{"title":"Edith Blais","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the extraordinary journeys of Edith Blais, an author whose vivid storytelling captures the essence of adventure and resilience. Known for her captivating travel and adventure writing, Blais offers readers an immersive experience through her narratives. Her work is particularly celebrated for its raw honesty and courageous perspectives, as showcased in her book \u003cem\u003eThe Weight of Sand\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Weight of Sand\u003c\/em\u003e is a poignant memoir that chronicles Blais's harrowing experience of being held captive in West Africa. Her account not only highlights the challenges she faced but also reflects her indomitable spirit and the profound lessons learned during her ordeal. It's a gripping read that provides insight into human resilience and the power of hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're an avid traveller or someone fascinated by real-life stories of endurance, Edith Blais's collection offers a unique window into the complexities of adventure under unimaginable circumstances. Dive into her stories and discover a world where courage and the quest for freedom prevail.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-weight-of-sand-by-edith-blais-9781771649094","title":"The Weight of Sand","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA radiant, unforgettable memoir of one woman's 450 days spent in captivity, and her defiant refusal to have her humanity stripped away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Edith meets Luca in a small Northern town, the two connect instantly. Under the Northern Lights, they develop a deep friendship over their shared passions: travel, living off the land, a bohemian life. In search of wanderlust, they embark on an epic road trip from Italy to Togo, where they will join their friend's sustainable farming project. Upon arriving on the African continent, they change their itinerary and drive through Africa's Sahel region, a haven for militant groups, where they are surrounded and captured. Little was known about Edith's and Luca's fate until they reappeared in Mali more than one year later, having mysteriously escaped their captors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow, Edith shares her harrowing story with the world for the first time—complete with the poems that became a lifeline for her in captivity, which she wrote in secret with a pen borrowed from another hostage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAgainst the stunning but cruel backdrop of the desert, Edith recounts her months as a hostage: the oppressive heat, violent sandstorms, constant relocations, hunger strikes, and her eventual heart-pounding escape. Separated from Luca early on, she finds solidarity and comfort with a group of other female hostages, who lend her a pen to write poetry, a creative outlet that helps save her life. Edith is steadfast in her will to remain sane: she reveals her dedication to her art and her striking ability to unsettle her captors and identify their vulnerabilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA compelling descent into a strange, brutal universe, \u003cem\u003eThe Weight of Sand\u003c\/em\u003e is ultimately a life-affirming book and a poetic celebration of one woman's resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072387858668,"sku":"9781771649094","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5e1aedcba67339be250ba5f6faf63571.jpg?v=1765103643"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/edith-blais.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}