Main description:

A moving, life-affirming story of how two people found deep meaning and love in their lives while meeting the challenges of leukaemia. During an improvisation and clown training class, Nick and Amanda meet. They're both going through big transitions but feel a strong connection to each other. Love grows sweetly and tenderly as they start a relationship. Amanda has leukaemia and with raw honesty explains to Nick that her future is very uncertain. He is unsure if he can cope with the possibility of her dying, but then through a dream finds the certainty to commit to supporting her whatever may come. Wrestling with the Angel is the story of Amanda's relationship with her illness as it progresses and of Nick's responses to the difficult changes. It reveals their deeper thoughts and emotions and how they manage the approach of her dying. This is a delicate and sensitive account of their love and feelings as her illness moves on. The book affirms the importance of living every moment of our lives, however difficult that may be. As the situation becomes more challenging the writing becomes more poetic and mystical to remind us that dying is as much a part of life as living. Leukaemia affects every part of our lives, not just our bodies. It reverberates through our emotions, thinking processes and inner spiritual life. Wrestling with the Angel highlights the importance of relating consciously and honestly and offers inspiration to others seeking positive and creative ways to live with life threatening disease. Thoughtfully-written, this book will appeal to counsellors and therapists, doctors, professional carers, and partners, families and friends of sufferers.