Welcome to my review of Daffodils by Louise Beech. This is a memoir of Beech’sBeech’s life. I spoke to her before its release, and she very kindly provided me with a copy for review. Understandably she was very nervous about its release as it’s not her usual form of fiction, not fiction at all, in fact. Unlike her typical books, this one has only been released as an audiobook. However, I was lucky enough to receive a written copy. I also listened to the audio reproduction, as I was interested in how it was narrated, so this review applies to both.
Louise has revealed the harrowing story in which she reflects on her life and the bridge incident that shook her family to the core.
Content warning: suicide.
2019. Dawn. The River Humber. A misty February walk. Surprise early daffodils. A picture taken. Then forgotten. Because five hours later, my world shattered.
My mother jumped off the Humber Bridge. Had those yellow flowers not delayed me, I might have been there. Could I have stopped her?
In the aftermath of this violent act, I turned to my writing, to my beloved siblings, to our only uncle. I was forced to look at events that led to this suicide attempt. At relationships wrecked by alcoholism. At chronic depression. At our care records. At my childhood. At my mother. At buried trauma never fully explored before. At myself….
When I much later found the picture of those surprise daffodils, I knew it was time to write about that day. I began typing the story that inspired so many of my fictional characters, that shaped the testing things they endured.
My own story.
Louise’s debut novel, How to be Brave, was a Guardian Readers’ pick in 2015 and a top ten bestseller on Amazon. The Mountain in my Shoe longlisted for the Guardian’s Not The Booker Prize 2016. The Sunday Mirror called Maria in the Moon ‘quirky, darkly comic, original and heartfelt’. It was also a Must Read in the Sunday Express and a Book of the Year at LoveReadingUK. The Lion Tamer Who Lost was described as ‘engrossing and captivating’ by the Daily Express. It also shortlisted for the RNA’s Romantic Novel of the Year and longlisted for the Polari Prize 2019. Call Me Star Girl hit number one on Kobo. It also longlisted for the Not The Booker Prize and won the Best magazine Big Book Award 2019. This Is How We Are Human was a Clare Mackintosh August Book of the Month 2021. Memoir Daffodils is published in audiobook 1st April, and novel Nothing Else is published in June.
Link to her website.
Daffodils is a beautiful memoir of Louise Beech’sBeech’s life from a small child to more recently. It chronicles her life with her siblings living with a mother who was an alcoholic, a chronic depressive and attempted suicide. It’s not a cheerful, happy story, and it’s obvious why she was nervous about sharing such a personal memoir.
Daffodils starts with a chilling opening scene with her mother jumping off the Humber Bridge. What follows is profoundly moving, an exploration of Beech’sBeech’s childhood, how things affected her and her siblings and the resulting confusion. This is a harrowing account of a family torn apart and an inspiring look at Beech’s natural maternal instinct; caring for her siblings, protecting and nurturing them during such difficult times. However, then onto an uplifting account, offering hope to many who have been in similar situations.
I enjoyed Louise Beech’sBeech’s previous novel, This is how we are Human, but while this is a memoir, her writing skill shows throughout. This provides a beautifully written account that includes care records, excerpts of letters, poetry and, on occasion, almost a stream of consciousness. I only hope this was a therapeutic undertaking as it certainly feels like it to read or listen to.
While it feels wrong to say, I loved the dark humour and banter between the siblings, a coping mechanism, no doubt. They have not had it easy, but they have emerged with dignity, compassion and love.
I can only admire Louise Beech’sBeech’s bravery in sharing this often raw and no doubt traumatic account of her childhood. Writing it as therapy is one thing, but releasing it to the world and lying yourself bare is incredibly brave. I don’t even have the words to describe how this must feel. The bravery has paid off, though, this is an excellent memoir, inspiring to anyone who has been in a remotely similar situation, giving hope to thousands of people, perhaps especially young people who need to hear that things can work out, that bad experiences can be overcome, and good relationships are possible despite a bad start.
Well done Louise, this is excellent. I feel immensely privileged to have spoken to you and had the opportunity to review this for you. all opinions are my own and have not been influenced.
I will never look at daffodils again without thinking of you. Sometimes, when we view successful authors, everything appears to be so easy for them, but this shows not to judge a book by its cover. Always be kind as you have no idea what a person is going through and that there is always hope for a better future.
Daffodils is only available as an audiobook, but I hope it will be available in other formats shortly. Lesley Harcourt does a brilliant job of narrating this book and has a lovely soothing voice.
Thanks again to Louise Beech for a unique opportunity to review this and read such a profound book.
| Title | Daffodils |
| Author | Louise Beech / Narrator Lesley Harcourt |
| Series | N/A |
| Format | Audiobook |
| Page Count | 316 Pages |
| Genre | Memoir |
| Publisher | Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd |
| Release Date | 1st April 2022 |
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