Notes to Future Self

The story follows Sophie and Calliope, sisters raised in unconventional environments, as they navigate a new life in Birmingham after their mother leaves. Notes to Future Self delves into themes of identity and belonging.

In Notes to Future Self, we meet Sophie and Calliope, two sisters who have never experienced the conventional education system. Raised by their mother, who left home at seventeen to immerse herself in the New Age movement, the girls grow up in a world filled with ashrams, communes, and spontaneous raves. Their upbringing is far removed from the traditional lifestyle, leaving them unprepared for what lies ahead.

When Sophie falls ill, their lives take a drastic turn as they return to Birmingham, a city that feels foreign and overwhelming. Here, they encounter a reality filled with math homework, television, and a grandmother they have never known. This new environment starkly contrasts with their previous life, and Sophie grapples with the complexities of mortality amidst the normalcy she has always yearned for.

Lucy Caldwell's Notes to Future Self captures the struggle of navigating a world that feels both familiar and alien. The story explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and the search for belonging, all while highlighting the challenges of adapting to a conventional lifestyle after a nontraditional upbringing. Sophie's journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance, making this narrative both poignant and relatable.