The Other Half Of Augusta Hope by Joanna Glen

Read June 2019. Published 13th June 2019.

Augusta Hope has always felt like she has never fitted in. Her parents are baffled by her restless ways and cannot understand why she is not more like her perfect twin, Julia.

Augusta and Julia are as different as chalk and cheese - Augusta is endlessly curious about words, facts and the world around her, while Julia is happy to be unremarkable and content with her life.

At eight years old, Augusta spins the globe and decides that Burundi is her favourite sounding country of all. She is fascinated with it and spends hours finding out everything she can about the country - her obsession will last a lifetime.

Over the years, Augusta also develops a passion for Spain and Spanish literature and poetry - sparked by the arrival of a Spanish family into the midst of their tight little community in Willow Close. Holidays in her beloved Spain convince her that one day she would love to live there herself - travelling about in a gypsy caravan.

Half-way across the World, Parfait's family in Burundi is being torn apart by tragedy and war. He would like nothing better than to escape to the safety of Europe, where he thinks they will be able to live in peace. Eventually, Parfait leaves his homeland with his brother, to walk north across Africa - their aim is to follow their dreams all the way to Spain, but this dream will come at a price.

As time goes by, the course of Augusta and Parfait's lives will bring them closer and closer to each other, but will they actually meet? Can they move beyond the tragedies that have haunted their lives and become whole at last?

What beautiful and moving book this is.
The story is told in chapters which alternate between August and Parfait, as their lives edge closer together across the years and thousands of miles - at times, being so close, but not connecting.
You will find yourself yearning for them to meet, as you feel they are destined to be together, but fate must play out first.

I absolutely loved this book. There is lots of humour to make you laugh, and plenty of horror and tragedy to make you cry too.
You will be completely swept along by Augusta and Parfait and will them a happy ending with every fibre of your being - make sure to bring a handkerchief with you on the journey, because you are going to need it!