Paul Marriner’s The Michaelmas Daisy

Round & About

North Ascot author Paul Marriner’s latest book The Michaelmas Daisy is written in honour of those in need of care, and those who care for them

The Michaelmas Daisy is a contemporary story of loneliness, loyalty, love, finding new friends, and hope and for author Paul Marriner it is also deeply personal. 

He says: “It was inspired by our family’s experience of looking after my father (vascular dementia). As his health declined we shared the 24/7 caring around the family. But there came a time when we recognised a professional and more experienced carer was needed, and we were fortunate that Florence came into our lives. Florence brought energy, compassion and love to our family, and cared for my father as if her own. She laughed a lot, was truly joyful, and her presence gave my father and our family a new (albeit sadly short) lease of life.” 

The Michaelmas Daisy tells of Philippa who is looking after her ailing father and is narrated, unusually, by Philippa’s deceased mother, Beverley. This method, Paul says gave him an opportunity to tell the story as an onlooker but also as someone with intimate knowledge of the protagonists – Philippa and her father Kenny. 

Beverley watches over her husband and daughter, sharing their pain, laughter, fears and dreams. As she watches, memories of her own life and love for her husband bring comfort and tears in equal measure. 

Into their home comes Kaska who provides respite care, brings kindness and energy, and helps Philippa realise it’s ok to still want some life of her own. As her father’s condition worsens, Philippa’s dedication is tested to the full and difficult choices are necessary. 

Paul adds: “I’d like to emphasise that the book is not an attempt to write of typical, usual, common or expected circumstances of any of the many forms of dementia – if those things even exist. Nor is it intended to act as some kind of guide for carers, either practically or emotionally. But I hope it can provide some comfort to those carers working so hard, often with insufficient help and limited finances. It is written in their honour, and as a reminder that they are valued, not alone, and allowed to find room for laughter and hope in their lives, hard as that can often be.” 

Paul is married with two children, is passionate about music, sport and, most of all, writing, on which he now concentrates full-time. He has written six novels and a collection of short stories. His primary literary ambition is that you enjoy reading them while he is hard at work on the next – but still finding time to play drums. 

l The Michaelmas Daisy is available as an ebook (£2.99) from major ebook online retailers: Amazon, Apple Books, Rakuten Kobo, Barnes & Noble, tolino, vivlio, Smashwords, Gardners, and fable. The print version (£5.99) is on Amazon or to order from any high street retailer.