A novel that explores the many varieties of love, by one of the very best contemporary writers. This magical story, told in the elevated tone of a fable, begins with a visit by a teenage boy to the home of 75-year-old Matilda. She tells him the story of her life with Feather, a man who lived by the sea and had a great affinity for birds and wild creatures. She speaks of her love for him and how, long ago, she had become pregnant but miscarried, and he left her. Her grief was inconsolable for a very long time and she longed to find Feather to ask him, "How can you know love, and lose it, and go on living without it, and not feel the loss for ever?" She eventually finds Feather and he answers her question, and in doing so helps her to deal with her overwhelming loss.

 

This book has been graded for interest at 12+ years.

This book was published 2012 by Walker Books Ltd .

Sonya Hartnett is the author of the award-winning Thursday's Child, The Silver Donkey, What the Birds See, Stripes of the Sidestep Wolf and Surrender. She lives in Australia.