The Red of my Blood: A Death and Life Story

Reviews

LaylaLane

I bought Clover’s book immediately after reading her article in The Guardian about the loss of her sister. I don’t think reading it will help me in any way (other than being in awe of how articulate a writer she is) because I don’t have any grief to contend with but I feel compelled to finish it. I wanted to send a copy to my friend who just lost her sister but I don’t think I dare, not yet anyway.

The pain she describes, how it took over every inch and moment of her life (she struggled to appear normal, having to focus on a tiny detail like colour while her children talked to her or she tries to do normal things with her sanity hanging by a thread) is just almost unbearable to read…But read it I must! Mainly I felt compelled to let my sister know that life without her would be unbearable. It is hard to recommend something that is so painful to read but she writes so beautifully, so masterfully articulating her grief that it is impossible to not be in awe and then how can you not recommend that? Perhaps what I would say is- proceed with caution.

Because she feels about her sister how I feel about mine. I do not know how she has survived this. It is not an easy read and so deeply difficult to delve into if you’re not feeling mentally strong. I could not love her more than I do, our sibling bond means everything to me and plays such a huge role in my life.