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Up Until Now: A memoir
Petrea King is one of those rare Australians who have changed the country for the better.' Richard Glover
As a child Petrea King was dogged by health issues, spending months in hospital over many years. After leaving school, her desire to help others impelled her to become a nurse, then later to qualify as a naturopath, herbalist, homoeopath, yoga instructor and meditation teacher.
In her early thirties Petrea was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and given little chance of surviving. She defied her dire prognosis, and believes meditation and coming to terms with past traumas, including the suicide of her brother Brenden, were key to her recovery.
Motivated by her own experiences, Petrea founded the Quest for Life Foundation to support people suffering devastating physical and mental illnesses. Up Until Now is her inspirational tale of how she overcame her own challenges to dedicate her life to others.
'The wisdom Petrea imparts, and her compassion and sensitivity, have helped hundreds of thousands of people, providing them with hope in troubled times.' Tony Delroy
As a child Petrea King was dogged by health issues, spending months in hospital over many years. After leaving school, her desire to help others impelled her to become a nurse, then later to qualify as a naturopath, herbalist, homoeopath, yoga instructor and meditation teacher.
In her early thirties Petrea was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and given little chance of surviving. She defied her dire prognosis, and believes meditation and coming to terms with past traumas, including the suicide of her brother Brenden, were key to her recovery.
Motivated by her own experiences, Petrea founded the Quest for Life Foundation to support people suffering devastating physical and mental illnesses. Up Until Now is her inspirational tale of how she overcame her own challenges to dedicate her life to others.
'The wisdom Petrea imparts, and her compassion and sensitivity, have helped hundreds of thousands of people, providing them with hope in troubled times.' Tony Delroy
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2018
I came across the Quest for Life Foundation when reading one of my Goodread books for January: 'Up Until Now', chosen because the author was Australian.
So many topics covered that are topical today although much of the story starts pre 1980's and goes into the 2000's. Self confidence, self esteem, mindfulness, resilience, religion, philosophy, relationships, travel, different cultures, health, palliative care, mentoring, bringing up kids as a sole parent and more. A book I stayed up late to finish, 'cos I can't put it down.
Petrea is a naturopath, yoga and meditation teacher who knows well that 'experiences may shape us but they do not define us.' And she quotes a fave of mine, Mahatma Gandi, 'An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.' Petrea exhorts us to 'see the other as ourselves' and learn to live passionately, with purpose.
So many topics covered that are topical today although much of the story starts pre 1980's and goes into the 2000's. Self confidence, self esteem, mindfulness, resilience, religion, philosophy, relationships, travel, different cultures, health, palliative care, mentoring, bringing up kids as a sole parent and more. A book I stayed up late to finish, 'cos I can't put it down.
Petrea is a naturopath, yoga and meditation teacher who knows well that 'experiences may shape us but they do not define us.' And she quotes a fave of mine, Mahatma Gandi, 'An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.' Petrea exhorts us to 'see the other as ourselves' and learn to live passionately, with purpose.
February 4, 2019
Wow, what an amazing story and an inspiring lady!!! The writing was not always totally polished/well structured, and later parts of the book were a little less engaging (sounded more like she was writing a resume or prospectus for the Quest For Life centre), but I am totally in awe of what she has done and achieved.
June 8, 2019
I’m glad I haven’t had her life, from the trauma of multiple operations when she was young, through a listless search for truth and identity. Her solutions weren’t ones I can engage with but each to their own. Certainly a book for people looking to improve their ability to be positive under pressure.
June 22, 2018
What an amazing woman, to have achieved so much when experiencing so much pain herself.
March 20, 2021
So dry. Disappointed that such a full, rich, and colourful life turned into a chore of a book. The events and people were interesting, the writing not so much.
October 23, 2018
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Petrea grew up in a household with a father suffering from PTSD and a demanding, yet fragile older brother who eventually killed himself alone overseas. Petrea herself is diagnosed with cancer and given a limited time left with her two children and her estranged partner. Unsatisfied and unhappy with her life, Petrea finds herself able to help others so that she can help herself.
Lyrically written and with beautiful prose, you will find yourself travelling deeply into Petrea’s consciousness throughout her life. This memoir is one of the more enjoyable ones I have read, although at times I found myself having to hold onto my disbelief at how things worked out so conveniently. I AM a scientist by trade after all.
Sometimes I felt like Petrea’s introspection was too much for me, and was too self-absorbed compared to what a normal person could achieve (although of course I would not wish her life circumstances on anyone). I think this is because I feel like only people who can go and meditate in a cave for months in peace could reach that level of enlightenment and contentedness. *If only* I think to myself, if I too could meditate for hours I would also reach that same level of being ok with the world. This is my envy speaking.
It’s important to remember that this is one woman’s story, and that she has written it to inform people about her life, and her opinions, not a life-path that everyone can follow. For people who feel inspired by her story of healing herself both physiologically and psychologically, Petrea has written a range of other novels. I would expect that those are equally well-written and enjoyable, and I will read any that wander my way.
This is a superior novel to Standing on my Brother’s Shoulders in terms of a sister dealing with her brother’s suicide. The writing style of this novel is lovely and consistent, despite Petrea’s insistence that she is not naturally good at writing (given that she didn’t have much formal schooling). You will likely enjoy this novel if you like thoughtful novels that prompt contemplation and want to balance a discussion of how Western and other Traditional practices can work together. I am overseas, and so this novel will likely not come home with me due to baggage limits, but if I was at home it would remain on my shelf.
Petrea grew up in a household with a father suffering from PTSD and a demanding, yet fragile older brother who eventually killed himself alone overseas. Petrea herself is diagnosed with cancer and given a limited time left with her two children and her estranged partner. Unsatisfied and unhappy with her life, Petrea finds herself able to help others so that she can help herself.
Lyrically written and with beautiful prose, you will find yourself travelling deeply into Petrea’s consciousness throughout her life. This memoir is one of the more enjoyable ones I have read, although at times I found myself having to hold onto my disbelief at how things worked out so conveniently. I AM a scientist by trade after all.
Sometimes I felt like Petrea’s introspection was too much for me, and was too self-absorbed compared to what a normal person could achieve (although of course I would not wish her life circumstances on anyone). I think this is because I feel like only people who can go and meditate in a cave for months in peace could reach that level of enlightenment and contentedness. *If only* I think to myself, if I too could meditate for hours I would also reach that same level of being ok with the world. This is my envy speaking.
It’s important to remember that this is one woman’s story, and that she has written it to inform people about her life, and her opinions, not a life-path that everyone can follow. For people who feel inspired by her story of healing herself both physiologically and psychologically, Petrea has written a range of other novels. I would expect that those are equally well-written and enjoyable, and I will read any that wander my way.
This is a superior novel to Standing on my Brother’s Shoulders in terms of a sister dealing with her brother’s suicide. The writing style of this novel is lovely and consistent, despite Petrea’s insistence that she is not naturally good at writing (given that she didn’t have much formal schooling). You will likely enjoy this novel if you like thoughtful novels that prompt contemplation and want to balance a discussion of how Western and other Traditional practices can work together. I am overseas, and so this novel will likely not come home with me due to baggage limits, but if I was at home it would remain on my shelf.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews