A poignant and engrossing story of family, love, hardship, and remembrance.
He was just a quiet boy from Birmingham... but war would change everything.Edward Bolton dreamed of flying while the world around him pushed him toward factory work and hardship. Then came 1939. Love, loss, war, and memories too painful to carry alone. Decades later, a chance meeting in a hospital uncovers the hidden life of an unsung hero.If you love emotional historical fiction with romance and family drama, Slicing Clouds belongs on your shelf.
Edward Bolton moves through life with remarkable ease from a young age, seemingly untouched by adversity. Born in Birmingham, England in 1920 and faced with various hardships, he manages to find happiness in his environment. He spends much of his time daydreaming, often about flying, which frustrates his teachers.
Having to start work at the age of ten, Edward becomes a skilled metalworker, yet his social awkwardness and background hold him back. His story intertwines his working family, romance and sports until the outbreak of war in 1939, when he joins the RAF, seeing it as an opportunity to finally take to the skies. The impact of war shatters his world, exposing him to hardships he had never before encountered.
Following a series of tragic events, Edward approaches the end of his life filled with bitterness and resentment.
During this turbulent period, while Edward is confined to a hospital bed, he crosses paths with Skye Ferguson, whose husband occupies the bed beside him. As unexpected events unfold, Skye becomes increasingly drawn to Edward's past, and her curiosity pushes her to uncover the milestones he reached and the hardships that shaped his life.
Drawn deeply into his quiet sorrow and silent strength, she finds herself wanting to capture his life in writing - not out of duty, but out of a tender need to understand him. A book that would become a gentle voice to trace the shadows of his later years and honour the weight of his struggles and the quiet dignity of his achievements, giving him the recognition he was never granted in life.
Industry Reviews
"An excellent story that provides a great example of how human beings often suffer in silence. When we are suffering emotionally it's hard to find anything good in our lives and sometimes the pain turns to anger. That is what happens to Mr. Bolton."
"Richard D Ross's eloquent prose and nuanced analysis make this book a profound read, offering readers a deep understanding of the human psyche. Each chapter is rich with thought-provoking reflections and real-life examples, making the book both relatable and intellectually stimulating."
"Overall, this book is a beautifully written and emotionally engaging novel that will resonate with readers long after they turn the last page. Richard D. Ross has crafted a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, earning it a well-deserved place on the bookshelf."
"Very touching story about empathy and how you never know what someone has been through. Situations happen in life and you never know how you will react to them."
"I loved Slicing Clouds. It was full of emotion and human feelings. Definitely a fit for book club discussions."
"A family saga with real emotional weight."
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