One of my favorite Authors is back!
From Author Lucy Irvine:
“If anything links the tropical island and Bulgarian stories, it’s the theme of individuals or couples living among, rather than with, those of another culture. People on peripheries or in a state of transition. People not quite belonging or not belonging at all.”
I have posted about Author Lucy Irvine before: her classic non-fiction “Castaway” is a fascinating memoir of a year on a deserted island with a man she just met:
She then wrote an amazing memoir of a year on a different South Seas island with her two sons…telling the story of another family’s life on a tropical island:
“Cherries” Is Here!
And now, Irvine returns with a new work this time fiction!
Pothole Press in the UK has just released Lucy’s new book of short fiction, and it is terrific! As the Author’s quote above states, it’s a series of stories about:
“people not quite belonging or not belonging at all.”
And if you know the real-life story of Lucy Irvine, that is very true! More on that in a moment, but first, here is a recent publicity shot of the Author:
Irvine’s writing style is distinct, emotionally revealing, and illuminating as well. And don’t believe me, hear for yourself! Here is a short youtube clip of the Author reading from the book!
Here’s how Amazon US describes this great collection of short stories:
“It’s a long time since Lucy Irvine’s autobiographical works, “Castaway”, “Runaway”, and “Faraway”, and her novel “One on One” were published. These books were well received and went on to be best sellers. “Castaway” was made into a block buster movie starring Amanda Donohoe and Oliver Reed.
Since those early days Lucy has brought up a family and now lives the single good life in a yurt in a small Balkan village in Bulgaria. And it is here that she has written her collection, Cherries and other stories. Lucy’s stories draw on her experiences in her early life in Scotland, her time in the South Seas, and in her present home in Bulgaria. Her unique eye gives us an insight, through these stories, into the cultures in which she has lived, and is now living.
In the darkly playful tale, “Power Shifts in Paradise”, the trials and tribulations of a remote Solomon Islands Trader suffering from cabin fever, contrasts with “Cherries”, a story about the relationship between an expat woman and a Roma matriarch in a Bulgarian village.
The deeply moving “Elders”, highlights the experience of ageing in a UK Residential Home with that in the Outer Solomon Islands. And the awkward home truths of a single mother raising her children on a remote Scottish Island in “Island Exorcism” when a former lover visits, all bring Lucy’s storytelling skills to the foreword.”
Lucy Irvine Needs Your Support!
Recently, the Author has been living in a Yurt in rural, impoverished Bulgaria, helping villagers deal with the stray dog problem in the area…unfortunately her yurt – and all of the Author’s belongings – were destroyed in a fire…
You can help Lucy out! Of course, buy the new collection of stories on iTunes bookstore or from the publisher’s website. Also, check out the fundraising campaign started by her son by clicking here:
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/4qSQ3
And now, here is a look at Lucy’s fascinating life, which she has documented in her bestselling works of non-fiction!
The Brilliant “Faraway”!
I am a HUGE fan of Lucy Irvine’s work: her most recent book was “Faraway”, an amazing true-life adventure on a south seas island…read all about it by clicking on my original story here:
https://johnrieber.com/2014/05/05/faraway-lucy-irvines-castaway-sequel-more-amazing-island-escapes/
And of course, that story will also link you to my original story of Lucy Irvine’s “Castaway”, an equally brilliant piece of non-fiction….click here to read about her “Runaway” memoir – support them all and support Lucy, too!
And follow along with all of her good causes by “liking” her Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucy-Irvine/387523681385725
Kudos to Lucy Irvine, and congratulations on the publication of the new book!
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johnrieber 
You don’t say when Her Yurt was burned down. I don’t find any follow-up on her after the fire. I don’t see how much was collected for her rebuild.
I have loved her book – Castaway – and have kept it since it was released, and re-read a couple times since.
It would love to hear an update on her.
Thanks so much.
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Doreen, the fire happened shortly before I posted the story. She has rebuilt and has a fan page on Facebook where she regularly updates on things…if you can, find her book “Faraway” which is also fascinating!
Thanks for the note!
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