The Lullaby Illusion: A Journey of Awakening: 1 (Journeys) - Tapa blanda

Five stars: The Lullaby Illusion is a tragic and uplifting story about life, loss, and facing those things beyond which we have no control -- and figuring out which ones we do. The story traces a certain period in the life of the author when her tranquil existence in Cyprus is suddenly blown up, figuratively, but also literally, by war. The experience of coping with, surviving, and then escaping for safer ground plays out in interesting parallel with other traumatic events in Joyce's Young life -- namely, the loss of her baby and multiple miscarriages, as well as the revelation that her husband is not who she believes him to be. Joyce's relationship to her vivid dream life, as well as her artistic spirit, guide her through these tragédies to stable - and fulfilled- ground. A must read for anyone who is interested in stories that trace survival and resilience in times of duress. -Kristin Louise Duncombe Five stars: The Lullaby Illusion is an exquisitely executed memoir, which leaves you spell-bound as you follow Susan's metamorphosis; as she loses herself in her husband, the enigmatic Charles, following their dream travelling the world.Through miscarriages, betrayals and escaping war torn Cyprus to her re-awakening in Germany as an accomplished artist, Susan eloquently tells her story. The characters leap off the page, you can actually hear the dialogue, feel her fear, sadness and joy - it is easy to forget that this is a memoir and not fiction. I would love to see The Lullaby Illusion made into a film, and I hope she writes more about her life, and soon. -Janet Hughes Five stars: There is so much more to this book than the aspect I am going to rave about. So often I have read books, and seen films, that either gloss over, dramatise or make war appear heroic that I think that when this is well done, as it is in the book, it is well worth highlighting. Here is a writer who describes being caught in cross fire with al the grim realities and slightly surreal disbelief that it is happening to her. A more realistic and consequently more terrifying account I have yet to read. As for the other aspects of the book - read and find out, this lady has had quite a life. -Cuica

This carefully-crafted memoir caroms through a twelve-year period in the life of a young American woman in the Middle East and Europe. Stuck in a loveless marriage, unable to produce the child her husband demands, Susan nonetheless lives a blessed life on the island paradise of Cyprus. Until she doesn’t.From one day to the next, the island nation, divided between Greeks and Turks, goes from bliss to war. Susan, her husband, and friends are stuck in the middle of it, bullets slapping into trees around them, and bombs falling, in a UN Camp unfortunately located in a crucial mountain pass.Later, in Germany, Susan puts back together the pieces of her shattered life after the violent dissolution of her marriage. Creating batik paintings, she has successful exhibitions. Through travels and conversations, she weaves a narrative of extraordinary perception, insights, lucid dreaming, imagination, friends, and lovers. It is a journey of awakening to her own ability to create her life as she wants it, instead of being steered by the demands of others.An absolutely gripping memoir written by somebody who has that rare combination - experience of earth shattering events which turn our stomachs to water, and the writing skills to capture the whole experience ... I cannot praise it more highly. There is an immediacy and humanity to it, and a real sense of place.— Zane Stumpo (Scotland)