'Well now, prove it, Sheila. As John would say, "Put your money where your mouth is." Be a depressed widow boring the arse off everyone, or get on with life. Your choice.' In The Two of Us Sheila relived her life with John Thaw - years packed with love and family, delight and despair. And then she looked ahead. What next? Gardening, grannying and grumbling, while they all had their pleasures, weren't going to fill the aching void that John had left. 'Live adventurously', a Quaker advice, was hovering around her brain. Putting her and John's much loved house in France on the market she embarked on a series of journeys. She tried holidaying alone, contending with invisibility and budget flights. She tried travelling in a group, but the questions she wanted to ask were never the ones the guide wanted to answer. She tried relaxing - harder than you might think. Finally, heading out of her comfort zone, she found her travels, and the things she discovered, led her back to her past; to consider her generation - the last to experience the Second World War - and the kind of person it made her. Just Me is a book about moving on, but it is also about looking back, and looking anew. Sheila, whether facing down burglars and Easyjet staff or making friends with waiters and taxi drivers, whether unearthing secrets in Budapest, getting arrested in Thailand, exulting in the art of Venice or searching for a decent cup of coffee in Dorset, is never less than stimulating company. Honest - because if you can't say what you think at seventy-three, when can you? - insightful and wonderfully down to earth, she is a woman seizing the future with wit, gusto and curiosity, on her own.
Just Me
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'Heartbreakingly moving wise, funny and deeply touching' Daily Mail 'The thousands of people - many of them widows - will again find solace and comfort in what she has to tell them. But so will many others - those who warm to her gift for directly communicating the open-heartedness and spirit of adventure with which she confronts her life It is the stuff of bestsellers' Joan Bakewell, Guardian 'A bright, often witty account of a life moving forward. She tells her story with youthful vigour' Woman's Weekly 'Glorious' Paul O'Grady
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'Written with wit, warmth and insight, Sheila's new book describes moving on, looking at life anew, as well as looking back.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved `The Two of Us', Sheila's autobiography of her life with John Thaw, and felt doubtful that she could recreate the warmth and quality of this book in a volume entirely about herself and her dealings with widowhood. However, I've never been more wrong - this is an honest, enlightening account of her experiences as a widow, which has inspired me more than any other book I have ever read. Sheila's spirit, her vivacity and sheer courage are alive on every page, and I found myself reading this as slowly as possible, in order to savour every word. It's hard to believe this feisty chick is 75 years old!
This book should be prescribed on the NHS to the depressed, the recently-bereaved and the down-at-heart, as it's more soul-soothing than any self-help book. Please carry on writing Sheila; you're as good an author as you are an actress!
This book should be prescribed on the NHS to the depressed, the recently-bereaved and the down-at-heart, as it's more soul-soothing than any self-help book. Please carry on writing Sheila; you're as good an author as you are an actress!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having read 'The Two of Us" and loved Sheila's writing, I had to read this too and it is joy. My heart broke for her all over again on several occasions and I did hug my husband more tightly after reading it.
But this is not just about widowhood, although it would be so very helpful to someone in that situation.
Sheila has such a light touch and her intelligence, sensitivity and sense of fun leap from the page.
Don't be put off by thinking this is a depressing book about a widow - it is so much more than that. It is by turns heartbreaking, thought provoking, informative, inspirational and ultimately, uplifting.
Thank you Sheila for a beautifully written, highly enjoyable book. xxx
But this is not just about widowhood, although it would be so very helpful to someone in that situation.
Sheila has such a light touch and her intelligence, sensitivity and sense of fun leap from the page.
Don't be put off by thinking this is a depressing book about a widow - it is so much more than that. It is by turns heartbreaking, thought provoking, informative, inspirational and ultimately, uplifting.
Thank you Sheila for a beautifully written, highly enjoyable book. xxx
76 of 81 people found the following review helpful
By H. Carlton
Format:Hardcover
This account by Sheila Hancock of how she coped with widowhood is honest, gripping and nicely-written.
I am not sure who it is intended for....other widows, perhaps, who might (while they are reading this) aquire a little of Mrs Thaw's courage in getting out there after deciding that life, what's left of it, is worth living after all.
It might help other women who find themselves in her situation.
And any single person who travels will sympathise and identify with her graphic account of how it feels to walk into a hotel restaurant for dinner and a table for one. (Take a book!)
I think she's gutsy, and a good writer.
I am not sure who it is intended for....other widows, perhaps, who might (while they are reading this) aquire a little of Mrs Thaw's courage in getting out there after deciding that life, what's left of it, is worth living after all.
It might help other women who find themselves in her situation.
And any single person who travels will sympathise and identify with her graphic account of how it feels to walk into a hotel restaurant for dinner and a table for one. (Take a book!)
I think she's gutsy, and a good writer.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational
I loved this book from the first page. I chose to read Just Me because I lost my husband 3 years ago and have struggled to cope. SheilA is a great humanitarian. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Susan Price
4.0 out of 5 stars
sheila hancock
Thought id give this a try as had seen Miss Hancock in Cabaret .Not what i expected really enjoyed her frankness and willingness to challenge herself and change her own opinions. Read more
Published 1 month ago by robert t
5.0 out of 5 stars
Therapy
Marvelous book written from the heart. I lost my husband to throat, 15 months ago. Sheila Hancock has given me hope through her book that perhaps I will be ok someday, as I have... Read more
Published 1 month ago by lyn obrien
5.0 out of 5 stars
EASTER 2013
This book of Sheila's has been a joy to read, very articulate, has given me, confidence to go solo travelling
It has made me smile & made me cry
Congratulations to... Read more
It has made me smile & made me cry
Congratulations to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Christine Geldard
5.0 out of 5 stars
worth reading
I have this book in hard back, loved it and wanted to read it again. Decided that a copy on my Kindle would suit me this time, that way I could read it where ever I was.
Published 1 month ago by m
4.0 out of 5 stars
After 'The two of us'
Wanted to read this follow up book. Enjoyed the first one and lost my partner same time as Sheila lost John Thaw. Read more
Published 2 months ago by arctic monkey
3.0 out of 5 stars
ITS OK
Not a bad read but I have read better. A very average read. She could have written more I am sure!
Published 2 months ago by james mcalpine
2.0 out of 5 stars
bad condition of book Just Me
this book arrived in a bad condition-cover creased, many of the pages were dog eared- I just can't handle a book in this state. Read more
Published 3 months ago by minerva
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Life of Childhood Memories
I could empathize with Sheila Hancocks childhood memories of war time Britain, and how they have effected and influenced her throughout her life.
Published 4 months ago by Judith whitehead
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
Wanted to read this as I was a great fan of the other one she wrote. I loved John Thaw in everything he did and this book was just lovely to read.
Published 4 months ago by jane
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