By Sophia Whitfield
Ellis’s mother wins a painting in a raffle: fifteen sunflowers, hung on the wall. She is transfixed by the painting, often caught unawares by her son staring at its beauty.
She adores her son Ellis and watches as a close bond develops between Ellis and his childhood friend Michael. As boys they are inseparable but as men they drift apart, life taking them on different journeys.
Ellis meets Annie and marries. The three form a close friendship but are torn apart when Michael moves to London.
Ellis narrates the first half of the novel, and the second half is narrated by Michael who reminisces over his brief love affair with Ellis, a few days captured in their youth while holidaying in France.
Set in the 80s at the height of the Aids epidemic, this is book full of love, compassion and fear. Beautifully written by Winman it is ultimately a love story that will stay with you.
Definitely a book to add to your reading list. You can buy the book here in Australia and here in the UK.
I'm getting married. He's perfect. It's a disaster.
On June 16, 2015
