Absent Children

by Juli Townsend

Two births, two tragedies. A family battered but resilient and searching for the answers they need to bring them solace and help them heal.

When the birth of their first baby goes devastatingly wrong, Jessamy and Luke's grief is complicated by the guilt the each feel, and their marriage deteriorates. A meeting with an inspirational person and some important news help them on their journey, until a new complication threatens to destroy their fragile marriage. Supporting them throughout their journey, is their faithful canine companion, Claude.

Birth, death, forgiveness, and acceptance are the warp and weave of Jessamy and Luke’s story. But most of all, Absent Children is about love — the love between a man and a woman, and the love of parents for their children, present and absent.

312 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2013

About the author

After ten years living in America and Scotland with my husband, we have finally returned to our homeland, Australia. It is excellent to be home again.
Living in America forced me to give up my profession as a midwife and nurse, but the loss was softened when I discovered the joy of writing. My experiences in both jobs have inspired and supplied me with ample fuel for my fiction.
I enjoy reading contemporary women's fiction but don't confine myself to that genre.
I love babies, animals, birds, flowers, trees, mountains, beaches, lakes, snowflakes, and sunshine.

Reviews

[Donna Riegel]

This was an excellent book. The description in it about midwife birth was really interesting. The story was good and I enjoyed the ending of the book.

[Angela Suzanne]

I received this book from the first reads giveaways. At first when I started reading this book, I was a little turned off because I don't generally like first person books but I forced myself to continue reading so I could review it. I also found it a little strange initially to jump from Jessamy's point-of-view to Luke's point-of-view. However, once I got into it, I find it really cool to be able to get both points-of-view instead of just the one. I think it gave a little more depth to the story then had the author stuck with just Jessamy's viewpoint throughout the book. I could have done without the swearing and the sex scenes but I know the author was probably trying to show a certain emotion with them. Overall, I thought this was a very well written book and I enjoyed reading about Luke and Jessamy's journey of trying to repair their marriage but also getting over what happened to their first baby.

[Marcy Prentice coe]

I received this book from the first reads giveaways. To be honest I found it a tad odd at first that the point-of-view would jump from Jessamy's to Luke's point, but in the end I think this helps the reader to better understand the emotions of both individuals as they attempt to fix their marriage and come to grips with what happened to their first baby. I enjoyed the book, and think everyone should have a Claude in their lives.

[Ann Warner]

Wonderful book. Touching story that changed my mind about home birth.

[Margaret Johnson]

Jessamy and Luke are meant to be together, but life has dealt them a harsh blow and they have different ways of coping with it. The author skilfully shows us both sides of a marriage where the couple is trying to cling on to hope. A meeting with an inspirational person and some important news help them on their journey. And of course their faithful canine companion, Claude! I wish there were more Claudes in the world, and I've been listening to my own dog lately to see if he makes any sense! Nothing so far!

An emotional, feel-good story that stays in your mind after you've finished it.