The Owl at the Window

'She is dead. She was here just now and she was alive. How can she suddenly be dead? People in history are dead. Old people are dead. Grandparents are dead. Other people are dead. Not people like me. Not this person. The person I was married to. Had a child with. Not the person who was standing next to me. Chatting. Laughing. Being.'

Shock is just one of many emotions explored in award-winning TV comedy writer Carl Gorham's account of his bereavement which is by turns deeply moving and darkly humorous.

Part love story, part widower's diary, part tales of single parenting, it tells of his wife's cancer, her premature death and his attempts to rebuild his life afterwards with his six -year old daughter.

Realised in a series of vivid snapshots, it takes the reader on an extraordinary journey from Oxford to Australia, from Norfolk to Hong Kong through fear, despair, pain and anger to hope, laughter and renewal.

The Owl at the Window is a fresh and original exploration of what it means to lose a partner in your forties, and how Carl learned to live again.

“The Owl at the Window is an amazing and completely compelling book. It is both funny and sad, and so moving, I couldn't put it down.”

The Owl at the Window is an amazing and completely compelling book. It is both funny and sad, and so moving, I couldn't put it down. - Alison Steadman

Devastatingly moving and hilarious in equal measure. I have laughed and cried during the reading of a single sentence. The simplicity of the prose belies the complexity of the handling of the subject matter and the lightness of touch makes the depth of feeling bearable for the reader. - Caroline Quentin

The Owl at the Window is beautiful. So moving and honest. It's such a loving portrait of a marriage and a great tribute. - Rebecca Front

The Owl At The Window is a moving and poignant memoir which engages the reader like a novel. It's sharp, funny, sad, sweet - heart-breaking and heart-warming in equal measure. A wonderful read. - Tony Hawks, author of Round Ireland With a Fridge

It's beautiful. A raw, honest and incredibly moving portrait of love, loss and hope. - Lucinda Riley, author of Hothouse Flower

This is a wonderful book. It is the most personal of journeys. An invitation into the life of good people. People whom you wish you knew. Carl gently holds the reader's hand, making us laugh and cry with him.He has the voice of a friend. The last book to linger as much in my thoughts after putting it down was David Nichols 'One Day'. He is both brave and clever. He hides nothing about death and yet manages to offer hope and clarity through his humour and honesty. - Fay Ripley

This book will kidnap your heart - David Baddiel

Carl Gorham created the cult animated show Stressed Eric for BBC2 and adapted the best-selling Meg and Mog children's books for ITV. He has also written sketches, monologues and sitcoms for both radio and television including The Gorham and Swift Show (BBC Radio 2), The Very Old Pretenders (BBC Radio 4) and, most recently, a new sitcom pilot Martin for ITV starring Alan Davies. He has won numerous awards including two British Animation Awards and an Indie, and he is a British Comedy Award and Bafta nominee. He lives in North Norfolk with his daughter.

'She is dead. She was here just now and she was alive. How can she suddenly be dead? People in history are dead. Old people are dead. Grandparents are dead. Other people are dead. Not people like me. Not this person. The person I was married to. Had a child with. Not the person who was standing next to me. Chatting. Laughing. Being.' Shock is just one of many emotions explored in award-winning TV comedy writer Carl Gorham's account of his bereavement which is by turns deeply moving and darkly humorous.Part love story, part widower's diary, part tales of single parenting, it tells of his wife's cancer, her premature death and his attempts to rebuild his life afterwards with his six -year old daughter. Realised in a series of vivid snapshots, it takes the reader on an extraordinary journey from Oxford to Australia, from Norfolk to Hong Kong through fear, despair, pain and anger to hope, laughter and renewal. The Owl at the Window is a fresh and original exploration of what it means to lose a partner in your forties, and how Carl learned to live again.

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