I've ordered it, although my online book supplier is very cagey about delivery dates. I'd be there on 12 September if I could, but I'm on a plane to Europe (for work not fun) at that time, so my apologies. Judging by its first iteration, it's a beautiful piece of writing and it deserves to be read widely.
Got it from the little Brunswick bookshop and read it last night.
As someone whose job it is to cover inquests and go to far flung parts of the country to cover them, the work by the families to advocate the state to hear the parts of their loved ones story that may never have been told is a powerful thing.
Well done on the work and look forward to the launch next week
20 years ago an addiction counsellor told me "Peter - a healthy person feels their thoughts. Your problem is you think your feelings." I have come to see addiction/obsessiveness in any form as an escape hatch leading to a personal prison. Though the rewards of workaholism are more sustainable than gambling.
The original essay was powerful and I look forward to reading the book. My hope is there is some ongoing personal catharsis in the process that adds happiness to your list of achievements.
In the words of T S Eliot "the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."
Early days yet, Peter, but there is something about writing that sets things in order in a way mere thinking cannot. And my mum says that it is nice, after all this time, to have something of Jaz we can see and hold.
I read your original shortened account on Cricket et al and was quite moved by it. A thoughtful story of a lost relationship that won’t be maudlin or oversentimental. Have just ordered my copy.
I'll be ordering this later today. I wrote something similar recently about an old loss and found, as you said to another commenter, that writing about the issue is more beneficial than thinking of it. Thoughts can be jumbled, especially if they never leave your head, but when put down on paper with nothing held back they achieve a higher level of clarity.
Gideon, firstly you are one of Australia’s living treasures. The intelligence required to share your story, your wisdom should be revered for it’s honesty and the courage it has taken to express deeply felt emotions to a world that doesn’t always want to confront such things. You have taken to step into the void that we all feel about person tragedies, a space where the spectre of imposter syndrome can exist. I salute your resilience and your commitment to be courageous.
It is the best that this wide brown land has engendered in us and it is what Australian’s worldwide are respected for.
I read the substack post and have the book on order. It is courageous journalism that respects the reader, instead of issuing a potential trigger warning or offering the number of a helpline. It is also a riposte to our attempts to medicalise and medicate grief.
I read your little book on your brother Jaz, and felt a connection with you as I have lost both my children in accidents. No doubt you have received many responses like this. Loss is everywhere. I wondered when you said writing it had changed nothing what you make of your daughter’s interest in genealogy? Maybe telling your brother’s story, and yours has freed her to see herself in a lineage that includes loss.
I've ordered it, although my online book supplier is very cagey about delivery dates. I'd be there on 12 September if I could, but I'm on a plane to Europe (for work not fun) at that time, so my apologies. Judging by its first iteration, it's a beautiful piece of writing and it deserves to be read widely.
Thanks Max. Your response, one of the earliest, meant a lot.
Got it from the little Brunswick bookshop and read it last night.
As someone whose job it is to cover inquests and go to far flung parts of the country to cover them, the work by the families to advocate the state to hear the parts of their loved ones story that may never have been told is a powerful thing.
Well done on the work and look forward to the launch next week
Thanks comrade. Hope you can make it.
Congratulations, G Haigh. Based on my memory of the early edition, many will find this helpful and meaningful.
20 years ago an addiction counsellor told me "Peter - a healthy person feels their thoughts. Your problem is you think your feelings." I have come to see addiction/obsessiveness in any form as an escape hatch leading to a personal prison. Though the rewards of workaholism are more sustainable than gambling.
The original essay was powerful and I look forward to reading the book. My hope is there is some ongoing personal catharsis in the process that adds happiness to your list of achievements.
In the words of T S Eliot "the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."
Early days yet, Peter, but there is something about writing that sets things in order in a way mere thinking cannot. And my mum says that it is nice, after all this time, to have something of Jaz we can see and hold.
Peter, great to see another TS fan in the space.
Gideon, will it be available in India? I'd love to order a copy.
I'm sorry for your and your mum's loss ❤️
I have ordered a copy and I look forward to the privilege of reading it.
I read your original shortened account on Cricket et al and was quite moved by it. A thoughtful story of a lost relationship that won’t be maudlin or oversentimental. Have just ordered my copy.
I'll be ordering this later today. I wrote something similar recently about an old loss and found, as you said to another commenter, that writing about the issue is more beneficial than thinking of it. Thoughts can be jumbled, especially if they never leave your head, but when put down on paper with nothing held back they achieve a higher level of clarity.
That's great, Nick. And yes, it tallies with my own experience.
Gideon, firstly you are one of Australia’s living treasures. The intelligence required to share your story, your wisdom should be revered for it’s honesty and the courage it has taken to express deeply felt emotions to a world that doesn’t always want to confront such things. You have taken to step into the void that we all feel about person tragedies, a space where the spectre of imposter syndrome can exist. I salute your resilience and your commitment to be courageous.
It is the best that this wide brown land has engendered in us and it is what Australian’s worldwide are respected for.
Thank you and all the best mate.
Alan Pead
Thanks to you, Alan.
I read the substack post and have the book on order. It is courageous journalism that respects the reader, instead of issuing a potential trigger warning or offering the number of a helpline. It is also a riposte to our attempts to medicalise and medicate grief.
Cheers Chucks. I probably took too long to get here, but you have to be ready.
Book launch sold out 👏
Big fan Gideon and if i ever meet you in the street I would like to embrace you
I read your little book on your brother Jaz, and felt a connection with you as I have lost both my children in accidents. No doubt you have received many responses like this. Loss is everywhere. I wondered when you said writing it had changed nothing what you make of your daughter’s interest in genealogy? Maybe telling your brother’s story, and yours has freed her to see herself in a lineage that includes loss.
We probably should have spoken more.
Ross.