Publisher's Synopsis
'There is one journey you truly take by yourself. There is no one else beyond the skin of your hands, the toes of your feet, the sweat on your brow.' This is the remarkable account of the last days of one woman's life. As author Basia Bonkowski gathers with her brothers to watch over their mother as she lies in hospital, she gradually unravels the threads that have formed the rich tapestry of her mother's life — and her own. As a girl her mother fled the Russians as they advanced through Poland during World War II. As a young wife she came to Australia with her husband and infant son to forge a new life. Hers is a story of heartache and loss, of secrets and dreams. Her legacy is one of survival, of embracing the migrant experience. Now, as she reaches the end of her journey, the family is forced to face the hardest question of all: when the time comes, will they be able to let her go? Basia's lyrical prose and sharp eye for detail create an unforgettable account of her family over three generations. SHIMMER is a moving tribute to the healing strength of the human spirit and the ties that bind.
