Half a World Away- Mike Gayle- contemporary fiction 

Dear Mike,

I hope you don't mind me calling you that as having read two of your novels I feel

as if I  know you a little,  ok maybe know a little of what makes your world go around

as it shines through in both books. I blubbed my way through the last 25% and through

the tears saw the message of hope that like the words in a stick of rock goes solidly

through your books. That the world has its ups and downs ( and boy are there some

bumps along the way) but through it all, it's how people are that counts. Not their

standing in life, or what they have achieved or are dressed in, but what is in their

hearts and how they treat others that truly makes the world go around.  Not all of us

have had loving parents or love,support or encrouagement- only perhaps finding this 

later in life and wow, what a difference it makes to the world.

You can't change the world but the world can change for someone with a kind word or

gesture.  Thank you. My heart is singing through the tears and every time I see

something glittery, I  know that there is love and hope out there. A truly stunning

read and one I will remember for a very long time.