3:14p.m. 5th July 2007

| Deb Perry - Mary Ryan's

Title: A Glimpse of Eternal Snows

Author: Jane Wilson-Howarth

Publisher: Murdoch Books

RRP: $24.95

Paperback Non-Fiction (Memoir) 432 pages

When I read the media release for this book I thought “Oh no, it’s going to be a real tear jerker” and I put it aside to concentrate on other more worldly tomes.

I could not have been more wrong and secondly, it will be a very long time before I forget this book, In fact, I hope I never do.

David, Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth’s second son, was born with serious neurological disorders. Battle after battle with the medical profession, who had diagnosed David as severely retarded, forced the family to make a life changing decision. To stay in England, where David had access to the best medical services or return to Nepal, where they could make his short life one worth living.

Against huge opposition, they returned to Nepal and that’s where this story of courage, love and beauty really begins. It’s a shared story of adventure, colour and humanity. The shining thread that pulls the book together is their love for their ‘beautiful boy’ and the disparity between the embarrassment they encountered back home to the Nepalese people’s huge love and admiration for David’s differences.

It is a celebration of life, beautifully written with clearness devoid of any self-indulgent grief or blame. David’s differences are woven tenderly within the descriptions of the vibrant Nepalese culture and the family that adored him.

Its a story of triumph and a glimpse of eternal snows.

I’m very glad I read it.

This review is kindly supplied by Deb Perry of Mary Ryan's Books, Music and Coffee. The book is available from Mary Ryan's outlets around Queensland: Milton, Bulimba, Byron Bay, Hervey Bay, New Farm, Noosa, Paddington, Springfield Lakes and Toowoomba.