‘I never knew i could fly so high, so free...’
Influenced by her parents, music and travel are Chrissie’s whole life, but after seven years on the road and a family tragedy on a cycling tour of Tanzania, she loses the heart for both. As her thirtieth birthday approaches, life for the former singer appears to be back on track as she settles in London with boyfriend, Tim.
Only Chrissie’s not so sure that she’s the settling-down kind. Her dream is to follow in her travel-writer mother’s tyre-prints, to tour Africa by bike and see as much of the world as she can. As she struggles with her choices, Chrissie becomes intrigued by a newspaper article about the adventurous, unconventional life story of a woman three times her age.
Despite her father’s early advice, Chrissie rarely has the courage to speak up and is afraid to hurt those closest to her. Events reach crisis-point, and on the day she turns thirty Chrissie panics and leaves her own party suddenly. What happens next is both astounding and revealing.
Praise for The Songbird’s Way
“There is a constant melodic feel throughout, as Barrett blends her love of music and her love of travel together. The result is a smooth mixture of different cultures and a diverse range of characters. Many of whom will linger long after the last page is turned. The writing is tranquil, even and very readable. In fact, I read the whole thing in one sitting.”
“This is a novel with a warm, embracing feel about it. The story may seem average to start with (a young woman, trying to see her future while still unsure of her true role in life), but within a few pages, this ordinary concept becomes extra-ordinary. It takes on a new meaning and the author brings us on a multi-layered, multi-coloured journey.”
“A warm and soulful read that teaches us the importance of staying true to ourselves. ”
“There’s an almost lyrical quality to the writing in The Songbird’s Way, which makes it a book you can truly wind down with. It was somewhat different to anything else I would normally read, so I was surprised by how much I was drawn into the mood of the story. . . I really enjoyed the travel and traditional musical influences that are a common thread blending the three countries of England, Ireland and Zambia into the story. Even though there’s much to contribute, at no time is Chrissie’s voice rushed and the scene-setting is sublime. . . I was surprised by how much I loved Chrissie’s journey to her final destination – it was a truly memorable one.”