The Coordinates of Loss @MrsAmandaProwse

About The Coordinates of Loss

When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family’s boat in Bermuda, it’s to sunshine and yet another perfect day…until she goes to wake her seven-year-old son, Oscar. Because the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn’t there.

In the dark and desperate days that follow, Rachel struggles to navigate her grief. And while her husband, James, wants them to face the tragedy together, Rachel feels that the life they once shared is over. Convinced that their happy marriage is now a sham, and unable to remain in the place where she lost her son, she goes home to Bristol alone.

Only when she starts receiving letters from Cee-Cee, her housekeeper in Bermuda, does light begin to return to Rachel’s soul. She and James both want to learn to live again—but is it too late for them to find a way through together?

My review of The Coordinates of Loss

Oh my heart! This book! Where on earth do I start? It's heartbreaking and beautiful and poignant and I became fully immersed in thut story from the very first page. I've enjoyed every single Amanda Prowse book that I've had the pleasure to read, and this book is no exception.

This book is about every parent's worst nightmare, that of losing a child. It's hard to even think about this, and what Rachel and James go through is gut wrenching and difficult to read. It's an uneasy book, in the sense that you are reading an uncomfortable subject, you are thrown into the middle of what should be private, and I felt the absolute grief of both of these characters for the loss of their little boy.

Amanda Prowse writes so beautifully and with so much heart. I couldn't help but feel as if I knew Rachel and the inner turmoil that she was going through. How would you come to terms with the loss of a child at sea? I understood completely her reasons for leaving everything behind and the absolute guilt that she felt. I just wanted her to rebuild her life and to be happy.

The relationship between Rachel and James changes forever on that fateful trip. As I read, I saw the cracks slowly appearing as Rachel withdrew from him, mentally and physically. This exploration of a marriage under stress, under blame, is beautifully written and I felt its pain.

Amanda Prowse takes the most difficult subjects and tackles them head on with sensitivity, care and undrstanding. The loss of a child and breakdown of a marriage are traumatic subjects in themselves, but she manages to weave a story that touches both the heart and soul, and one that conjures up hope.

The Coordinates of Loss is a remarkable book. It features two strong female characters, in Rachel and Cee-Cee, who share an unlikely bond. This strength and courage is what ultimately begins to heal Rachel. Those feelings of guilt and blame that she has, because she feels that she did not protect her child. All of these thoughts and feelings are written  with huge sensitivity. It's a book about hope and the strength of women. It's such a special story. All the stars. 

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

The Coordinates of Loss is published on the 25 September by Lake Union.