Song for Ria

'A penetrating view into what it means to grieve, and then to heal … a captivating story' Karen Harradine Talented composer Alison Connaught has spent her career writing music for big names, but when her actress daughter, Ria, dies from an overdose, Alison is numb and can no longer compose. Haunted by the feeling that she has somehow let Ria down, Alison searches for answers, first during an intense stay with a Hopi shaman and then by travelling to Hollywood to try to piece together the many parts of Ria’ s life that have so far eluded her. As she meets her daughter’ s friends, colleagues and therapists, Alison finally begins to understand the realities of Ria’ s life, opening the door to self expression and a different kind of music, inspired by stirred/raw feelings and the spirit of Ria. Michelle Shine’ s skill as a storyteller brings Alison’ s thoughts and actions to life in this visceral and deeply moving tale of grief, regret and ultimately, hope.

About the Author

Michelle Shine was born in London in 1956 and lives in Hampstead. She is the author of Mesmerised, a historical novel about the Impressionists, narrated by their friend, fellow artist, doctor and homeopath, Paul Gachet, and The Subtle Art of Healing which was long listed for the Cinnamon Press novella award in 2007. Her short stories have appeared in Liars League, Grey Sparrow, Ephiphany and several collections. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck.