Discover the profound journey of self-discovery in 'Every Morning, So Far, I’m Alive'. This compelling memoir from author Wendy Parkins delves into the challenging experience of adapting to life far from home and the impact of mental health struggles, including contamination phobia and OCD. As she recounts her migration from New Zealand to England, Wendy shares her poignant reflections on the alienation that can arise from homesickness and career burnout. This book is a deeply moving exploration of what it means to reclaim one's identity and find a sense of belonging in an often daunting world. With beautifully crafted prose, 'Every Morning, So Far, I’m Alive' transcends just a personal story; it invites readers to ponder vital questions about life, purpose, and recovery. Perfect for anyone interested in memoirs, mental health, and resilience, this paperback edition features 220 pages of heartfelt and humorous anecdotes. Dimensions of 150 x 230 mm make it a convenient read wherever you go. Dive into this unique narrative that showcases the author's candid journey toward recovery and self-acceptance, reminding us all to honor our stories and embrace life's unpredictability. Order your copy today and feel the warmth of genuine storytelling. Plus, enjoy combined shipping on your order. This title is available in stock in New Zealand, meaning no surprise import charges or customs duties—just the joy of reading a remarkable memoir from the comfort of your home.

CONDITION: Brand New
Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm
Pages: 220
Bind: paperback
Author: Wendy Parkins Publisher: Otago University Press


Every morning, so far, I’m alive is about what it’s like to live in a world where shaking a stranger’s hand, catching a taxi or touching a door handle are fraught with fear and dread. This memoir charts the author’s breakdown after migrating from New Zealand to England: what begins as homesickness and career burn-out develops into depression, contamination phobia and OCD. Increasingly alienated from all the things that previously gave her life meaning and purpose – family, work, nature, literature – the author is forced to confront a question once posed by the young Virginia Woolf: ‘How is one to live in such a world?’ In this fiercely honest memoir Wendy Parkins, a former English professor, explores what it means to belong and feel at home, and how we are shaped by our first environments, both familial and physical. Describing the gradual process of recovery – as well as its reversals – it shows that returning to health can be about rediscovering how we came to be who we are, without becoming trapped by our narratives of origin. Like coming home, recovery is never quite what we expect it to be, however much we long for it. Beautifully written, intensely moving and threaded with self-deprecating humour, Every morning, so far, I’m alive is about claiming the right to tell our own story and learning to embrace the risks that the messy unpredictability of life always entails.

We are happy to combine shipping. Smartfox is a NZ owned business located in Auckland. This product is in stock in NZ which means no unexpected import charges, custom duty or tax.