Beating Against the Current

Wow. This book hit hard and hit deep. Once I started reading it, a lot of things that Jay Winston had to deal with, related to or resonated with my own life experiences. Especially over the last couple of years.
What do you do when your life starts to fall apart, when your veneer of perfection crumbles around you and you’re forced to face your darkest memories, your demons and your past.
The author deals with extremely difficult and challenging subjects, including but not limited to grief, addiction & guilt.
This is written with poise, grace and intelligence.
I personally found it emotional at times, but as I said, I found it extremely relatable.
I would recommend this to anyone.

The novel starts as Jay Winston's life begins to fall apart. He's an English man living and working in San Diego. He's a University professor. A trusted man. Until suddenly he's not. At times his only confidant is Robbie, his dead brother, who offers advice from beyond the grave.
The author tackles some incredibly difficult and sensitive subjects with integrity and skill.
This is a novel about grief and learning to cope with it; and it's about marriage and learning to value one's intended life partner; and it's about coming to terms with addiction and learning how to move on; and it's about guilt and learning when it's relevant and when it's not - and ultimately it's a novel about finding oneself when all else seems lost.
The characterisation is first class. The various relationships evolve through subtle nuances to offer hope where once there was none. A reading experience that urges one to embark on a journey of self-discovery.