Wavewalker
Breaking Free
Format:Hardback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:13th Apr '23
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- Paperback£10.99(9780008498535)
This memoir recounts the extraordinary journey of a young girl who spent a decade sailing the world with her family, facing challenges that shaped her fight for freedom and education. Wavewalker captures her resilience and determination.
Wavewalker is a compelling memoir by Suzanne Heywood that recounts her extraordinary childhood spent sailing around the world. At just seven years old, Suzanne embarked on what was initially intended to be a three-year voyage with her family. However, this journey transformed into a decade-long adventure filled with challenges, including storms, shipwrecks, and isolation. Throughout this time, Suzanne faced the harsh realities of life at sea, often deprived of safety, education, and basic necessities.
The memoir vividly captures Suzanne's internal struggle as she yearned for a return to England, longing for stability and formal schooling. Her experiences highlight the complexities of growing up in an unconventional environment, where her parents’ adventurous spirit often overshadowed her needs as a child. Despite the hardships, Suzanne's determination to educate herself became a driving force in her life, ultimately leading her back to the UK and an interview at Oxford University.
Wavewalker is not just a personal account of survival; it serves as a poignant reflection on the consequences of parental choices and the resilience of a young girl. Through her beautifully written narrative, Suzanne Heywood invites readers to explore the highs and lows of her unique upbringing, making it a thought-provoking read for both parents and children alike. This memoir stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the quest for freedom and education amidst adversity.
PRAISE FOR WAVEWALKER
‘Suzanne's memoir exposes, scene by scene, the bare reality behind the romantic notion of sailing round the world . . . You can't read her story without a growing sense of fury at her plight — a minor, thousands of miles from home, trapped with her parents and totally misunderstood by them . . . beautifully written’ ‘Daily Mail
‘Beautifully written . . . nuanced and honest . . . stormy in every sense’ Tortoise Media
‘A jaw-dropping and thrilling real-life adventure on the high seas’ SARAH BROWN
‘An extraordinary story of adventure and self-discovery. Suzanne Heywood’s determination to get an education despite all the obstacles she faced leads her on a path of true freedom’ Minouche Shafik, Director of the LSE
‘Even for an experienced sailor, a ten-year voyage across some of the world’s most dangerous oceans would give pause for thought. That Suzanne survived this and made her way back to dry land and a successful future is remarkable. Her book is stunningly good’ Ranulph Fiennes, World's Greatest Living Explorer
‘This personal and powerful book is so great. What a journey – a hardcore one at times. I’m glad the compass has found its way home’ Bear Grylls
‘In the most difficult circumstances, trapped at sea on a boat, surviving violent storms, Suzanne has demonstrated how education can transform a life’ Tony Blair
‘Her fight for an education will astonish all who read it’ Anthony Seldon
‘The story of extraordinary upbringing on a boat in the South Pacific recounted with wit, verve and deep insight… Humanity’s innate passion for learning shines on every page and triumphs gloriously’ Sir Michael Barber, author of Accomplishment: How Ambitious and Challenging Things Get Done
ISBN: 9780008498498
Dimensions: 240mm x 159mm x 40mm
Weight: 670g
416 pages