BOOK REVIEW: Horseshoe Bay: A Legacy Of Loss And Laughter

TITLE: Horseshoe Bay: A legacy Of Loss And Laughter
AUTHOR: Winifred Rowland, with Wendy J. Woodcock
PUBLISHED BY: Neilsen Publishing

Autobiographies and biographies are a firm favourite of mine and this book made me feel as though I was living through the author’s own life with laughter and tears along the way.

This heartening saga introduces readers to ninety-three-year-old Winifred Rowland; her perceptive memories will certainly entertain readers young and old, starting from her humble Manchester upbringing in squalor to living on the lovely island of Guernsey. She brings alive her view of history through childhood memories of World War 2 evacuation to present-day Covid-19 lockdown.

After securing an education, despite chaotic hit-and-miss schooling she marries and settles down to a life with her husband on the small, scenic Channel Island where she enjoys life and brings up her children living an idyllic life in a sandy horseshoe bay with its magical moments and risky hazards.

She misses her family and can’t help comparing her past, energetic post-war city life, to the new quirky island traditions she has had to get used to. But soon, sunny days of summers she’s hardly known before and rich, colourful coastal activities overcome her home-sickness and she wonders if it’s possible to return the kind-heartedness and generosity of the islanders she has grown to know and build a bond with.

She recalls her travels to see relatives in Italy and Australia and remembers tragedy striking when she least expected it along with more happy times. It is an intimate insight into one woman’s engaging and interesting life; a remarkable story which will spike reader’s curiosity as she reveals how she was not always in control of her own destiny.

This will be a perfect read for those who recognise the places mentioned in the book, the places in Manchester where she lived and worked; memories will also flood back for many who know Manchester well, especially those who were there in the same era, perhaps World War 2 evacuees or those who lived through the same challenging times.

It is a beautifully written memoir, chronicling Roland’s life from wartime Manchester to her new life on the beautiful island of Guernsey; it is full of adventure and has many eventful twists and turns along the way, it’s no surprise her daughter persuaded her to write it all down and share it. It’s an enjoyable, addictive, and emotional rollercoaster ride containing the love, laughter, and sorrow of one person’s life; some moments had me laughing out loud whilst others had me reduced to tears. It was addictive and I couldn’t put it down, wanting to hear more of Winifred and her remarkable life.

It is a very well-crafted book of an amazing tale of wisdom, love, and humour; I was hooked from the start and truly couldn’t put it down as it is so heart-warming. Winifred and daughter Wendy have written an unexpected delight; it is an autobiography filled with kindness and joy, very thought provoking and uplifting.

Reviewer - Anne Pritchard