For such a time as this by Pauline Dewberry: Book Review

The book’s title, “For such a time as this”, is based on a Bible quote which is part remonstration and part piece of advice. The original quote was directed at Esther, who, it is suggested, holds her regal position at a moment of importance in history, and she must take full advantage while she can.

It could be taken more generally to mean that we are all living through moments of which we should make the most.

Pauline Dewberry’s creative non-fiction tome is a testament to the quote. Throughout her experiences taking on leukaemia, she finds solace in the love from her cats, and offers comfort to others undergoing treatment for cancer, in equal measure.

The book is also a fascinating primer in what it’s like to undergo courses of chemotherapy while suffering through a very harrowing illness.

Maintaining an awesome sense of humour throughout her ordeal, Pauline also explores her faith with respect to God's timing in answering the many prayers offered up for her. She is at first incredulous, for example, that she has to undergo chemotherapy at all. However, she takes the treatment, and suffers through other serious illness, before coming out the far side, at which point she finds love.

The book is a wonderfully light, highly recommended read, with an easy-going narrative – even when the going is tough for our intrepid narrator as she navigates her tribulations and other aspects of life, such as the social awkwardness brought about by a cancer diagnosis. Read it today. You can follow Pauline Dewberry on Twitter.