by Susan Hill
First published 1991
Suzy stares at the empty shoes sitting by the door. They belonged to someone who mattered, someone who no longer fills them. The leather holds creases and scuff marks that tell stories she cannot bear to forget. As Suzy moves through her daily routines, the shoes become a focal point for her grief and remembrance. She must decide whether to keep them as they are, give them away, or find some other way to honor what they represent. The simple objects force her to confront difficult questions about letting go and moving forward. Hill creates an intimate portrait of how we attach meaning to the possessions left behind by those we love. The story explores the weight of memory and the small rituals that help us process loss.
Genres: fiction, grief, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, emotional-journey, slice-of-life
32 pages · Paperback · Puffin UK