Product Description

I can breathe deeply again, sleep soundly once more like I remember as a child, and I realise why now. I have found my way back to the sound of water… Moon Daisy spans the Atlantic and the years, a story of roots and ghosts, music and nature. Violin virtuoso Jessica Healey sits in her London flat thinking of killing herself, when the phone rings and there begins a rare and beautiful English journey. Through a 19th century orphan's journal she finds herself carried to a lost world of water gypsies and teeming wildlife. The Norfolk wind blows to her soul, and the secret of her very being is revealed as their two lives, separated by a century, weave closer and closer … until they touch.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41806 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 313 pages

Synopsis
I can breathe deeply again, sleep soundly once more like I remember as a child, and I realize why now. I have found my way back to the sound of water...American violin virtuoso Jessica Healey sits in her London flat thinking of killing herself, when the phone rings and there begins a rare and beautiful English journey. Through a 19th century orphan's journal she finds herself carried to a lost world of water gypsies and teeming wildlife. The Norfolk wind blows to her soul, and the secret of her very being is revealed as their two lives, separated by a century, weave closer and closer...until they touch. An incredibly vivid novel, "Count The Petals Of The Moon Daisy" spans the Atlantic and the years, a story of roots and ghosts, of profound music and nature.

About the Author
Author Martin Kirby, whose last book No Going Back - Journey to Mother s Garden has been translated into Dutch, Portuguese and Catalan, is a former UK daily newspaper deputy editor and journalist specialising in local and natural history. For six years he has been based in Catalonia near Barcelona, Spain, where he writes books as well as articles for newspapers and magazines in the UK and abroad. He is also a farmer s husband. He and partner Maggie Whitman have two children - Ella, 6, and Joe Joe, 7 - and the family and their ecological grape and olive farm, Mother s Garden, were seen by millions in the very first, and a subsequent, episode of the hugely popular Channel 4 series No Going Back. Martin is currently completing a novel set in Catalonia and a follow-up to No Going Back.

Customer Reviews

A beautifully crafted book
I had read Martin's earlier book 'No Going Back' after catching some of their story of relocating to Spain on the Channel 4 series of the same name. That book stood out as being extremely well written and a pleasure to read.

Before emigrating Martin had worked as a sub-editor for a Norfolk newspaper, and I guess that a lifetime of words has honed his writing skills to the high standard which we are now able to enjoy from his hand.

Moon Daisy is his first work of fiction, it intertwines the stories of two women from different centuries and different lands. Contemporary Jess (born in America) is a broken woman; a celebrated concert violinist who can no longer face the audience, the music, or even the world, and has turned to drink. Her former tutor and mentor Rudi gifts to her the opportunity of a place of sanctuary and the chance to read Jess' journal.

It is a beautifully crafted book, so cleverly written, with descriptions that will remind you of Charles Dickens or Thomas Hardy.

From the very first paragraph you will be hooked. That opening paragraph is in itself a fabulous piece of work. I have shown it to two members of my family and both went on to read all three pages of the opening chapter - they are now queuing to read it!

I do not doubt that Martin Kirby will go on to win awards for his writing.

Peace in a hurried world.
A book that can fill your days with beauty, exhibiting a connection to a well-loved landscape and celebrating the values of compassion and humanity with distilled wisdom. A lyrical,quintessentially English novel, beautifully crafted.

A wonderful and well written story
I finished reading this book last night and it passed the 'no matter how tired I am, I will stay up until I get to the end' test, by which all books should be judged. It's a wonderful and well written story and will be enjoyed by anyone who has an appreciation of the countryside, for music or a good story. I read Kirby's first book 'No Going Back - Journey to Mother's Garden' some years ago after watching the programme on channel 4 about giving up the rat-race in the UK and emigrating with his young family to a mountain farm in Spain. I liked Kirby's style then and it has translated well into fiction. Its a clever story - tying in two main characters and their lives in different time periods, one struggling with loss, alcholism and damaged relationships, the other living in another time but with challenges of her own. The plot builds through the book and their stories become entwined before reaching an unexpected conclusion which leaves you feeling satisfied, and somewhat pleased at yourself for 'getting it'.

Buy it. Read it at home, on holiday - wherever, but expect some late nights.