Susan Elderkin is an acclaimed author celebrated for her innovative approach to teaching creative writing, guiding numerous students to publication. Her own literary works delve deeply into the human psyche with a distinctive narrative style. As a respected author and critic, she offers keen observations on the world around us, enriching the literary landscape. Both her teaching and her writing are highly valued for their originality and depth.
In this manual for grown-ups who believe that the stories which shape children's lives should not be left to chance, two noted bibliotherapists recommend the perfect children's book or every hiccup and heartache. Illustrations. 6 7/16 x 9 7/16.
'Ideal for anyone who has ever wondered what on earth to read next' S J WATSON'Witty, engaging and informative. The sort of book you choose for a friend and end up wanting to keep' RACHEL JOYCEThis is a medical handbook, with a difference. Whether you have a stubbed toe or a severe case of the blues, within these pages you'll find a cure in the form of a novel to help ease your pain. You'll also find advice on how to tackle common reading ailments - such as what to do when you feel overwhelmed by the number of books in the world, or you have a tendency to give up halfway through. When read at the right moment, a novel can change your life, and The Novel Cure is an enchanting reminder of that power.
Susan Elderkin's brilliant Sunset Over Chocolate Mountains explores our places in the lives of our loved ones and in the universe. Theobald Moon lives in a lonely corner of the Arizona desert, tending his spectacular cactus garden, his tiny mobile home, and his astounding appetite. He has fled a stifled, cardigan-and-tea-cozy life in south London for this unfamiliar country and is raising Josephine, who has known no other life than their cheerful yet isolated American one. But when a jangling ice-cream truck finds its way into the desert carrying two ill-fated lovers--a pregnant Slovakian shoemaker and a mysterious ice-cream man--it throws Theo's and Josie's careful lives into a chaotic state for which they're totally unprepared. Fantastic upheaval ensues, as well as an inspired redemption. Innovative and accessible, funny and profound, Elderkin's "beautiful, touching story" (Bookseller) explores love and responsibility, and the joys and fears such emotions inspire. It is a rare and tantalizing first novel.