This summer while the girls and I accompanied Steve on a trip to Montana, I ran into a group of four children that I had seen earlier in the day beside a large trailer at our KOA campground. As they walked by—three laughing, one on the verge of tears—I said to them, “Is that your trailer over there with the book cover on the back?” The oldest of the girls replied that it was. I continued, “Are you on a book tour?” The same sweet girl puffed up with pride and answered, “Yep, our mom is a writer. She wrote that book.” “Wow, that’s pretty cool!” I responded, caught up in her excitement and beginning to feel my own. Not too long before that day, I had mentioned to Steve how being on a book tour with a young family would be difficult. I don’t think I would want to leave my kids that long. Then here, in the campground that we chose virtually at random, was a woman who not only managed to write a book with four children bustling about, but who also managed to find a way to make a book tour into a family vacation!
The next day, as I was returning from the bathhouse, I met the same four children, this time with their mom. The kids all said ‘hi’ and then the oldest girl again took the lead, “This our mom!” We began an enthusiastic conversation about writing and parenthood and her book tour as we walked back toward her trailer. I was so impressed by Autumn. She was gentle and welcoming, with an infectious smile; AND she managed to write a book while raising kids--such a inspiration for me, a mom struggling to finish a novel. At the end of our conversation, she offered me a copy of her book. They would be returning home to Alberta, Canada the next day and she had only one remaining copy. I gladly accepted it and walked back to my site. I delightedly announced my new acquaintance to Steve and displayed the book.
About two weeks later, when I had finished reading the three books on my night stand, I curled up with A Promise of Hope.
A Promise of Hope is the largely autobiographical story of Autumn’s childhood and young adulthood facing the struggles of manic depression. The latter third of the book recounts how Autumn, her father, husband and friends fought to legalize a miraculous treatment that has allowed her to live a normal life. This may sound a little heavy for some of you, but I assure you A Promise of Hope is a gorgeous read, both inspirational and touching. Yes, some chapters made me weep, others made me irate, but still among this delicious sea of words there was no escaping the shear humanity of her story, that part that applies to all of our lives.
I am tempted to say that book is concisely written, but I believe it would be more accurate to say that nothing in it is extraneous. Every word brings with it some part of the overall truth. You will simply float along with her masterfully crafted mood and seamless rhythm. I cannot recommend this book more highly. Autumn Stringam is a truly gifted writer who has the added blessing of being the courageous and uncompromising teller of her own truth. This book is for the person who is or knows someone affected with a mental illness. This book is for men and women with depression or with a difficult parental relationship. This book is for anyone who loves to read. Enjoy this gorgeous gift of talent and spirit.
I have included a video clip of Autumn talking about the book and a link in my cool links section to amazon in Canada where the book is currently available.
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