Dear Laura

When writer Laura Hird first left home to study in London, her mother kept in touch with a stream of letters, both deeply moving and extremely funny. June Hird - thwarted actress, insatiable reader and self-confessed 'constipated romantic' - is her daughter's staunchest supporter and harshest critic. She clearly struggled with 'empty nest' feelings of loss, grief, freedom and pride. Her letters are full of advice, scolding and encouragement, gossip about friends and family as well as comments on culture and current affairs, hopes for her daughter and regrets about her own life. In the stunned space following the death of both of her parents, Laura Hird began to re-read her mother's letters. Hearing her mother's voice ringing from the pages, she begins to examine the relationship between parents and child and confront her own feelings of guilt and grief. As Laura says, "This book is dedicated to anybody who has ever had to let go of the thing they love the most."