The Art of Unpacking Your Life

(Paperback)

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Description

Twenty years ago, they were the best of friends. When Connie invites her university gang on the holiday of a lifetime a safari in the Kalahari they have little in common anymore. Is getting them back together a terrible mistake Despite the undercurrent of tension, they are drawn into the adventure and begin to enjoy each other again, a million miles away from their daily concerns. They finally have space to explore what really matters. But a series of events and revelations bring new challenges to the group. As their lives start to unravel, they see how they are all linked together. New relationships are formed, old ones run their course, and news from home brings further tragedy. The Art of Unpacking Your Life is a beautiful book about friendship, growing up, and that, despite growing apart, your oldest friends can be the ones to sustain you through lifes greatest sadness and deepest joy.

Reviews

Jilla is a sharp and often funny interpreter of modern life and morality. -- The Times
The lush descriptions of Africa are lovely, and the story absorbing and thoughtful, with more than one twist in the tail. -- Daily Mail
The Art of Unpacking Your Life is everything womens fiction should be. Well-paced, beautifully rhythmic, deeply familiar and relevant, amid a magical backdrop. -- Meditating Mummy
This is women's fiction at its best! The characters were amazing - relatable, realistic and fascinating. The plot line was strong and will hold your attention right until the end. One of my favourite books of 2015. -- Hollie James * Librarian *
In terms of reading how close friends navigate changing landscapes of friendship, Shireen Jillas The Art of Unpacking Your Life is compelling One of the most interesting parts of the novel for those of us at BB was that men in this novel suffer in ways which we most often, unfortunately, associate with women. -- Kim Racon * Bohemian Bungery *
Excellent characters and creative story. Refreshing to read about adults who may still be figuring things out. -- Amy Steele * Entertainment Realm *
Another book that you can get lost in. With a great, engrossing plot and wonderful, memorable characters this is sure to be a hit with many, if not all readers. If you like Women's Fiction is a must read. * Goodreads *

Author Bio

Shireen Jilla was a journalist before she turned her hand to fiction. Exiled, a dark psychodrama set in New York, was published in 2011. The Art of Unpacking Your Life is her second novel. She lives with her husband and three children beside the river in west London.