Wavewalker

Wavewalker by Suzanne Heywood is an extraordinary memoir that recounts an unconventional and hazardous childhood spent voyaging across the world's oceans. At the age of seven, Suzanne embarked on an intended three-year global expedition with her parents and brother on a seventy-foot yacht, which instead unravelled into a decade-long odyssey. This memoir captures every thrilling and terrifying moment of their journey, including encounters with violent storms, dangerous shipwrecks, treacherous reefs, and periods of extreme isolation.

The narrative delves deep into Suzanne's struggle with the lack of structure and stability, alongside the constant tension and fear. With minimal formal schooling and deprived of common comforts—even basic necessities—the young Suzanne yearned for a return to England, seeking the education and stability that was missing from her life on the seas. Despite the lack of state intervention and little knowledge of their whereabouts by the outside world, she fought for her right to learn and create a more conventional future for herself.

At seventeen, driven by an unwavering determination, Suzanne earned an interview at the prestigious Oxford University and eventually returned to the UK. Her journey epitomizes the resilience and enduring spirit of a child navigating the perils of an extraordinary yet daunting adventure.

Wavewalker not only provides a gripping account of this monumental journey but also highlights the emotional and psychological battles Suzanne faced during her formative years. It is a survival story of a child deprived of normalcy, friendships, and, at times, even drinking water.

This remarkable memoir, penned by the bestselling author of What Does Jeremy Think?, transcends a mere adventure story. It is a profound testament to the impact of unconventional parenting and midlife crises on children's lives, and a powerful example of self-determination and success despite adverse circumstances.

The book has been highly praised by critics:

"Grippingly vivid and pacey" The Times

"A seven-year old girl on a seventy-foot yacht, for ten years, over fifty thousand miles of sailing" Simon Winchester

"An astonishing almost day-by-day account of [a] hazardous journey and its legacy" Telegraph

"This is a story of an epic childhood journey, so exciting and so shocking it is hard to know whether you’re reading about a dream or a nightmare… Wavewalker is thrilling, horrifying, beautifully written – I couldn’t put it down" Ed Balls

"A classic memoir of childhood. This is a book that every parent should read to consider the consequences of their midlife crises, and every child should read to learn how to deal with impossible mums and dads, as well as boils and barnacles" Mail on Sunday 5*

"An electrifying story about an extraordinary childhood, and Heywood tells it with remarkable clarity and assurance… an engrossing book that pitches the reader into the highs and lows of a young life spent in the ‘Wavewalker School of the Sea’" TLS

Wavewalker is an unforgettable memoir that provides a raw and moving insight into a unique childhood, making it a compelling read for adventurers, psychological enthusiasts, and anyone interested in human resilience.