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Bounty: a memoir of friendship, MS and the dog that changed everything
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26“A testament to friendship, illness and the love of a good dog. Everyone who has faced illness will recognise themselves here.” Astrid Edwards, Chair of Judges for 2025 Stella Prize
At fifty, Libby has spent years concealing the impact of multiple sclerosis, increasingly viewing life from the sidelines. When her childhood friend Emma persuades her to adopt a headstrong rescue dog, Libby has no idea how profoundly the decision will reshape them both.
As Libby struggles to manage Bounty’s exuberance, she is drawn into a local dog-park community and meets extraordinary people, including Maina, who is living with advanced multiple sclerosis. Confronted with a future she would rather not imagine, Libby retreats. But Bounty, relentless and unyielding, leads her back.
When Emma reveals her own devastating diagnosis, their roles are abruptly reversed. Libby must find the strength to become the friend Emma now needs—with Bounty as her unlikely guide.
Told with warmth and candour, Bounty explores friendship, illness and the healing power of a very determined dog.
At fifty, Libby has spent years concealing the impact of multiple sclerosis, increasingly viewing life from the sidelines. When her childhood friend Emma persuades her to adopt a headstrong rescue dog, Libby has no idea how profoundly the decision will reshape them both.
As Libby struggles to manage Bounty’s exuberance, she is drawn into a local dog-park community and meets extraordinary people, including Maina, who is living with advanced multiple sclerosis. Confronted with a future she would rather not imagine, Libby retreats. But Bounty, relentless and unyielding, leads her back.
When Emma reveals her own devastating diagnosis, their roles are abruptly reversed. Libby must find the strength to become the friend Emma now needs—with Bounty as her unlikely guide.
Told with warmth and candour, Bounty explores friendship, illness and the healing power of a very determined dog.
250 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Lancaster
2 books4 followersElizabeth is a Sydney-based author. She began her working life as an occupational therapist but changed direction after attending a writing course in New York City, while living there with her husband and two children. After a shock diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, writing would provide a lifeline.
Elizabeth’s first book, Marzipan and Magnolias, depicting her complex relationship with her idiosyncratic mother, and the onset of MS, won the inaugural Finch Memoir Prize.
Her second book, Bounty: A Memoir of Friendship, MS and the Dog That Changed Everything, takes her story in an unexpected direction. When a headstrong rescue dog storms into her life, he pulls her back into the world. Bounty leads her to a hidden dog-park community where her own assumptions about disability and belonging are challenged. This is a story of friendship, loss and the surprising ways life can open up.
Elizabeth lives in Sydney with her husband.
Elizabeth’s first book, Marzipan and Magnolias, depicting her complex relationship with her idiosyncratic mother, and the onset of MS, won the inaugural Finch Memoir Prize.
Her second book, Bounty: A Memoir of Friendship, MS and the Dog That Changed Everything, takes her story in an unexpected direction. When a headstrong rescue dog storms into her life, he pulls her back into the world. Bounty leads her to a hidden dog-park community where her own assumptions about disability and belonging are challenged. This is a story of friendship, loss and the surprising ways life can open up.
Elizabeth lives in Sydney with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVIEW
12th April 2026
TITLE: Bounty
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Lancaster
Star Rating: 5
“There’s a wonderful warmth to this memoir which took me by surprise; a warmth that stayed with me long after I’d finished reading it.” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
Oh my, this memoir (written in the style of a novel) is good. Elizabeth Lancaster, if I met you now, I’d tell you, you can write. And trust me when I say, that’s a rare talent. She did a wonderful job with the two central characters, Libby (Elizabeth) and Emma, and also with the secondary characters – including the dog, Bounty, who (a) is a handful and (b) I loved. It’s the story of a woman living with MS who, with a little encouragement from her pal, Emma, gets a dog. As a result, she ends up attending the local dog-park community where she meets all manner of characters, many of them exuberant and highly unforgettable.
There’s so much to enjoy here. Firstly, I did love the writing style. There’s an excellent balance between plot development and character development. As a result, there’s never a dull moment. Secondly, what happens to Emma was a shock – a well-handled shock – and how Libby (and the dog) help her in so many ways was very touching. Thirdly, it’s such a ‘comfy’ sort of read; the sort you curl up with on the sofa with a glass of wine. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll come away with a sense of humility; of knowing, even with MS, you can do so much. And you can be so much more than the illness which afflicts you.
I’m delighted to recommend this memoir to anybody who enjoys a character-led story. And dogs. You sort of have to like dogs. Fans of Debra Lee Won't Break by Katherine Pickett I think would particularly enjoy this book.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
EDITORIAL REVIEW
12th April 2026
TITLE: Bounty
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Lancaster
Star Rating: 5
“There’s a wonderful warmth to this memoir which took me by surprise; a warmth that stayed with me long after I’d finished reading it.” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
Oh my, this memoir (written in the style of a novel) is good. Elizabeth Lancaster, if I met you now, I’d tell you, you can write. And trust me when I say, that’s a rare talent. She did a wonderful job with the two central characters, Libby (Elizabeth) and Emma, and also with the secondary characters – including the dog, Bounty, who (a) is a handful and (b) I loved. It’s the story of a woman living with MS who, with a little encouragement from her pal, Emma, gets a dog. As a result, she ends up attending the local dog-park community where she meets all manner of characters, many of them exuberant and highly unforgettable.
There’s so much to enjoy here. Firstly, I did love the writing style. There’s an excellent balance between plot development and character development. As a result, there’s never a dull moment. Secondly, what happens to Emma was a shock – a well-handled shock – and how Libby (and the dog) help her in so many ways was very touching. Thirdly, it’s such a ‘comfy’ sort of read; the sort you curl up with on the sofa with a glass of wine. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll come away with a sense of humility; of knowing, even with MS, you can do so much. And you can be so much more than the illness which afflicts you.
I’m delighted to recommend this memoir to anybody who enjoys a character-led story. And dogs. You sort of have to like dogs. Fans of Debra Lee Won't Break by Katherine Pickett I think would particularly enjoy this book.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A beautiful and memorable memoir.
I'm very interested in reading medical memoirs, and hadn't read one about MS before. I had no idea of the signs and symptoms of this disease. I didn't know there are different types. I didn't know there are treatments-or indeed if any of them were effective in any way. All this is covered. Plus, with that gorgeous dog on the cover, I couldn't resist diving into it! Even from the author's intro, this was so easy to read.
Libby had kept her symptoms and eventual diagnosis from many people. Emma, her friend from childhood, had been one of the few who had known right from the beginning.
As well as the medical stuff, Elizabeth Lancaster's memoir tells of adopting rescue dog Bounty. Bounty's antics made me smile. What a wonderful little character he is. It was heartwarming hearing about Bounty's mischievous ways.
A wonderful mix: Medical, rescuing a dog, travels. So interesting. Some warm and wonderful memories. There are friendships with other dog owners who meet whilst walking their pets in the park. The park becomes important not just to Bounty, but just as much to Elizabeth. The park and all who went there would prove to be a tremendous support; for all of them to each other. This was such a joy to read. What I thought might be mostly sad, and bad times, had a lot of positivity. At some points, there were tears in my eyes, of joy, it's so beautiful, the connection between her and this delightful doggie. Beautiful.
An incredible memoir. It's not just about herself, it's about her friends, Emma too, and of course Bounty. Absolutely 5 stars.
I'm very interested in reading medical memoirs, and hadn't read one about MS before. I had no idea of the signs and symptoms of this disease. I didn't know there are different types. I didn't know there are treatments-or indeed if any of them were effective in any way. All this is covered. Plus, with that gorgeous dog on the cover, I couldn't resist diving into it! Even from the author's intro, this was so easy to read.
Libby had kept her symptoms and eventual diagnosis from many people. Emma, her friend from childhood, had been one of the few who had known right from the beginning.
As well as the medical stuff, Elizabeth Lancaster's memoir tells of adopting rescue dog Bounty. Bounty's antics made me smile. What a wonderful little character he is. It was heartwarming hearing about Bounty's mischievous ways.
A wonderful mix: Medical, rescuing a dog, travels. So interesting. Some warm and wonderful memories. There are friendships with other dog owners who meet whilst walking their pets in the park. The park becomes important not just to Bounty, but just as much to Elizabeth. The park and all who went there would prove to be a tremendous support; for all of them to each other. This was such a joy to read. What I thought might be mostly sad, and bad times, had a lot of positivity. At some points, there were tears in my eyes, of joy, it's so beautiful, the connection between her and this delightful doggie. Beautiful.
An incredible memoir. It's not just about herself, it's about her friends, Emma too, and of course Bounty. Absolutely 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Get this, from the intro, and tell me you're not hooked on Lancaster's memoir already:
Elizabeth Lancaster writes beautifully. In this thoughtful memoir she manages to weave into a confluent narrative her own multiple sclerosis story, her friend's cancer and the addition to her family's life of Bounty - a ratbag of a rescue Yorkie cross (perhaps). Add to that a local, almost ethereal dog park she stumbles upon one day, desperate to wear down Bounty's chaotic, loopy energy, and the new, unexpected friendships that ensue.
Highly recommended for dog lovers, anyone with an interest in MS or cancer, and anyone with friends.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I thought I saw Emma today. When I was leaving the park around sunset, there was a woman ahead of me, rounding the corner into the lane. As she glanced back over her shoulder, I almost called out to her, but I caught myself. That’s happened a lot lately. [...]
I don’t know why this is happening now; Emma died nearly three years ago. And of all places to imagine I’ve seen her – in this dog park, tucked away at the end of a narrow lane? Emma had barely believed the park existed, at least not my version of it. Yet she was the one who had encouraged me to get a dog, and in so doing, had set off this strange sequence of events.
Elizabeth Lancaster writes beautifully. In this thoughtful memoir she manages to weave into a confluent narrative her own multiple sclerosis story, her friend's cancer and the addition to her family's life of Bounty - a ratbag of a rescue Yorkie cross (perhaps). Add to that a local, almost ethereal dog park she stumbles upon one day, desperate to wear down Bounty's chaotic, loopy energy, and the new, unexpected friendships that ensue.
Highly recommended for dog lovers, anyone with an interest in MS or cancer, and anyone with friends.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review of advance copy received from Author
I devoured this beautiful story in almost one sitting, as waves of nostalgia stirred something deep inside me. Libby’s childhood stories took me back to my own Sydney childhood with friends I still have today. I laughed at the antics of Bounty, the mischievous and lovable rescue dog who became an anchor in her life and proved to be exactly what she needed; even I fell in love with him. Her unexpected connection with the dog park people was so relatable, as I have a similar community in my local area. Libby’s friendship with Emma made me long for friendships I’ve lost along the way. I want to pick up the phone while I still can…
Excellent writing, Libby’s storytelling will leave a lasting impression on your heart long after you turn the last page. I wept when I closed the book, and I don’t often cry over books. Truly brilliant read!
Excellent writing, Libby’s storytelling will leave a lasting impression on your heart long after you turn the last page. I wept when I closed the book, and I don’t often cry over books. Truly brilliant read!
Review of advance copy
This story is about the love of a dog called Bounty, the love of family and the love of friends with a backdrop of Multiple Sclerosis. With humanity and humour, the reader is taken to London, West Berlin, New York and a local dog park in Turramurra, Sydney. It is a story of denial of an unpredictable disease and symptoms that temporarily take away the author’s mobility, taste, smell and vision. As her dog Bounty bounds into her life and relishes the mobility, tastes, smells of the dog park, Libby’s life opens up. The lifelong friendship with Emma is pivotal in the book and is beautifully described along with her health challenges. It is a journey brilliantly told which left me feeling that friendship, furry or otherwise, is magical.
Review of advance copy
Both a heart breaking and heart warming memoir of friendship, MS and her dog. Follows this author's story of MS and the friendships she makes at the local park, as well as the ongoing friendship of her best friend, Emma. Really well told and a highly recommended read. Loved it. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy and leave this review willingly.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews