Latest news

I am delighted to announce the publication of a book based on this website. The book, ‘Death and How to Survive it’ is a practical guide on how to survive the loss of a partner, aimed at widowers and widows who need clear, practical advice on how to deal with grief, loneliness, anger and all the other trifling maladies that they are left to deal with on a daily basis. The book is illustrated with personal accounts from men and women who have survived the loss of a partner and I hope it will break the mould of traditional ‘self-help’ books by providing answers to some of the questions that are rarely addressed.

Death and How to Survive it’ is available at all good bookshops and also on Amazon.co uk and Tesco.com.

Thank you for your continued support and good wishes regarding this site, I couldn’t have written the book without you.

Big-Hearted Man

Latest News:

Signed hardback copies of 'Big Hearted Man' are now available at a
massively discounted price, direct from this site. The signed
hardback copies are available for only £8.99, including P&P (RRP 16.99).
If you would like a copy, then please send your address details,
along with a cheque for £8.99, payable to Kate Boydell,
to:

Kate Boydell,
Carlton TV,
Western Wood Way,
Langage Science Park,
Plympton,
Devon

My memoir 'Big-Hearted Man' is now available and can be ordered from Troubador Publishing. The retail price of the hardback is £16.99 and the softback is £10.99
http://www.troubador.co.uk
For Telephone Orders: 01858 469898
Fax: 01858 431649

Alternatively, you can order a discounted copy from WHSmith http://www.whsmith.co.uk/
Or Amazon by clicking on the link below.



However, Amazon will tell you that the book is hard to find and will take 4-6 weeks to order, which is nonsense.
You can also order the book from any bookshop, quoting the title and author or by using the following numbers:
I.S.B.N. 1-899293-34-5 for the softback
I.S.B.N. 1-899293-39-6 for the hardback.

Sometimes the lives of ordinary people can be extraordinary.
Sometimes a couple can find a love that is so pure and so true that it can outshine any fictional love story. Charlie and Kate found such a love, and the strength of that love carried them through the best and the worst of times. But they’re not famous, so why would you want to read about them?
Why? Because it will make you value every second of your own life, no matter how boring and mundane it may appear.

This is a book with universal appeal, and even if you’ve never read anything more demanding than a Haynes manual or the instructions on the back of a Pot Noodle, you should try reading it. It’s funnier than a visit to the dentist and sadder than a man wearing sock and sandals.
Read this story and you might discover how a firm handshake and a decent pair of shoes can make you irresistible to women. Read this story and you might stop rummaging in the cupboard for Mr. Kipling and go out and find Mr. Right instead.
Read this story of life and death and love and laughter.
It’s chocolate cake for the soul.

Reviews For ‘Big Hearted Man’

'…It's a book that stays with you. My partner kept asking me questions about you and wanted to meet you. Not just the author, the person. If I hadn't known you I would have had the same reaction. At the risk of bursting into song, it is a book that reaches out and touches. It touched us both deeply, and that doesn't happen enough...'

You must read this, 9 September, 2003
I am a man in much the same position as Kate - my wife died last October (2002) leaving me alone with 4 children aged 11, 9, 6, & 9 months. Kate opens her soul in a way that makes you laugh, weep, empathise and feel what really matters in life. She is exceptionally brilliant on berievement and anyone who has gone through the loss of a young (although it makes no odds how old your spouse is when he/she dies - this book should be read by any age group for it's totally honest, raw brilliancy) loved one, and the vast majority of people who will not go through the rollercoaster of a life less ordinary, should buy it immediately.

I defy you not to cry like a baby and laugh like an 18 year old.

I also highly recommend her website for anyone whose spouse has died - although aimed at young widows works for widowers as well if you transpose a few things


14 September, 2003 Reviewer: turquan from Whitstable, Kent United Kingdom

‘This is a remarkable book, a fairytale love story with a tragic ending that is still uplifting. Kate's life and love with Charlie is described with honesty, passion and tremendous wit. I would say to anyone who has lost someone dear that this book will do them more good than any amount of valium, booze or anti-depressants. And to anyone else I would say that it is better than the 'chocolate cake for the soul' as described on the cover! It will give you all the pleasure with none of the calories. This book deserves to be on every family's shelf because it is a real story about lovely people who you will care about. My family will all receive a copy for Christmas!’

‘ If you want to read the most amazing love story read this. If you want to read a story of truly amazing courage through adversity read this. If you want to read an affirmation of love read this. If you want to know about bereavement and loss and true devastation read this. If you want help and a guide to life read this.

I heard Kate on Five live shortly after my wife died in Oct 02 and she is my guru. Charlie & her tale is extraordinary in its simplicity yet deeply complex loveliness, this is a testament to a man with a limp, a good pair of shoes, a big heart and a good wife.

Reading their story, with it's openness about grief and its consequences, made me laugh, weep and cry (as anyone knows who's gone through this stuff there's a difference between weeping and crying - if you don't, buy the book)in equal parts.


This book is simply brilliant -


If you have lost and loved buy this now for an insight into how you are not alone - we all feel like this. ‘


'…I don't know where to begin but what struck me was the love and warmth on every page. It's been captured and reflected-on after the unimaginable. Whatever wonderful spells you cast on each other the reader is left just as spellbound. It's all so honest and up-front that from the first page to the last, every words acts like a mirror on the reader left to reflect on such a rich and vivid love.
After laughing and crying I came away from the book feeling so uplifted and more informed and understanding about life and death…'
Neil
(Neil Connery - Reporter for I.T.N.)

'..I'm about 3/4 of the way through it. I've laughed out loud and sniggered to myself, it's one of the few books I have ever read that has actually made me cry too. I could hear my heart beating during the last chapter. I have been raving about it so much to all my friends that they are queuing up to read it..'

‘ I just wanted to say the book is absolutely EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!
I cannot tell you how much it helped to read it.
It has really helped me to share your experiences, and feelings, and know that, however low I feel, or however mad I thought I may be, eventually I will begin to feel some sense of normality in my life.
Thank you for a brilliant, funny, and comforting read.’

'…To say your book was 'really good' was an insult, because it was, no is, quite the most moving, enriching and thought-provoking piece of prose I have ever read…'

© Kate Boydell 2004. All rights reserved