Back Story: Hunger by Digby Beaumont
My partner of 18 years died last December. I was Shirley’s caregiver for the last 2 years of her life and “Hunger” grew from the experience (as I did). It was also the last of my stories I read to her. Shirley’s mother predeceased her father and he struggled in his final two years. Shirley encouraged him to try a holiday and he reluctantly agreed. Her description of him boarding the holiday coach and sitting alone still haunts me. It also led to my writing a story called “Nightcap”, about a bereaved man going on holiday to Capri, which was published by Rose & Thorn in the Spring Issue, 2009. So, you see, when I completed “Hunger”, there really was only one home I wanted it to have.
Digby Beaumont's work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net Anthology. His stories appear in journals such as Opium Magazine, 34th Parallel, Slow Trains, Rose & Thorn Journal, Pindeldyboz, Monkeybicycle, Defenestration and Toasted Cheese, as well as in the anthologies Small Voices, Big Confessions; Late-Night River Lights and City Smells. He has worked as a nonfiction author for many years, with numerous publications, and lives near Brighton, England. Read “Hunger” in the summer 2011 issue of Rose & Thorn Journal.
and a beautiful story it is . . .
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The Story "Hunger" touched me deeply and it is even more meaningful because of the way it emerged from Digby beaumont's experience of looking after his partner Shirley during the last few months of her life.
I look forward to reading much more from this sensitive author.
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We've been honored twice, and you've memorialized lovely Shirley. Thank you.
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Thanks, kat, Susie and angie.
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