The Summer of the Bees

In November 2005 two young parents took their ten month old baby to a paediatrician. He had been crying incessantly, his mood had changed and his eye had become slightly squint. The paediatrician’s diagnosis wasn’t good.

This is the true story of a young child undergoing treatment for a rare brain tumour. The story is told by Michael’s father, with alternating passages written in Michael’s voice. It is an honest and extremely personal account of the confusion, fear and sadness felt by the parents and Michael himself. Amidst the despair, Andy describes the many moments of happiness, with self-deprecating humor and charm. Despite Michael’s illness the family experiences many of the joys and adventures of being new parents.

Andy Sutherland writes from the heart, without pretence or ego, and lets readers into the most private spaces of his family, his relationship and his own thoughts. He addresses universal issues of family, faith and friendship, and forces readers to consider the balance between love and suffering, and the importance of letting go. Michael will make you laugh and cry in the same breath, and will leave you profoundly moved.

ISBN-13: 9781770100817
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