Description:
'The Child Who Spoke with Her Eyes' is the story of love overcoming tragedy.
Brief description: Sue Stern was born in London but has lived in Manchester since she was five. She has kept diaries from the age of twelve and these, plus an outline of Vanessa's life written in 1978, provided rich material for this memoir. She has published poetry and short fiction in literary magazines in Britain and America. Her poems have won or been placed in several international competitions including: the Bridport Prize, The Yorkshire Post Poem for Peace and the annual poetry contest of Lilith, a New York Jewish feminist journal. 'Babyday', her first novel, with its touch of magic realism, was long listed in the Myslexia novel competition 2009 and will appear in 2020. Deeply affected by her radical upbringing, Sue often explores themes of alienation in her work, as seen in her forthcoming historical novel: 'How I Broke Mama's Commandments', set in Edwardian London and inspired by the life of her Russian anarchist grandmother. Sue gained an MA in novel writing from the prestigious Writing School, at Manchester Metropolitan University, and then published a middle-grade novel, 'Rafi Brown and the Candy Floss Kid' 2102 A large print version of this was produced by the Royal National Institute of the Blind, and The Child Who Spoke with Her Eyes is currently being considering for their adult library. Sue has taught EFL and French, and courses in 'Jewish and Muslim women's Life and Lifestyle', and Jewish Literature, in the Continuing Education Department of Manchester University www.suestern-writer.co.uk https: //www.facebook.com/suesternwriter/
Review Quotes:
A moving and finely written account of motherhood, the challenges of caring for a disabled child and the quest for identity" CATH STAINCLIFFE, award winning novelist, radio playwright and creator of ITV's hit series Blue Murder
"An unforgettable portrait of a mother who awakens to her spiritual identity and purpose while caring for her special needs child. A poignant, powerful, inspirational read."MARY SHARRATT, critically-acclaimed historical novelist, author of Ecstasy
"Trul "y compelling" MARNIE RICHES, award-winning, best-selling author of the George Mackenzie crime series
"This story touched my heart" SOPHIE CLAIRE, author of HER FORGET ME NOT EX
"Inspiring, life affirming" ANJUM MALIK, poet, dramatist, lecturer at the 'Writing School' MMU