A grieving woman finds healing in the Italian countryside. A young woman is invited to the wedding of her friends, Giulia and Fab. The wedding is to be held in an Italian village, where the couple currently live. Travelling by train through the Italian countryside, it is announced the journey must be delayed. An accident has happened on the tracks, possibly a fatality. The young woman, who narrates the story, is triggered. She feels a panic attack coming on. Some breathing exercises help her cope and the journey continues. When she reaches her friends' house, she feels enveloped in love and care. But grief and guilt still pursues her. Back in her home city of Melbourne, she has lost someone. A loved one has died, tragically before his time. She feels somehow she could have prevented this death, but also knows she couldn’t. Torn between grief and a desire to heal, her mind continually returns to Melbourne and memories of what happened. Sunbathing, the debut novel from writer and editor Isobel Beech, follows a pleasingly straightforward narrative. While set in the gorgeous Italian countryside (the descriptions of growing food, the locals and rustic landscape are a tonic), the story regularly weaves back to Melbourne and memories from the past. Based on a real personal loss, this is an autobiographical novel that is succinct, dignified and genuine. Its quiet honesty and empathetic tone make for a moving and cathartic experience. Sunbathing, by Isobel Beech. Published by Allen & Unwin. $29.99 Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
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