
Exquisitely written [with] terrific characterisation [that is] unforgettable * Irish Examiner *

Author Bio

Harriet Kline works part time registering births, deaths and marriages and writes for the rest of the week. Her story Ghost won the Hissac Short Story Competition and Chest of Drawers won The London Magazine Short Story Competition.

Other short stories have been published online with Litro, For Books' Sake, and ShortStorySunday, and on BBC Radio 4. She lives in Bristol with her partner and two teenage sons.