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Review : Song for Ria by Michelle Shine

We’re delighted to be sharing Elena’s thoughts about Song for Ria by Michelle Shine.

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book cover for Song for Ria by Michelle Shine.  The silhouette of a woman is walking along the tideline
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ RedDoor Press (13 Jun. 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1913062996
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1913062996

Talented composer Alison Connaught has spent her career writing music for big names, but when her actress daughter, Ria, dies from an overdose, Alison is numb and can no longer compose.

Haunted by the feeling that she has somehow let Ria down, Alison searches for answers, first during an intense stay with a Hopi shaman and then by travelling to Hollywood to try to piece together the many parts of Ria’s life that have so far eluded her.

As she meets her daughter’s friends, colleagues and therapists, Alison finally begins to understand the realities of Ria’s life, opening the door to self expression and a different kind of music, inspired by stirred/raw feelings and the spirit of Ria.

Michelle Shine’s skill as a storyteller brings Alison’s thoughts and actions to life in this visceral and deeply moving tale of grief, regret and ultimately, hope.

Book Review

Alison is an award winning composer who is grieving the loss of her daughter Ria from ‘accidental suicide’. Ria was an award-winning actress who had everything to live for, so why would she want to give it all up? Ali is baffled, heartbroken, grieving and trying hard to save her marriage as a result. Her obsession with trying to find out about the last few months of her daughter’s life are consuming her and creatively she’s stuck, with inspiration eluding her.

In order to try and work through her grief so she can move on, she goes to stay with a shaman in America then with a Hopi sister. She’s trying hard to feel a sense of normality again and she’s desperate to go back to England and save her marriage but she needs to understand her daughter’s last few months and connects with people who had contact with her to try and gain some clarity.

Song for Ria is completely heart-breaking in that as a mother I don’t want to imagine being in Alison’s position.

I feel as though I would be going through the exact same feelings as her and really hoped she would find some peace as well as the missing parts of her daughter’s life in the lead up to her death.

I thought her husband could have been a little more understanding of her need to delve into Ria’s life but in the end I was left with a sense of hope despite all the pain and loss.

Song for Ria is a beautifully written book that captures the heart.

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Michelle Shine was born in London in 1956 and lives in Hampstead. She is the author of Mesmerised, a historical novel about the Impressionists, narrated by their friend, fellow artist, doctor and homeopath, Paul Gachet, and The Subtle Art of Healing which was long listed for the Cinnamon Press novella award in 2007. Her short stories have appeared in Liars League, Grey Sparrow, Ephiphany and several collections. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck.

Twitter @MichelleShine15

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I'm passionate about helping others to find a centre of calm. On my mental well-being journey I've qualified in different 'therapies' including Mindfulness and as a Mental Health First Aider.  I took my love of crochet one step further too with a crochet diploma.  Join me on:  Substack | Twitter  |   Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  LinkedIn  |  Threads Read More Behind the Scenes

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