Book Reviews
“This is definitely a book for our clients, especially the many who feel very lost and alone, even though in most instances they have the help and support of family and friends, but not always their empathy.
This book will help a lot of people on their own personal healing journeys”.
The Education and Wellness Manager, Together Against Cancer. A cancer care charity.
Amazon Book Reviews
Hetsie Dee
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 October 2020
I found this to be an emotional & insightful read. Whether or not you have had personal dealings with cancer, you cannot help but empathise with the oscillating feelings of utter trauma & hope. A very brave and honest perspective given by a very special man. Best wishes for the future Simon.
Mr. I. C. Graham
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2021
A series of short stories, some obviously autobiographical, some apocryphal, often simply concerning the mundane and everyday, but in the reality surrounding the characters is their cancer diagnosis and their thoughts and feelings as they go through their story. It also, as the title suggests, considers the way that all of their reality is affected by the illness.
This is not an apologetic or maudlin read, but a book that will connect with anyone who, like me, has also had that diagnosis, and would help their family comprehend the mental chaos that can enter your life when that word “Cancer” is said to you .
Well worth a read, and a privilege to share the author’s thoughts and feelings, I heartily recommend this book.
M. J. Jones
Honest and Personal Account of A family living with Cancer.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2021 Rather than reading from the perspective of the person living with cancer the interesting thing about this book is the way it encompasses the family. Anyone who has lived with cancer will know that the diagnosis and treatment effects family initially traumatically but as it progresses in unusual and sometimes positive ways. Ripple in Still Water feels a highly personal yet objective view of the journey of a family and cancer and will resonate with many people’s experience.
Gizzi123
Insightful and not your usual book about ‘cancer’
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2021 I’m not a great reader, however when I saw that this was a collection of short personal stories, with poignant meaning to the author, I was intrigued. I can relate to how the author has put together the collection of short stories with meaning to him, his family and friends and a wider audience. Whether or not you have suffered from cancer, no doubt you know someone who has and this read is a reflection on life. Definitely worth a read. Well done to Simon for writing this during not only his suffering but also in the middle of a pandemic.
Rob Jourdain
Life past and present through the eyes of someone diagnosed with cancer.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2021
This book, a collection of short stories in the form of personal reminiscences was a fascinating read.
Each story tells of everyday circumstances and events, but told from the point of view of someone having been diagnosed with cancer. It is personal and moving.
The stories are short enough for this to make a great book for the bedside or coffee table.
Highly recommended.
KENNETH
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 January 2021
Insightful if not a little harrowing. A valuable addition to the lexicon.
Reviews On Goodreads
Griselda rated it: “It was amazing!”
This is a book I would give or recommend to everyone with cancer and to everyone who has a friend or relative with cancer. This is not a hymn to cancer but a “song of the days”, the places, of people “in between”, in between the consultations, treatments, busynesses that cancer brings. It is a reflection on the important things of life, the family, events, the things that appear banal at the time as well as those that are indeed recognised as life changing at the time. Saying farewell to his grandfather dying of the same cancer. His daughter’s exquisite wedding. Climbing round the pillars (probably drunk) of the chain bridge over the Menai Strait. Simon gets into others’ heads too. His soliloquy as his son Nathan is short but intensely moving.
His questioning acceptance allied to his noticing the small (and great) joys of life mean that this is a balanced book, of quietness and fortitude. As he says it is not a diary, a self help book, nor an alternative set of treatments. It is a reflection and will encourage others to reflect in their turn.
I think it should be carried as standard in every hospital and hospice bookshop, given to every oncologist.