What do you think?
Rate this book
The Soul Bearers
Partly inspired by true life events, this is a story of courage, the gift of friendship, and unconditional love. The story involves three people whose lives cross for a short period of time and the profound effect that results from their interaction.
Alex, a freelance travel writer and victim of child abuse, arrives in Sydney in an attempt to exorcise the ghosts of her past. She shares a house with Steve and the disturbing Matthew, a homosexual couple. Alex finds herself inexplicably attracted to Matthew and she must battle with her repressed sexuality and fear of intimacy. Matthew, an aspiring actor, must face the prospect of a potential future without his partner, who has AIDS, and he must deal with the rejection of his socialite parents.
Steve is the rock to which the troubled Matthew and Alex cling while they examine their lives and beliefs in the hope that they will find the strength to face their pain and release the past.
This powerful story explores the true meaning of unconditional love and friendship.
Alex, a freelance travel writer and victim of child abuse, arrives in Sydney in an attempt to exorcise the ghosts of her past. She shares a house with Steve and the disturbing Matthew, a homosexual couple. Alex finds herself inexplicably attracted to Matthew and she must battle with her repressed sexuality and fear of intimacy. Matthew, an aspiring actor, must face the prospect of a potential future without his partner, who has AIDS, and he must deal with the rejection of his socialite parents.
Steve is the rock to which the troubled Matthew and Alex cling while they examine their lives and beliefs in the hope that they will find the strength to face their pain and release the past.
This powerful story explores the true meaning of unconditional love and friendship.
- GenresContemporary
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2010
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Massara
13 books51 followersSylvia Massara is a multi-genre author based in Sydney, Australia. She loves to dabble in wacky love affairs, drama, thrillers, scifi and anything else that takes her fancy over good coffee.
Born in Argentina from Italian descent and with a fusion of Spanish, Swiss and Scandinavian lineage, plus transplanted to Australia at age ten, Sylvia describes herself as a bit of a moggie cat by way of mixed pedigree. She is also a citizen of the world as she has travelled widely throughout most of her life and she is the proud owner of three passports.
As with most authors, Sylvia draws on her varied experience from the often puzzling tapestry of life and she tends to live vicariously through the many characters inside her head . Sylvia loves nature and communing with the animal kingdom (as her pampered kitty, Mia, will attest) . Occasionally, however, Sylvia ventures into the world of humans, albeit for a limited time as she prefers the unconditional and genuine company that animals bring to our planet.
Currently, Sylvia is working on her next novel plus she has a number of other projects on the go which have been approved by her eternal muse--the great David Bowie.
Born in Argentina from Italian descent and with a fusion of Spanish, Swiss and Scandinavian lineage, plus transplanted to Australia at age ten, Sylvia describes herself as a bit of a moggie cat by way of mixed pedigree. She is also a citizen of the world as she has travelled widely throughout most of her life and she is the proud owner of three passports.
As with most authors, Sylvia draws on her varied experience from the often puzzling tapestry of life and she tends to live vicariously through the many characters inside her head . Sylvia loves nature and communing with the animal kingdom (as her pampered kitty, Mia, will attest) . Occasionally, however, Sylvia ventures into the world of humans, albeit for a limited time as she prefers the unconditional and genuine company that animals bring to our planet.
Currently, Sylvia is working on her next novel plus she has a number of other projects on the go which have been approved by her eternal muse--the great David Bowie.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 18, 2012
Once the mystical tale of the Soul Bearers is revealed, the impending sorrow is evident. However, the story is not about this loss. It is about the journey that surrounds the loss. It is about discovering unconditional love, about letting go of the past in order to rejoice in the present, about learning how to love yourself enough to be open and receptive to life. Author Sylvia Massara does an excellent job of weaving the psychological evolution of the characters into the story, drawing you into their pain as well as their joy.
Alex is a woman who was damaged by her stepfather’s abuse and left home at fifteen, eventually becoming a travel writer, which allows her to avoid commitments to people or places. Her life begins to change when she makes her first commitment to putting down roots and facing her fears because it draws her into the world of Matthew and Steve.
Matthew is the gay and extraordinarily handsome partner of Steve, who is dying of AIDS. Thrown out of his home when his father discovered he was gay, Matthew depended on friends for support until he met Steve, who became the love of his life. Despite the joy of having Steve in his life, Matthew has never reconciled his feelings about being rejected so completely by his parents or the superficiality of those attracted solely by his looks.
Steve has had to face the ultimate challenge—the knowledge that he is dying. He has developed a sense of peace around the process—a peace that allows him to offer those around him unconditional love and understanding. It is a gift that both Alex and Matthew need if they are going to survive their pasts.
It takes courage to change one’s life, and Massara’s characters exhibit this reality of change. Massara doesn’t trivialize the effort required or sugarcoat the angst involved, which makes it all the more real for the reader. You may be surprised at the turn of events in this novel, but Massara doesn’t disappoint as she takes you on an emotional journey that will touch your heart.
Reviewed by Dannye Williamsen for BreakthroughBookstore.com
Alex is a woman who was damaged by her stepfather’s abuse and left home at fifteen, eventually becoming a travel writer, which allows her to avoid commitments to people or places. Her life begins to change when she makes her first commitment to putting down roots and facing her fears because it draws her into the world of Matthew and Steve.
Matthew is the gay and extraordinarily handsome partner of Steve, who is dying of AIDS. Thrown out of his home when his father discovered he was gay, Matthew depended on friends for support until he met Steve, who became the love of his life. Despite the joy of having Steve in his life, Matthew has never reconciled his feelings about being rejected so completely by his parents or the superficiality of those attracted solely by his looks.
Steve has had to face the ultimate challenge—the knowledge that he is dying. He has developed a sense of peace around the process—a peace that allows him to offer those around him unconditional love and understanding. It is a gift that both Alex and Matthew need if they are going to survive their pasts.
It takes courage to change one’s life, and Massara’s characters exhibit this reality of change. Massara doesn’t trivialize the effort required or sugarcoat the angst involved, which makes it all the more real for the reader. You may be surprised at the turn of events in this novel, but Massara doesn’t disappoint as she takes you on an emotional journey that will touch your heart.
Reviewed by Dannye Williamsen for BreakthroughBookstore.com
July 21, 2011
In The Soul Bearers, Sylvia Massara was able to make the reader feel the character's emotions. Everything from rejection of family because the character needs to be himself, resolving long ago memories of horrific child abuse, to the loss of a very dear loved one.
The reader gets a glimpse into these three people's lives, all broken in their own way, and then the reader gets to see the transformation when they become more than just close friends, they become each others family and learn what unconditional love truly is.
This was one of the most heartfelt books I have read to date. Be prepared for a roller coaster ride with this book. The author has the ability to make the reader feel as though they are there with the characters, feeling both their pain and joy. I loved this book.
The is a must read.
The reader gets a glimpse into these three people's lives, all broken in their own way, and then the reader gets to see the transformation when they become more than just close friends, they become each others family and learn what unconditional love truly is.
This was one of the most heartfelt books I have read to date. Be prepared for a roller coaster ride with this book. The author has the ability to make the reader feel as though they are there with the characters, feeling both their pain and joy. I loved this book.
The is a must read.
November 20, 2010
With The Soul Bearers, Sylvia Massara takes on three challenging and often controversial topics. While she does not besiege us with graphic details, not once does she shy away from the emotional journey. The pain is raw, the joy exhilarating. Sylvia gives us a look at the worst and the best of humanity. We could all learn a little something from her characters.
October 6, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had me sobbing from about a third of the way through, and I didn't really stop until I finished!
I loved Steve's character, and his relationship with Matthew, despite his illness, is really inspiring.
However, I wasn't too keen on the relationship between Matthew and Alex; she comes into the book as a very damaged person, and barely months after Steve's death, she is taking steps she never imagined.
I just found her overcoming her childhood problems a little too easily written, after reading for the majority of the book how broken and hurt she was.
I did, despite not really liking Alex's character, really enjoy this book, and would definitely recommend it.
I loved Steve's character, and his relationship with Matthew, despite his illness, is really inspiring.
However, I wasn't too keen on the relationship between Matthew and Alex; she comes into the book as a very damaged person, and barely months after Steve's death, she is taking steps she never imagined.
I just found her overcoming her childhood problems a little too easily written, after reading for the majority of the book how broken and hurt she was.
I did, despite not really liking Alex's character, really enjoy this book, and would definitely recommend it.
October 11, 2013
A beautifully written book and I understood the character of Alex really well....I related to her and got what she was/is going thru. But one thing with me, when there is a male/male relationship happening or I'm reading about one, I don't like woman to be involved with them. Just a choice, otherwise, a fantastic read. Very emotional and has something to say about the nature of people. It's about love, pure and simple.
August 23, 2012
Strong powerful storylines woven with an artist's touch, Massara blends themes of gay love, straight love, and mixed loves with death, rejection, and painful scenes of facing up to what really was, actually is, and what is possible or just never going to happen. There is hurt, there is also hope and through everying is truth and love.
August 18, 2014
What a very poignant story. Dealing with dying from AIDS, homosexuality, childhood sexual abuse and family abandonment made this a very gripping story. The wonderful thing about it was how positive these topics were brought to the forefront and delivered in a message of love. Don't miss this read!!
Thanks for another great book Sylvia!
Thanks for another great book Sylvia!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews