Poignant, Sensitive And Beautiful

The Curious Heart Of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland is a powerful contemporary novel about living with a heart transplant. It is beautifully and poignantly written. The reader becomes intimately acquainted with Ailsa Rae and her new heart as the novel is written from her point of view.

The novel is cleverly constructed with a narrative peppered with emails and blog posts. We really learn what makes Ailsa Rae tick. We hear her hopes and dreams, her fears and failures. We see what life is like when you do not know if you will have a tomorrow.

Tentative steps are taken following the transplant as Ailsa Rae begins to live with tomorrow ahead for the first time. The reader cheers her successes and ‘walks’ the road beside her.

Death is a part of life. Not all those who are waiting will get transplants. When death hits, it hits hard with far reaching arms as we are consumed with grief when we least expect it.

There is a tight mother/daughter bond. Having protected Ailsa Rae for twenty eight years, it is hard for her mother to relinquish control and take a step back and begin to live life for herself once more.

Stephanie Butland has created a wonderful set of characters that are easy to relate to. I instinctively warmed to Ailsa Rae with her positive outlook on life.

I really enjoyed The Curious Heart Of Ailsa Rae. It was sensitively written whilst highlighting the importance of organ donation. At times it was highly amusing and at others I was reaching for the tissues.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON