June 11th is a special day in my calendar, because it’s the birthday of Thelma Daw, one of my Australian readers.
In 2010, Thelma’s daughter Corinne emailed me to say how much they both enjoyed my novel Mariana. Corinne had read it several times, but Thelma had gone beyond that. “You see,” Corinne wrote, “Mum just reads the one book. When she has finished she reads it again. I said to her, ‘Aren’t you tired of reading that same book – you must know it by heart!!!’ and she replied, ‘Every time I read it I find something I missed the last time…’ She put it away for a few weeks and I noticed last night she had started to read it again…”
That was the beginning of a lovely correspondence between us. I sent Thelma a new copy of Mariana to replace the one she was wearing out, and she sent me a video of herself explaining why she loved the story.
Thelma passed away in 2019, not long after her 95th birthday, at home with her daughter Corinne, and surrounded by love. I’m so glad that their paths crossed with mine.
And to honour Thelma on what would have been her 98th birthday, I’m giving away some copies of the book she loved so much.
Mariana, as some of you already know, is the story of a young woman who buys the house she’s long felt drawn to in the English countryside, finds her own life becoming dangerously tangled with the life of a woman who lived there three centuries before, and learns she’ll have to put the past to rest, if she’s to have a future.
It was the book that truly opened all the doors for me by winning the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize for unpublished manuscripts in 1993 – a prize that came with an international publishing contract and attracted the attention of my agents at Curtis Brown in London, who’ve represented me ever since.
Of all my books, Mariana remained my sister’s favourite, and it was, from start to end, a special story to write.
I started it in January, 1992 (30 years ago!) and a glance at the writing log that I kept so meticulously back then tells me that by 11 June, 1992, I had just reached the end of Chapter 9.
Here’s how Chapter 9 begins:
**************
As a child, I always kept my eyes screwed tightly shut when I woke from a nightmare, afraid that if I opened them I might find some truly terrible apparition beside my bed. The same childish instinct made me keep my eyes shut now. I lay still as the dead, curled to the wall, and the blood sang loudly in my ears as I reached out beside me with a tentative hand.
My searching fingers touched the cool, faintly textured surface of a wooden floorboard, skimmed across an abrasive wool carpet, and came to rest on a reassuringly familiar bit of cold tubular steel. Either my drawing board had somehow transported itself back in time, I reasoned, or I was lying on the floor of my studio. Gambling on the latter, I cautiously opened my eyes, blinking a few times to focus.
The room quivered once, and then stood still, and with a rush of relief I saw the solid twentieth-century clutter surrounding me – packing crates and papers and paintbrushes scattered untidily across the floor. Lifting my head a fraction, I craned my neck for a better look round, then sank back onto the hardwood with a ragged sigh.
I had fallen on a clear patch of floor directly beneath the bare west window, which accounted for the cool draft I felt on my face and neck. Outside, the first faint rays of daylight illuminated a sky so pale that it appeared almost colourless. I was still wearing the same clothes I had worn to Vivien’s the night before, my cotton sweater and skirt crumpled and creased as though I had slept in them.
I was alone in the room.
I pushed myself slowly to a sitting position, paused for breath, and rose carefully to my feet, leaning on the drawing board for support. I felt as dazed and disoriented as Ebenezer Scrooge must have done, when he finally awoke on that famous fictional Christmas morning. There was the corner where my bed had been, I thought, looking around; there the place where I had undressed and laid away my dusty green gown; there the doorway where the girl Rachel had stood, smiling her quick, shy smile.
Wandering into the hallway, I descended the stairs on unsteady legs. The kitchen seemed smaller than I remembered, and I stood frowning a moment until the explanation struck me – the kitchen I had been in last night had had no pantry. My kitchen had probably not been divided in two until Victorian times, if the pantry’s cabinets and wood trim were anything to go by.
I moved into the pantry for a closer look, and stopped to run a hand over the north wall. There were no windows here, and the plaster felt rough and uneven, as if it had been slapped on over some existing architectural feature. An open hearth, perhaps…
‘What is happening to me?’ I barely whispered the words, but they echoed in the silent space.
Feeling suddenly suffocated, I stumbled back into the kitchen and yanked open the back door, nearly falling into the yard in my rush to get out of the house. A short distance away from the building I stopped, wrapping my arms around my shivering body and taking deep, sobbing breaths of the damp morning air.
Even before the hair lifted along the nape of my neck, I knew that I was being watched. I wheeled to face the oak tree in the hollow, and the dark rider on the grey horse that I knew would be there. A sudden tide of anger, blind and furious, swelled within me.
‘Go away!’ I shouted at him. ‘Go away and leave me alone. I don’t want you here!’
Slowly, reluctantly, horse and rider retreated a few paces, and the grey morning mist rose up to fill the place where they had been. Still shaking with the force of my emotions, I hugged myself tighter and lowered my eyes.
Beneath my feet, a sprinkling of delicate blue wildflowers, wet with dew, nestled in the long grass. The ground was level here, and firm, and it was simple enough to see the slight depression where, long ago, someone had once planted a garden….
**************
Courtesy of my wonderful American publishers, Sourcebooks, I have four copies of their edition of Mariana to give away in honour of Thelma’s birthday, and I’ll send them anywhere in the world.
You can enter until midnight on 30 June, 2022 (Eastern Time), after which four separate winners will be selected at random from those leaving comments below. (And don’t be alarmed if your comment doesn’t show up right away – I moderate the comments for the safety of everyone, so it may take a short while for me to clear it, but I promise it hasn’t been lost, and if you made your comment before midnight on 30 June, 2022, it will still count as an entry even if it isn’t showing on the blog yet).
Thanks for helping me celebrate Thelma’s birthday.
And best of luck in the giveaway!
What a fun way to honour Thelma. I have books that I love to read again. You really do find things you didn’t notice the first time.
What a lovely tribute to a fellow reader.
The first book of yours that I read many many years ago (during the 90’s) which I so enjoyed that I always look for a new one. Think I have read them all now. Always a good read and well worth a reread.
Hi Susanna,
What a lovely dedication to your friend.
Mariana was the first book of yours that I read and it has a very special place in my heart. It led me to reading all your books. I’m a huge fan of everything you write.
I’d love to own a copy of Mariana as the original copy I read was a library book. I own just about all your books now except for Mariana which I can’t seem to find at the bookstores.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful gift of storytelling. Your books are always such an escape.
Jennifer
Sounds like a good book
Mariana is my absolute favorite of all of your books. What a wonderful way to honor Thelma.
Thelma had great taste! Mariana is my favorite book that you have written. I too have read it many times. What an amazing way to honor Thelma.
My goodness Susanna! What a wonderful way to honor someone who cherished your story! As a fellow Aussie with similar tastes in fantastic authors, I can hardly blame her!
The excert of this novel has me realizing that this might be the only novel if yours I’ve never read!😳🤞
An increidble honour to Thelma, im sure she is reading it now whereever she may be at rest. This was the first book by Susanna which I read and I have reread it so many times! I feel I relate as I had the same draw to the English countryside when I was back there.
I unfortunately gave my book to a friend of mine and then left the country, I would love to read it again!
I absolutely loved Mariana. And I absolutely love that you shared your friendship with Thelma with us. Makes you think about your bond in a previous life ❤
A favourite of mine also. I’ve read them all.
Mariana is such a wonderful story. I love to hear that other readers reread it too. Thelma was a beautiful lady. Happy birthday to her and love to her family who are missing her.
This is one of my most favourite books ever. I’ve already worn out two copies and would love another.
Happy birthday to Thelma! Mariana is my favorite too. I’ve read your books multiple times, but that one has been re-read the most ☺
Your first book i read, but it will not be the last. I was attracted to the name – just like mine. Exciting to the very end and I read it in one breath. I hope that the other books will be translated into Macedonian. I would like to read this book in English
Wow, would love to read that one. Love your books. Thanks 🙂
I haven’t seen this book of yours. I would love to read it.
Happy Birthday Thelma! I love books that bring so much joy and comfort that all you can do is re-read them again and again.
Longtime fan of Susanna Kearsley! Mariana was the first book of hers that I read and have since read every book she has published. Happy Birthday to another huge fan! Have a wonderful celebration, Thelma!
Mariana is the best of all the best books! It stole my heart when I read it for the first time and I reach for it whenever I need to experience that feeling again. It’s everything a well-written, mysterious, historical romance should be. I recommend it to all my friends and anyone who will listen. Thank you for this treasure.
Thelma’s birthday is the same as my mother’s. She introduced me to your books and Mariana has always been her favorite. I finished Firebird last night and Winter Sea earlier last week. They’ve had me longing to reread Mariana. I’ll be stopping by my mother’s home soon to reborrow it!
I enjoy your books and my favourite is Shadowy Horses. I must give Mariane another read as its been awhile since I read it.
I agree with Thelma that the more times you read a book the better.
I recommend your books to the many FB groups I belong to and also to my local library.
My mother-in-law and sister-in-law met you in person and have touted your books. In fact one of your books, “The Rose Garden” was the first I read of yours because it was the last book my sister-in-law read before she passed.
I love that you are honouring Thelma. I think a familiar book is enjoyed like an old friend.
This is one of the absolute best books. It’s my comfort read. And the one book that when I see if on my bookshelf I have to skim through for all my favorite parts!
Its a very nice way to remember someone who loved ur books so much. All.ypur books r worth reading over and over again…thanks for the opportunity to win an awesome book..
While The Shadowy Horses remains my favorite of your books, Mariana is also a book that I re-read often. During lockdown, I ended up getting as many of your books as I could find on audible to listen to as I put together jigsaw puzzles, baked way to many sweets, and walked my dog.
What a lovely story! My to read list/pile is large already, but I didn’t realize I missed Marianna. I enjoy re-reading Shadowy Horses- and recently just finished reading it aloud to a person I support.
I had always considered once and done thinking until I met a friend 19 years ago who challenged with a “why not?”. We watch movies and tv shows more than once and we re-read books when we were little. My joy of reading came back and I have re-read many stories several times since.
I’m not surprised she read it over and over. The Rose Garden is that book for me. What a great way to honor Thelma!
Thelma!! That is being loyal to a book you love! Now I want to go back and read all your books to see what I missed!
This is so kind of you.
Marianna was the first book by Susanna that I read. It is truly one of my favorites. I have borrowed it from the library and read it multiple times. Like Thelma, I keep finding new things in it each time I read it.
I’m in the US and likely don’t qualify but want to say how lovely it is that you’ve done this tribute.
I first “met” Mariana in Port Elgin, ON. It was 1994. Since then, I have met you at Chapters Oshawa & have read all of your books. Mariana still remains my favourite. 😊 I share it with everyone!
Thank you for honouring Thelma’s birthday.
Oh gosh! This has been one of my favourites since it was published. My own copy is wearing out and I’m looking for a replacement ❤️
I just re-read Mariana last month! Love it!! What a sweet and special story about Thelma.
Mariana is a favourite of mine as well. I read it many years ago and have been gobbling up all your novels since. I gobble up the first reading then read it slower the second or third time 😊 Can’t wait for the next one 💕
I’m so excited to share a birthday with Thelma, and I agree with her that Mariana is a very special story. In honor of Thelma I plan to start a reread, so that these amazing characters can reveal their secrets to me again.
What a way to remember your reader….. remarkable indeed !
Well, I am also a great lover of Mariana….. I have read it several times…. I don’t remember the count !!
You might remember, with your publishers permission, I translated this book in my mother tongue and posted it chapter wise on Facebook. It was very well taken more than 100 friends….
Love you Susanna…..
I love how you honor your reader friend.
What a lovely story. Mariana is one of my faves too and I’ve read it several times over. Currently due for another “comfort read” of it.
Happy Birthday Thelma. She had the right of it. Our love for reading brings us so much joy. We all have books we have reread so many times and each time we go back we learn something new or see things in a different way. We see the world in our minds and become a part of the characters life thru books. Thank you Susanna Kearsley for the work you do of giving us those stories.
What a lovely idea! I too love to reread your books and so I reread them several times a year. Mariana was the first book that I read of yours and I was hooked. I love all of your books but Mariana is my all time favourite, actually my all time favourite book and I read many books. Something about her story connecting history with our lives today is appealing to me.
Thanks so much for writing! Keep on doing so; can’t wait for the next one. P.S. I love when you mention characters from other books in your new ones! 🙂
Susanna, I have enjoyed all of your books and recently finished The Vanished Days. I love your storytelling and I always feel I am part of your character’s lives. Your giveaway is such a lovely tribute to Thelma.
Best,
Donna
What a lovely tribute! I confess that I, like Thelma, have read “Mariana” so many times that the cover has long since fallen off my copy. It is definitely my favourite of your novels. In fact, I think I could use a trip back in time right about now….
Mariana was the first of your books that I read, and I admit to having read it twice. So far. All of your books are worthy rereads, but Thelma was clearly the queen! Please keep writing. Your books are treasures!!
That’s such a sweet story, and such a nice way to honor Thelma. Mariana is also my favorite book! It’s always the first one I recommend to people asking for new stories to read.
What an amazing tribute!! Marianna is such a great book, from what I remember. It has been a long time since I’ve gone back to the beginning to re-read it. It was the first book of yours I read, and have read every one since. Keep up the good work!!
Happy birthday Thelma!!
I LOVED Mariana and my husband is reading it now. Your books are always wonderful comfort books for me, helping me escape from the daily grind. Thank you!
Marianna is the first book of yours that I read. I’ve been hooked ever since! It remains one of my favorites and this reminds me that it’s probably time to read it again!
How sweet of you to honor one of your readers! I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an author doing this. I have every one of your books except Mariana! I have read it; thanks to the library. I did not know you received the Catherine Cookson award for it; she is another author I love and collect. I think my favorite books of yours are tied for 1st place: Mariana and A Desperate Fortune.
Ii make a rotation of the 10 books I currently own of your books. Mariana just happens to be the book I pulled off the shelf Friday! I can relate.to how great it is to have a place of your own, to be able to decorate in your style. If I hadn’t read the Winter Sea first, I may not have understood what was happening to Julia- her ” going back in time .” I find it fascinating that she – in a trance- physically travels the path Mariana did. Everytime I read the story, I get teary when she sees Richard wounded, I can feel the cold of the church where he dies … and at the end, when Iain says, ” The soul sees what truly matters.” A beautiful story beginning to end.
Mariana, was the first novel of yours I read as well – wonderful!!
I find subsequent reads always yield something new.
My friend told me about your books. I’m intrigued by them. I haven’t yet started reading any but after reading this post I am even more interested.
Mariana is the first book I read of yours, and is always a book I recommend to anyone looking for something to read. It was also the first book that I read for a second time! I never really understood people who read books more than once, but I really enjoyed it!
What a lovely way to honor your reader! I go through phases of rereading an entire author (I’ll do Jane Austen every other year or so), but my current favorite way to reread your books is listening on audible as I’m puttering around the house or knitting/crocheting. The audiobook performers overall have done a fantastic job.
What a beautiful way to remember a life your work has touched! It’s lovely how much you truly care for and connect with your readers. Happy Birthday, in memory of Thelma, her 95 years, and the blessing of finding a story that she loved.
So wonderful to hear about Thelma. Like her, I adore Mariana. I lost count how many times I read it. My edition is worn but loved!
A brilliant book, not surprising it was Thelma’s favorite.
What a fantastic and lovely story about Thelma. Mariana is the only book that when I finished I immediately flipped to the beginning and started reading, again.
I also have books that I love to read again. What a great way to honour the memory of your friend.
Some lives are worth reliving, and some books are worth rereading! This is one of those special ones.
This is the best reason ever for a giveaway. I can only imagine how much joy your correspondence gave to Thelma and her daughter.
Wow, you are such a wonderful person to do something like this to honor a reader. I love how you interact with your readers. Such a breath of fresh air! I love all your books, and Marianna is very special to me. Thank you for your books and for being a great individual!
I’ve fallen in love with all your books. Every time I read one, it becomes my favorite. Can’t wait to read Mariana.
Mariana is such a wonderful book! It’s no wonder she reread it so many times. I’m touched that you’re paying tribute to a fan like this!
Thank you for honouring your readers and Thelma! It must have brought Thelma a lot of joy to revisit the characters in Mariana.
What a lovely way to honour Thelma’s memory on her birthday! I first found Mariana at a cottage we rented at Dyer’s Bay on The Bruce Peninsula. I was sad to leave it behind on the bookshelf, but years later found a copy at a used bookstore in Port Elgin, along with other books you had written – a fabulous surprise! I have read all your books and always recommend you in my list of top authors! Besides your writing, especially The Winter Sea, other books I read and re-read are The Blue Castle and Jane of Lantern Hill by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Comfort books!
Such a lovely post. And I know just how Thelma felt! It’s The Winter Sea for me. I’ve read it several times and will read it several more I’m sure. And each time I’ll probably wonder, as I do now, how you were able to weave the characters’ stories together to create such a gorgeous rhythmic novel. And then there is the setting… <3
Happy birthday to Thelma what a great tribute!
Mariana was the first book of yours that I read and I absolutely fell in love with the story and your writing style which is why I have bought every other book you’ve written since then! Mariana remains my favorite, though, of all of them. What a sweet tribute to a sweet person!
I love all your books. And I share Thelma’s enthusiasm, as Mariana is also one of my favourites. Thank you so much for writing all the amazing books.
I have a collection of your books all of which I’ve read several times. Like Thelma I find something new each time I read them. I’ve been trying to find a copy of Mariana but it is not readily available it seems. I enjoy your Facebook posts and always look forward to your next book.
Love this story! What great idea!
A friend recommended Mariana to me in about 1995 and I have loved it ever since. I know I have a beat up copy of it but would love a newer version.
You are an amazing story teller moving the characters between the present and the past making it very hard to put the book down! Thank you for giving me a break from today’s busyness by immersing myself in your books
I first read Mariana when a friend lent me the book in high school. I later purchased the book but let someone borrow it and never saw it again. This past year, I bought the book for my dad’s birthday to share the Mariana love! I always look for it when I’m at half price books in hopes I’ll find it again.
What a lovely story about one of my favorite books. <3
Beautiful tribute to your friend! I have read all of your books and always look forward to the next, Mariana was my favorite and would love to have a copy to reread.
I already have a hard copy and a Kobo copy of Mariana, but love Thelma’s story. Happy to enter a draw for another copy – I’ll give it to my mom who has read it and loves Mariana too.
Thank you for sharing. I too reread favorite books and agree with Thelma about finding “something you missed”. And sometimes it’s just because I want to revisit with old friends🙃.
This is a wonderful tribute. I love each and every one of your books!
Love your books! Just recently discovered you and have read The Winter Sea, The Firebird, and Vanished Days. Haven’t read Marianna yet, so winning a copy would be great. Thanks for the opportunity!
Only a couple of your titles I don’t currently own; I ordered Mariana years ago from AmazonUK because I couldn’t find it here and I loved the pb edition of Shadowy Horses I had just read. Gave that copy of Mariana to a friend who desperately wanted to read it—she loved it (as did I)
Like for so many, it seems, Mariana was also the first of your books that I have read. It was given to me by a very dear friend, who just thought I would enjoy it, and I am still awed by and grateful for that immense empathy that made my friend choose this book and ultimately give me the gift of all your other mesmerising stories over the years.
But Mariana is still my favourite – as I only have a German translation, I would very much cherish an English original alongside it
What an absolutely beautiful story and reaction on your part. Mariana is one of my favorites as well, I won’t be entering the drawing because I have it in eBook and in paperback with two different covers….but I wanted to say this is beautiful. Thanks for everything you do for your readers Susanna, you’re the very best.
Thanks to Thelma, I now have a new title to add to my TBR list.
Lovely way to honor Thelma’s birthday.
Mariana’s story is one of my favorites as well., although I cannot fail to mention The Shadowy Horses. Sharing copies for a special birthday honors the giver as well as the gift. And it’s always a great gift to read a book with compelling characters, unique locations, and delightful descriptions. Thank you, Susanna Kearsley.
Happy birthday to Thelma in heaven. I would love to receive a copy of your book’Marianna’. Thank you.
What a lovely gesture! Mariana is among my favorite books as well.
What a lovely idea for Thelma’s birthday! I agree with her that I can reread your books multiple times and still come away with something new!
Sincere condolences to you and to Thelma’s family….what a beautiful way to celebrate a treasured friendship and remember such a connection …many blessings Susanna🌹
Thelma had wonderful taste. The book is one of my favorites also.
What a wonderful idea!! A lovely way to honour a cherished reader!
Mariana was the first of your books I ever read – I received a signed copy for my birthday as a gift from my mother & grandmother. It’s a treasured book for sure 🙂
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve read (and listened to) “Mariana.” My mother gave me her copy. The bond between mothers and daughters can be so very special, as can second chances. Happy Birthday, Thelma! Cheers!
Absolutely love all your books – i re-read all if them!!!!
What a lovely story about a fellow reader. I never thought of reading a book more than once, to see if I missed anything.
I love your writing! Thank you for giving us an opportunity to win a copy of one of your books.
Mariana was the first of your books I read and I loved it so much I read all the others that had been published at that point. Now I eagerly await the publication of your new novels, anticipating what time and place you’re going to take me to next.
I was looking for a book to read and my friend recommended The Winter Sea. I couldn’t put it down and when it was over I was sad because it was over. I started reading every other Susanna Kearsley book and when I got to Mariana, I was just delighted. It’s truly my all time favorite book and I read it over and over again. Thank you Susanna for writing lovely stories!
I’m so glad to see that this is a dedication to Thelma and a page about Mariana. I’ve read 12 of your books and Mariana is my absolute favorite. I cried hard at the end. Thelma seemed like someone I would like to have tea with. I have read Mariana just once. I usually don’t reread a story. But now, I will reread Mariana. It is after all almost 4 years since I first read it.
Mariana is my favourite book of yours. Obviously, Thelma was showing her good taste. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed your other books as well, but Mariana really spoke to me.
What a lovely gesture in memory of Thelma 💜
What a beautiful story and gesture.
Unique people seek each other out. Book people connecting and sharing stories is fantastic. Brightened my day!
Such a lovely way to celebrate a fellow Aussie and Mariana fan. ❤️
Some books just touch your soul and stay with you long after the last page, Mariana is one of those books.
I haven’t read Mariana yet, but what a beautiful way to commemorate someone.
What a lovely way to honor her memory ❤️
I love all of your books and own them all in more than one format. I don’t really expect to win this lovely gift but wanted to take the opportunity to show a wee bit of appreciation for the work you put in. The thorough research you do has added to my knowledge of my own history- being of Scot/Irish/English ancestry. Thank you for all your lovely stories. I, too, read and listen to them again and again.
Thank you for showing appreciation to your readers. This is such a nice tribute.
I too have always held Mariana close to my heart. A great story that introduced me to this genre and of course, to a great author.
What a wonderful way to commemorate someone!. Whoever receives one of these copies will be blessed and hopefully will share it! I have enjoyed reading your books and sharing them with friends. I ask them to sign the inside cover before they return it. Makes me smile to think of the stories we’ve shared.
Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us. Like so many others, I’ve read your books many times over. I love that your characters ‘live’ in other books if only by ancestry.
I read that chapter today! Loving Mariana. ❤️
Hi, Susanna!
Mariana was my favorite one of your books. I’ve read it twice, and after reading about Thelma, I’m going to read it again. She’s right about finding something new in each reading. I love how the characters journey through their experiences. The ending was so satisfying. Thank you for honoring Thelma.
Like Thelma, I love to reread my favorite books. It brings me comfort to know that no matter what is going on in my life the characters in the book will always be there and never change. Marianna is one of my favorite books and I love to read it because I agree with Thelma-there is always something I missed and I will discover it if I read it again.
This is such a nice way to remember someone! I’ve always thought that the books we love were like windows into who we are, and this is a great way to help people glimpse who Thelma was.
What a wonderful way to honor your friend. It was meant to be that you crossed paths with Thelma, just as Julia was drawn to the old, English farmhouse…perhaps your paths crossed in another life. But that’s the magic of your books and why reading them once is never enough. Thelma was right…
What a lovely story! I have read many of your books but not Mariana yet. It is now on my must read list! Thank you for your beautiful words which engage me so much.
I have Mariana on my nook and it was the first book I recommended my mom read after I’d lent her all the paperbacks I’ve ordered over the past couple years. She says she’ll get a headache reading from a screen before going to bed, so I thought it can’t hurt to enter her into this giveaway. I’ll probably order Named of the Dragon in the meantime since she is enjoying a Netflix series on Merlin right now.
I have enjoyed p, will no, loved each of your books. Mariana Is my favorite. I have to agree with Thelma, rereading one of your books brings to light new details whic means new enjoyment.
Mariana is the first book of yours I read and I was hooked! I’ve read everything of yours that is available. I loved it and have been thinking of spending time with all of your books again.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story with us. I absolutely loved Mariana and to this day, it remains one of my most favorite books ever. I am so glad you wrote it. Thank you.:)
I can certainly understand Thelma, this is a story I come back to again and again and again. When I first saw this post, some days ago, I was trying to remember which of your books was my first, but I couldn’t. Very probably Mariana, but it’s hard to imagine this book (and you!) ever coming into my life, it’s like it’s always been there (no exaggeration).
After 3 years in Wales, I decided to start bringing some of my things from back home (in Brazil). I didn’t have much space in my suitcase, so most of my book collection had to stay behind for now, but Mariana HAD to come with me, and in two versions: the original and the German translation (because I decided that’s the first book I’ll read in German 😂).
(I feel a bit greedy entering this giveaway, but, with your books, I never just recommend them to people, I always gift them a copy of what I think will be the perfect first Suzanna-read for them, and plenty of Marianas have left my hands that way. Now, a copy coming straight from you, that would have place of honour here.)
Thank you, Suzanna, for having stuck with writing. Your books are true gifts to us.
I’m ready to read Marianna again. Actually, I’m ready to re-read all your books. What a lovely birthday idea for Thelma.
Your books bring love and joy to life even when it is mundane or a struggle. Thank you for writing such strong and interesting characters such as those in Marianna and across your writing in general.
I discovered your books at the beginning of the pandemic, I quickly fell in love with them. Over a year and a half I read them all. Some I read more than once. Mariana is one of those I read more than once (three times actually). I have enjoyed all of your books, but Mariana is my favourite!
I have read Marianna and enjoyed it very much.
What a beautiful way to celebrate Thelma. Funnily enough, I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve read (or listened) to Mariana myself. It’s my in my top 3 favorite books – They’re all tied for first place in my mind. I find that Mariana is one of those books that’s always comforting for me to re-visit over and over, so I completely understand why Thelma did so as well.
I am an avid re-reader and I love Thelma’s story! Winter Sea is the novel of yours that I go to over and over.
You became my absolute favorite author over the pandemic. I loved all of your books I have read and have made sure to read them multiple times.
What a lovely tribute. I have read the Slains series and look forward to reading this book soon!
What a lovely memory and a beautiful way to honour Thelma – Mariana was the first of your books that I read back in 2013 (I found a copy at a charity book sale for the annual Terry Fox run in my city) and have been reading your books ever since. Mariana is truly magical and I actually pulled if off of my shelf just two days ago to reread! Thank you for so many wonderful hours of reading.
Mariana is the only novel I’ve missed. What a tribute to Thelma!