This is how we are human by Louise Beech #Review #Giveaway

 

Today we have another wonderful book from Louise Beech, This Is How We Are Human. I also have a great giveaway with the chance to win a print copy of this novel. Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post. 

Sebastian James Murphy is twenty years, six months and two days old. He loves swimming, fried eggs and Billy Ocean. Sebastian is autistic. And lonely. Veronica wants her son Sebastian to be happy, and she wants the world to accept him for who he is. She is also thinking about paying a professional to give him what he desperately wants.

Violetta is a high-class escort, who steps out into the night thinking only of money. Of her nursing degree. Paying for her dad’s care. Getting through the dark.

 When these three lives collide, and intertwine in unexpected ways, everything changes. For everyone.

Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, This Is How We Are Human is a powerful, moving and thoughtful drama about a mother’s love for her son, about getting it wrong when we think we know what’s best, about the lengths we go to care for family and to survive.

 “Though This is How We Are Human is fiction, the premise was inspired by my friends, 20-year-old Sean, who is autistic, and his mum Fiona. Fiona had spoken to me about how much Sean longed to meet a girl and have sex. No one talks about this, she said - the difficulties navigating romance often faced by those on the spectrum. It’s an issue that I wanted to explore. Fiona and Sean encouraged me and guided me through the book; Sean regularly consulted on dialogue, rightly insisting that his voice was heard, was strong, and was accurate. I cannot thank my extraordinary friends enough for their help and support.” Louise Beech

My Thoughts

I love how Louise Beech writes in different genres. Certainly, I was fascinated with the subject matter of This Is How We Are Human and to discover that she has consulted a family with similar issues. There is an authenticity in the writing which shines through. The novel makes you think about the decisions which its central characters make. There is a sensitivity in the writing which means that there are no judgements made.

    Sebastian, Veronica and Violetta all have a vulnerability about them. However, they carry on in a determined way to try to solve their problems. On the periphery, they nevertheless keep trying to make a better future for themselves. Sebastian has no social filters but still exerts his own logic to make sense of his world. Veronica and Violetta have a protective and compassionate side. At times, you glimpse the cruelty of others. Despite Sebastian's particular differences, you are always aware that he has the same needs as everyone else and the underlying message, that underneath it all, we are all human with the same problems and needs, comes over loud and clear.

In short: A layered and nuanced depiction of the human condition.   

About the Author

Louise Beech is an exceptional literary talent, whose debut novel How To Be Brave was a Guardian Readers’ Choice for 2015. The follow-up, The Mountain in My Shoe was shortlisted for Not the Booker Prize. Both of her previous books Maria in the Moon  and  The  Lion  Tamer  Who  Lost  were  widely  reviewed,  critically  acclaimed  and number-one bestsellers on Kindle. The Lion Tamer Who Lost was shortlisted for the RNA Most Popular Romantic Novel Award in 2019. Her 2019 novel Call Me Star Girl won Best magazine Book of the Year, and was followed by I Am Dust.

You can follow Louise here: Twitter   |  Website 

Book link: Amazon UK 

Thanks to Louise Beech, and Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.  

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Giveaway (UK only)

To win a print copy of This Is How We Are Human, just Follow and Retweet the pinned Tweet at @bookslifethings and good luck!

  Closing date is June 16th 2021 and there is one winner.

*Terms and Conditions –UK only.  The winner will be selected at random via Tweetdraw from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.