The Blurb
An adventure story – with a difference
Jessica Hepburn is an unlikely athlete – she was labelled the ‘arty’ not the ‘sporty’ one in school. She hates exercise and believes the only reason to do it is for food, booze and box-sets on the sofa. However, in her forties, following a succession of hard and sad life experiences she started to try and exercise her way out of heartbreak. She has now become one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance athletes. The first and only woman (currently) on the planet to have completed the ‘Sea, Street, Summit Challenge’ – which is to swim the English Channel, run the London Marathon and climb Mount Everest (which she calls Chomolungma – the mountain’s original Sherpa name). And possibly the only woman (although this can’t be officially certified) to have listened to eighty years and over 3,000 episodes of her favourite radio programme - Desert Island Discs.
Save Me From The Waves is an inspirational story of physical and mental endurance which starts on the streets of London and culminates on top of the world, fuelled by
song. It explores the redemptive power of music and mountains. How family and friends can be lost and found in the most unusual places. And encourages everyone to live big and bravely when life doesn’t go to plan. Because sometimes we all need saving from the waves. And whether it’s high and far away or closer to home and in your head, an adventure will always change your life for the better.
I was staying with my parents when I read this which meant a couple of things. I don't get as much h time to read, otherwise I might have got through this in a day, and I watch TV programmes that I wouldn't normally watch. One such programme was extolling the virtues of Somerset and visited the city of Bath during it's annual Jane Austen Festival - bear with me here - and I was struck by the level of enthusiasm and commitment, geekiness if you will (and I say this with affection) of the people taking part, full of admiration for them. It's not my thing but it was theirs, and they had embraced it wholeheartedly! But it brought to mind Jessica Hepburn and her love for Desert Island Discs, and her enthusiasm and commitment with spreadsheets, thousands of notes and cross references dedicated to the show. And that's before we even mention her walking! Or Everest/Chomolungma!
Desert Island Discs is Jessica Hepburn's favourite radio show. Having read this book, I doubt she's got time for any other programmes! After trauma, heartache and heartbreak she started to listen to episodes of the show, and took to walking, initially around London, listening all the while on her headphones. And found that the two together helped her process her emotions. Somewhere along the line, she got the idea she would climb Everest, so the walls for longer and further afield and she had time to listen to more Desert Island Discs episodes. And she casually mentions that she ran the London Marathon and swam the English Channel! It's all a bit bonkers - again said with affection - and I am here for that.
For anyone not from the UK or unfamiliar with Desert Island Discs, it's a long running radio programme featuring renowned people from all walks of life - arts, science, industry, sport, social enterprise etc. The guest has to imagine being stranded on a desert island, and asked to pick eight pieces of music to take with them (which are played for the listeners), one book (in addition to the Bible and the complete works of William Shakespeare) and one luxury item, whilst talking to the host about their life and the reasons behind their choices. Then at the end of the show, the guest must pick just one piece of music to save from the waves. I must confess I have never listened to a full episode (this book has made me want to though!) But Jessica has listened to 3000+ episodes. That's a lot of guests and a lot of music - hence the spreadsheets! I loved how she describes listening, as if she was walking along with the interviewee, having a conversation with them. For example, about Paul McCartney she writes:
'However, we were together (Paul and I) in Glencoe in Scotland...For more Munro-bagging...Which is why I took him there.'
And just a page or two later, about actor Penelope Wilton:
'...she shared with me a love of walking...And I knew we were going to get on well.'
Her castaway friends give her advice, pass on wisdom and share experiences. The author has found comfort listening to other women talk about being unable to have a child, as she herself has been. And the castaways have reminded her of music she loved and introduced her to music she's come to love. But I also loved her descriptions of all the different places she walked, in London and beyond, and the wee pubs she visited.. Was happy to see the Malvern Hills get a mention as I grew up in nearby Worcester (where I was reading the book) and was pleased to see she loved her visits to Scotland as that's now where I'm based.
The book is split into sections where the author chooses her eight songs for different situations - songs of childhood, sad and happy songs, songs for climbing mountains etc - and shares the details of the Desert Island Discs guest that chose them and why, and discusses the memories or emotions they invoke in her. It's fascinating reading. Jessica Hepburn is the same age as me and I am astounded by all that she has achieved, more so given all the endurance stuff has only happened in the last ten years. But I'm also saddened by the amount of heartbreak, grief and trauma she has had to deal with, much of which is discussed here but some I got the sense she is still processing. Her ascent of Chomolungma, Mother Goddess of the World, a mountain which clearly means so much to her, was such an incredible achievement but even that was marred by injury and trauma. But Jessica is still standing, to paraphrase Elton John, and I hope still smiling, because I think she's pretty incredible.
Save Me From The Waves is a pretty unique book, I think. A memoir with a difference. Definitely an adventure story, although that comes later, but a kind of diary of a healing process. I loved all the music references and will be looking a few up to listen to, and maybe some other episodes of Desert Island Discs too! Whilst there are sad and poignant moments along the way, I think this is a tale of overcoming and healing. Maybe she still has a way to go but Jessica Hepburn has achieved so much. I loved the geeky aspect of her list making and spreadsheets and was well up for the endnotes - think I checked every one - which she apologises for at the beginning. I might not want to climb Everest after reading this book, but I do want to start a spreadsheet to note all the pieces of music I now want to check out, and that's because of this book. Highly recommend.
The Author
Thanks for the blog tour support x
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