Exuberance - A Novel
Cover design: Lídia Puccetti | lidiapuccetti.com
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“Hi, Elena,” she says to the mirror. “I have been waiting for you.”
As the city of Sydney gears up for the 2000 Olympic games, Angelica Fletcher’s life unravels. It begins when, dissatisfied with her conventional life, she invents a feisty alter ego named Elena. Soon the line between reality and imagination blurs, and the repercussions ripple through those around her. Her husband Jimmy is thrust into a tumultuous journey as he grapples with Angie’s sudden exuberance. Her new friend Sinead finds solace in Angie’s vibrant persona, but is unaware of her inner struggles. Norah’s delicate stability shatters when her daughter's wild antics resurrect a haunting past. Angie is making the best of her borrowed life, but how long can this last before she uncovers who Elena really is? With intelligence and sensitivity, this award-winning novel explores the complexities of living with a mental health condition, the transformative power of healing, and the need for balance and authenticity in our lives. |
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Where to buy it: Exuberance is now available worldwide as eBook and paperback. You can purchase the paperback directly from the author for A$26.95 including postage Australia-wide or $20 if hand-delivered. Order your copy now! Please let me know in the notes if you would like it signed. The eBook is available for $A5.99 (or equivalent in other currencies) at most online stores including Amazon Australia, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Apple Books, Kobo, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble & Booktopia. Paperback copies can also be purchased in Sydney from Novella Fine Books, Cards and Gifts (Wahroonga), The Sage Parlour (Thornleigh), Better Read than Dead (Newtown) and Abbeys Bookshop (York St. Sydney). All Amazon websites are also selling the paperback. Other online retailers stocking the paperback are Booktopia, Fishpond, Angus and Robertson (Australia) and Barnes and Noble (US). Purchase Tales of Suburban Castaways and Exuberance as a bundle for A$40.95 including postage or A$34 if hand delivered |
Praise for Exuberance:
5 out of 5 - 'A wonderful journey of the power of the human mind'
I loved this book. It is full of real heart and feeling for the trauma of mental illness and how it touches a whole family in their struggle to recalibrate their lives after Angie (the book's heroine) is diagnosed with bi-polar. There is humour and warmth as well as the realistic darkness of the journey for Angie as a wife, daughter and friend.
(Amazon.com Customer Review)
5 out of 5 - 'A heartfelt and eye-opening insight into mental illness'
A beautifully written and heartfelt story of a young woman navigating the extremes of a confronting mental illness, until she can no longer do it alone.
Bel Vidal captures the essence of a disorder often kept behind the scenes and breaks down some of the stigmas about friends and family voicing their concerns about a loved one's unusual behaviours, whether they're the highest of highs or the lowest of lows. Highly recommended as your next read!
(Amazon Australia Customer Review)
5 out of 5 - 'Uplifting and enthralling'
From the first page to the last I loved this book. It’s the story of highs and lows, struggles and ultimately triumph. The title is very fitting, the characters strong. The relationships between Angelica and the other characters are so relatable. The author takes the reader on a journey of twists and unexpected turns and leaves you feeling nothing but admiration for Angelica's determination. I can’t recommend this book highly enough, it is a narrative told with energy and sensitivity.
(Amazon Australia Customer Review)
5 out of 5 - 'Powerful story that spoke to me personally'
I am not a reader at all, but was drawn to this storyline and personally resonated with both the challenges and triumphs of Angie’s journey. I love how the Author was able to fictionally create a story that highlighted the stigma still surrounding mental health. I honestly feel this is a book that should be readily available for everyone to read, especially in these times. We all need to embrace the Angies of this broken world, as you can learn and grow so much by doing so.
(Amazon Australia Customer Review)
5 out of 5 - 'Spellbinding'
Wow - what an amazing story! I could not put it down... The story although light hearted was full of meaning and your heart went out to the main character and her family.
(Amazon Australia Customer Review)
5 out of 5 - 'An excellent read'
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I cared for the characters and wanted them all to do well... I have a better understanding of mental illness as it became clear it was not so fearful.
(Amazon UK Customer Review)
5 out of 5 - 'Entertaining and uplifting'
This book offers a fascinating insight into bipolar mood disorder and how it affects not just Angie, but everyone whose life is touched and changed by the sudden manifestation of Angie's illness... At the same time, it tells an entertaining, uplifting tale with plenty of twists. (Goodreads Review)
About the Author:
Please click here for Bel's bio or visit Bel's blog to read her 'midnight musings' on the creative writing process, the power of storytelling, travel, inspiration and more.