The Book Band

This collection of short prose and stories presents the author’s personal and reflective pieces on the relationship between spirituality and illness. Bulmer says that her intention was to “place sickness in cultural, contemporary and even historical settings”.

The stories in this collection showcase and reflect upon how different characters struggle with physical, mental and emotional illnesses–their own or that of someone they know and perhaps love. Some stories are short vignettes, offering the reader a glimpse into a life or situation; others are more detailed, providing an opportunity for a more emotional involvement by the reader. All are exquisitely crafted in poetic language.

Most, but not all, sections begin with a woman’s name; each story has its own title and introduces a character commenting/reflecting on their reactions to various health issues that have an impact upon them or someone close to them.