Blue Sky July

Nia Wyn

"It's the strangest time – a birth – for life to start falling apart".

Set between the summers of 1998 and 2005 in Cardiff, Blue Sky July follows the story of a mother whose child suffers a devastating brain injury.

It traces her journey into a world hidden away in society's pockets as she battles against impossible odds to heal him.

Through her intimate day by day musings, the book explores the impact of the tragedy on her home life, love life, friendships and connection to the world, as the most extraordinary relationship unfolds between them.

This book will challenge your heart and change your views.

You can download the first 3 chapters of the book below - don't forget to tell us what you think: the best reviews will be read out on air. 

Stephen Green

There is a character in Nia Wyn’s book whose ‘great love for small things’ provides huge affection and inspiration to her at a time of need. Blue Sky July is a small thing indeed. It’s only 174 pages in length but I dare you not to fall for its simple poetic beauty from the very start.

Wyn’s story is a testimony to the strength of the human spirit, the belief that nothing is impossible and that on ordinary days the most extraordinary things can happen. We are fortunate to share these accounts through a fragmented narrative style which is a metaphor for Wyn’s life during her son’s first seven years.

It is an unusual style but one clearly suited to describe a mother’s life turned upside down by a devastating brain injury to Joe. Wyn’s descriptions drift into the poetic at times and her use of nature to provide a mirror image to events in her life is evocative. Indeed, the title itself is testimony to this, her ‘Blue Sky’ is indicative of the blessings of nature and the importance of hope in all of our lives.

We are told from the promotional blurb on the back that the book will challenge your heart and change your views. For some this may well be the case; but for me it strengthens our view on life and provides something of an affirmation for what we should all hold dear: all our children are special – never underestimate them or yourself and remember to love the small things that happen in life.

We meet many fascinating people along the way, from Sam who works in the corner shop to an old man from Preswyfla Street; all are important in the journey taken by Nia and Joe but it’s their story which is central throughout and will provide moments of despair, heartache, tears and joy.

The story emphasises that in life you should not look for ‘milestones’, but you can’t help feeling that whilst this book may just be another step for Nia and Joe, for many readers it will be hugely significant.

Preethi Manuel
‘Blue Sky July’ by Nia Wyn, Seren, 2007Every now and then there comes a book that leads us quietly to an understanding we know we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. ‘Blue Sky July’ by Nia Wyn is just one of those books. It charts a mother’s journey in Wales from the euphoria of giving birth to a ‘perfect baby boy’ - “If we could only ever keep one feeling from the whole of our lives, I’d choose this one” she says. But, not long after, the family’s world starts unravelling as baby Joe is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and they are pitted into another world, a world that seems to exist in the dark recesses of society. From the rawness of her first emotions - “ . . . and I feel like my arms have been amputated”, the author deftly moves us on, exploring the powerful emotional connections in their lives and magically weaving a web with the reader, making this book difficult for any reader to put down. Every facet of Joe’s and her life are explored in assured lyrical and poetic narrative style - the extreme exhaustion, the physical disorder, the despair, the comaraderie with other parents and the professional chauvinism of some of the experts who have influence over their lives. Metaphors and quirky details aboud in this book and some, like the saxophone player, are carried through to the end. Connecting it all is the omnipresent weather - the sun, the clouds, the wind and the blue sky, every shift in the weather signalling a change in their delicately balanced lives. For parents like myself who have made similar journeys with our disabled child, the book resonates with authenticity. However, at times I did wish that the family received good quality co-ordinated support from health, social and educational professionals. This would have spared them the desperate search in the fog for healing and from so many different ‘therapeutic’ approaches. Like many parents, this mother too struggles for a right for Joe to be included into a mainstream school, her fears and anxieties palpable. But it is eventually the blossoming of her love for Joe, and Joe blossoming as an individual, that rises above all the mayhem and the madness and makes this book a must read for all parents and professionals. So moved was I by this book that I purchased it for my close friend who had brought up her disabled son. "Aaah . . ." she said when I mentioned the forthcoming present, "I've got the same for you!". And so we exchanged our presents, fully embracing our shared experience. However, the book’s redemptive message, its lyrical and assured storytelling makes its appeal wider - in classrooms, families, conferences and religious places - wherever we choose to open ourselves to the breath and depth of human experience.

Bryony Bushell, Sevenoaks
Stunning. This book was incredibly moving, at times terribly sad, but ultimately uplifting and I plan to re-read it immediately! Absolutely wonderful, I feel humbled to have been let in on such personal and intimate experiences and hope I will never take my bunch of difficult but delightful children for granted again.

Abhishek Jairath, Manchester
I am really impressed with the book- sometimes , you pick a book up - and dont finish reading. This book is so enlightining. I read every single page and felt the emotions, the joy, the happiness.Nia really has shown the power of love. For this year and for billion years to come, Love is the only answer. I am so happy for both Joe, Nia and family. It just goes to show how Nia really pushed through the tough times, encouraged, and motivated. The book is really a mark of excellence.

Louise, Oxted
Incredible tale of the love fortunate mothers have for their children. I know the sacrifice is worth it, even though I have not experienced it on the same scale as Nia.

Paul Goule, County Durham
This is a deeply moving personal account of one mother's love for her severely disabled son, Joe and his love in return. Anyone who has children, especially healthy children, will be very humbled by the writers endless giving and commitment to her son. Beautifully written and very profound. Every parent should read this book.

Alan & Margaret Twyford
The best book we have heard in along time. Essential reading for all over the age of 14, truly. As two disabled adults we could identify with the child and his mother.

Stephen Pollock-Hill, Old Knebworth
Blue Sky July, with the superb reading by Celia Hadden, made tears of emotion run down my face. That one mother, despite all the odds- arrogant know it all consultants, horrified fellow parents, and consoling neighbours- could battle through and succeed. Love CAN over come, and Nia Wyn's touching story is the proof! This book deserves to win a major literary prize and reminds me of Paul Gallico's "Jennie".Well done to Radio 4 and 5 for featuring it so strongly!

Garry, Somerset
I heard this book on Radio 4's 'Book of the Week'. I thought it was incredible. I had tears streaming down my face almost constantly as I listened to it. It makes you feel incredibly humble. I have enormous admiration for the author, for her single mindedness in dealing with Jo's disability and her ability to communicate such a poerful story through the written (or spoken) word. Anybody with children MUST read this book. And stand in awe.

Tagyal, London
The first I heard the story read in BBC Radio 4, I was so depressed that I just switched off the radio. I couldn't sleep that night. I couldn't help thinking God give me the power to heal this boy, bring happiness to this family. I dreamt that night that I healed that boy. But reality is that the super-natural power that I was dreaming for him was in fact being bestowed upon him by his very own Mother. The following night, I couldn't wait for the story. I listened with all my heart. It was so liberating to hear that Joe was making such a progress. God bless him. I slept well. The mother is the symbol of true human spirit.

john mullin, fordingbridge
I have a son who was born 10 weeks early and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. If my wife and I had listened to the so-called experts he wouldn't be who he is today 17 years later! His spirit and joy for life remind me of Zorba the Greek - another whose love for living was everything. I can't begin to tell you how much he means to me - and that's the message that underlies this super book. You don't need to have a disabled child to understand one of life's great truths: parent "KNOW" their children, experts can only know what they've been taught. The difference? The heart!

Kate Richardson, South Queensferry
I sat down to read the first chapters after putting my two boys to bed and couldn't move until there were no more words to share. Nia takes the reader every step of the way with her with her flowing prose and heartbreaking insights. I continued to read through my tears and I will certainly buy the book in order to travel further on Nia and Joe's journey.

Kay Lowe - Crouch End, N8
How well the opening music 'Oh my beloved darling' sets the scene for this marvellous reading of Blue Sky July. I shall buy the book but fear I will miss the beauty of the sounds. Can I purchase a copy of the readings? Thank you for a moving experience and thank you to the author for taking us into her world.

Jenny Clarke
This book moved me to tears - it is so beautifully written - As a midwife I recall saying similar words to a client about her son (with Downs Syndrome) that he was sent to her as a gift because she was special and would be the perfect person for him. She still comes to see me at work, has held onto my words and we have become friends. As humans we must try not to judge but to give love and hope to each other, after all there is no cost- this book proves it.I can only try to imagine how hard it was to write this book but it is straight from the heart. It is honest, true and I will truly treasure it forever.With love to Nia and Joe, Jennyxx

Matthew Hudson, Epsom
This is an uplifting book written with keen sensitivity.The expressiveness is astonishing - one really feels the pain and the love and the hope. The reader feels as close to the mother and the child as they are to each other.I did not like the way that some of the text is set as free form verse - it seems a little overworked and when the prose is this good it really isn't needed.However I will buy the book - the first three chapters were emotionally engaging and I really want to join the mother and her son for the rest of their journey.