This is truly a story for the times we currently living in, not just what we doing at the moment being physically isolated from our communities, friends and families, but also relevant for the way we live in recent times has resulted in people becoming physically disconnected from each other – the rise of social media, neighbourhood meeting places, more people living alone, relationship and work stresses and imbalances. The words The Authenticity Project have been hand written in beautiful script across the front cover of a green notebook by an aging artist, former society man about town, probably eccentric, living alone, grieving for his former life. He seems to feel the need to open about his life, writes some thoughts, then leaves the book on a table in a nearby café owned and run by Monica. Monica is a former lawyer, single, 35 years old, looking for meaning in her life. She finds the notebook and so begins its journey through the hands and writing of four other people – male, female, young, not so young, looking for meaningful relationships and friendships, finding ways to make their lives matter. There is of course considerable serendipity in this type of story, but the characters are all so relateable, so charming and so awful, the plot lines a tad ridiculous and unlikely. So don’t read this if you looking for the serious thoughts of a self-help book! But for a gentle fun read, with a deep message of how important actually being with people is then read this. We have spent much of the last 4 weeks on our own in isolation for the better good, for what matters, and I know how much better I feel going for a walk and stopping for a chat with neighbours or others that I may meet on my circuit. Humans are social beasts, we are not supposed to be on our own, and this book will make you see this. A real gem.
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