In 1994, 21 years after her disappearance, Lucy Partington’s remains were discovered in Fred and Rosemary West’s basement at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester. In this powerful and lyrical book, Lucy’s elder sister, Marian, reclaims Lucy from the status of victim and finds an authentic and compassionate response to her traumatic loss. Her inspiring narrative of healing draws on Buddhist and Quaker practices and culminates in restorative justice work in prisons.
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Reviews
We are spared no aspect of the anguish, confusion and anger experienced, but are also told an extraordinary story of inner movement and growth - growth in a faith much less orthodox on the face of it than Lucy's ardent Catholicism but equally deep and serious. It is a book about the massive difficulty of anything like reconciliation in the wake of outrage. There is nothing easily consoling here, but rather a sense of stillness, acceptance and hope - both given and worked for.
There is not a sentence in this book that has not been felt, fought for and hard won.
This is not a story of 'coping with loss', nor of 'overcoming emotion', nor less of 'achieving forgiveness'. It is the story of simply, doggedly and patiently refusing to accept the path of victimhood, revenge or bitter resentment. Instead Marian has walked the way of uncertainty, humility and hope which, through spiritual struggle and human kindness, accepts and transforms sadness, loss and evil.
An outstanding and beautifully crafted redemptive memoir.
If You Sit Very Still should feature on everybody's bookshelf alongside such life guides as Shakespeare and the Bible.
An anguished, gruellingly honest and lyrical cry from the heart.