We Are All Made of Stars- Rowan Coleman

The Blurb

Do not miss me, because I will always be with you…I am the air, the moon, the stars. For we are all made of stars, my beloved... Wherever you look, I will be there.

Stella Carey exists in a world of night. Married to a soldier who has returned from Afghanistan injured in body and mind, she leaves the house every evening as Vincent locks himself away, along with the secrets he brought home from the war.

During her nursing shifts, Stella writes letters for her patients to their loved ones - some full of humour, love and practical advice, others steeped in regret or pain – and promises to post these messages after their deaths.

Until one night Stella writes the letter that could give her patient one last chance at redemption, if she delivers it in time…

The Review

Told through scenes from multiple viewpoints and a series of letters, We Are All Made of Stars is a wonderfully evocative novel about life and love.  Rowan Coleman has an incredible talent for writing books which cover all bases- humour, romance, drama, emotion- and her latest release continues in this vein.

Stella, the nurse who writes letters for terminally ill patients, was such an endearing character, I couldn't help but warm to her.  She has this sharp perception when it comes to other people's lives, yet in her own she's almost plodding along and unable to make the changes she longs for in order to reignite her marriage. 

Through the letters Stella writes, often revealing her patients innermost thoughts and secrets, the plot of the novel slowly becomes clear, the links between the characters more apparent and the story unfolds.  That sounds a bit woolly, I know, but I don't want to spoil the beauty of this book for anyone who might be thinking about reading it!  What I will say is that We Are All Made of Stars made me want to reach out and hug everyone I love, to let them know just how much they mean to me. 

Whilst the story itself is touching, it's the letters that make this book.  Letters where parents open up to their children, where lovers share their emotions, where apologies are made for the mistakes of the past.  They are somehow both tender and hard-hitting, and that's why I sobbed uncontrollably as I read this book.  They are everything you want to say to the people you value, and everything you hope you will know when those you love die.  These letters blew my mind.

We Are All Made of Stars is an incredibly uplifting read, despite the sensitive themes.  Much like The Memory Book, this will stay with me long after the final page, and that to me is the sign of a very special novel, and a very special author.  Rowan Coleman- you little star.

The Memory Book- Rowan Coleman

I have always been a big fan of Rowan Coleman.  Her writing is exquisite, emotive, tender.  She isn't afraid to tackle difficult subjects.  Her characters are beautifully shaped, her plotlines are fresh, she writes with pace.  It's fair to say I had been quite excited about The Memory Book and it turns out I had good reason to be.

Claire is an ordinary woman.  She has two daughters.  A husband.  A sometimes overbearing mother.  She also has early onset Alzheimers.  Claire compiles a memory book full of memories and mementoes so her family will have something to remember her by.  The Memory Book tells not just Claire's viewpoint, but also that of her family, and it is this which makes it a captivating read.

There were moments when I laughed and (many) moments where I cried, right from the first page to the final crescendo.  Huge, gulping sobs, not just a silent tear which I could quietly dismiss.  I felt like my heart had been trampled on.  My stomach was churning.  I could barely swallow for the lump in my throat.  Rowan Coleman evoked all these emotions and physical responses in me through her wonderful storytelling.  Her characters were so real and true that they felt like friends, and the pain I felt for their situation was real.

It is a poignant, thought provoking and absolutely heartbreaking read, yet also incredibly uplifting.  The Memory Book is a reminder to treasure every moment with those you love.  It is incredible.  Go and read it.

The Memory Book is out now, published by Ebury.

9.5/10

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

How long does it take to write a book?

As someone who is currently attempting to write their first novel, I can't stop thinking about how long this process might take.  The blank page is scary!  I asked some inspirational authors how long it took them to write their first book.  The variations between answers may surprise you...

Cally Taylor- It took me just under 4 months to write the first draft then another 6 months or so to edit it.

Lorraine Wilson- about 3 months for the first chalet girl novella, a lot longer for a full length because I had a brain injury mid book!

Lucy Dillon- Er, about five months? It is the re-writing, re-writing and editing that take the extra time!

Rowan Coleman- About nine months, delivered just before my first child!

Sara Sheridan- 14 weeks.

Kat French- Undertaking Love took about eight months I think.

Miranda Dickinson- I was writing it for fun over seven years and then when it was signed by Avon I spent another eight months editing it.

Rebecca Raisin- 2 months to write and about six months to rewrite!

Louise Douglas- The first took about six months working in the evenings.  It was the quickest!

Mandy Baggot- About a year.

Let's just say that these responses have really encouraged me and I am realising that it really is a 'how long is a piece of string?' type question!