Days of Wonder - Keith Stuart

Description:

Tom, single father to Hannah, is the manager of a tiny local theatre. On the same day each year, he and its colourful cast of part-time actors have staged a fantastical production just for his little girl, a moment of magic to make her childhood unforgettable.

But there is another reason behind these annual shows: the very first production followed Hannah's diagnosis with a heart condition that both of them know will end her life early. And now, with Hannah a funny, tough girl of fifteen on the brink of adulthood, that time is coming.

With the theatre under threat of closure, Hannah and Tom have more than one fight on their hands to stop the stories ending. But maybe, just maybe, one final day of magic might just save them both.

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What a wonderful book!  I did wonder if Days of Wonder would be as good as Keith Stuart's first novel,  A Boy Made of Blocks (one of my favourite books) but it is just as enjoyable.  You can read my review of A Boy Made of Blocks HERE.

It's a story about Tom, a single father and manager of a small provincial theatre and Hannah his 15 year old daughter who was diagnosed with a serious heart condition at the age of 5. Tom and Hannah tell their story in alternating chapters supported by a wonderful cast of characters – mainly members of the local drama group who are like Tom and Hannah's extended family having always been there for Tom and his daughter. It's Tom and these friends who make the magic happen for Hannah.

Hannah knows her health is failing and her life could be cut short at any moment. Not only is Tom worrying about his daughter, his theatre is threatened with closure. While Tom is constantly worrying about Hannah she just wants to be like a normal teenager and do the things young people do. She also wants her dad to find a girlfriend so he will have someone when Hannah is no longer around. Her efforts to set her dad up with someone are very funny.

It didn't take long for me to become hooked. Keith Stuart has a great writing style, easy to read and yet there is so much in it. I felt as if I knew the characters and I would have loved to have been part of the group.

It's a story of fathers and daughters, friendship, love, family, community. The words that come to mind are: funny, tragic, joyous, glorious, triumphant, magical, heart warming and more. It brings out lots of emotions.

You might think that given the nature of Hannah's medical condition and her prognosis it could all turn out rather depressing. It's anything but. It's wonderful. (And it's a book I will definitely read again!) 

Publication date (hardcover and kindle)  - 7 June 2018

[My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital review copy]

I can see clearly now …..

Well…. in one eye at least!

This isn’t a book review but I suppose it has a connection to reading.  I just have to share my joy.  I can see again!

In the second half of last year I noticed that I was losing focus when I was reading.  I usually get through books very quickly but these disappearing words were slowing me down.  I already knew from a previous eye examination that there were signs of early cataract in both eyes but they were so small as to make little or no difference to my sight.

I was pretty sure that this was no longer the case so I booked an eye test which showed that the cataract was the cause of my problem and was prescribed new glasses.  Unfortunately the new glasses didn’t help so in February my optician wrote a referral to the hospital.  I live in the UK and the eye test and hospital referral are covered by the NHS (in my case NHS Scotland) but I expected it might be a while before I would get an appointment.

However I got a letter giving me a pre-assessment appointment in April and the next day I got a letter confirming I would be offered cataract surgery within 12 weeks.  Lo and behold I got the appointment letter last Saturday and I had the surgery on Friday – just two months after my initial hospital visit.

Arrived at the hospital for 9 am and was out before 11 am.  There was a moment when I almost didn’t go through with it.  Just before my turn the surgeon called my name and took me into a room to speak to me.  He just wanted to confirm that I understood that because of an issue with my corneas (that I was unaware of) I was at greater risk of permanent damage to the cornea during the cataract surgery and I could lose the sight in that eye. I was shocked to say the least.  I am pretty sure I would have remembered if someone had told me that at the pre-assessment!  It certainly wasn’t something I wanted to hear just before going into surgery.  Anyway he went off to deal with his next patient on the list and I had a serious think and when he came back said I had decided to go ahead.

The actual procedure didn’t take long.  I don’t think it was any longer than 15 minutes and possibly less – and it was painless.  More importantly, it had gone to plan.  A clear plastic shield was taped over my eye, I was taken round to another area and given a cup of coffee and biscuits.  A nurse spoke to me about aftercare, gave me two bottles of eye drops with instructions on how often to use them and I was free to go.  I was glad that part was over.

By the time I got downstairs, even with the eye shield, I already felt things were brighter and clearer but I was to keep the shield on until the next morning then start using the drops.

The effect the next morning was amazing. It was as if everything was in high definition and so much brighter.  I could read the number plates of the cars in the car park, the wooded areas around my house now have depth.  I hadn’t realised how much better my eyesight could be.  I was ecstatic.  I couldn’t quite believe it.  I kept looking out of the window.  I couldn’t stop smiling. Remember this was just 24 hours after the surgery.  At the back of my mind I know there could still be complications over the next few weeks but today, Sunday, things are wonderful.  I’m still smiling.

The National Health Service gets a lot a criticism but I am just so grateful to NHS Scotland and the Golden Jubilee National Hospital.  I understand in the USA basic cataract surgery can cost $3000 – $3500 (although hopefully medical insurance pays for some of this).  Paying privately in the UK is not cheap either.  In Scotland however we get this free at the point of delivery.  Thank you NHS Scotland.