THE STORY OF US by BARBARA ELSBORG

Sad boy in blue
You cry with white loneliness
For technicolour hopes and dreams
Your future grey
Unless you find the sun

We’ve read many books by the wonderful Barbara Elsborg.  So many stories met so many brilliant characters and had so many emotions ranging from sheer joy to extreme heartbreak. The story of Us is without question our favourite story of them all, written by this magnificent and versatile Author. We cannot even begin to express how we felt whilst reading and how we feel now that we have finished what can only be described as an epic journey of family, friendship, and the harsh realities of life and of course ultimately love. We do not have enough words and the words we do have, can -in no way- do any justice to Barbara Elsborg.

Always for you
Only for you
I long for you
I breathe for you
Please breathe for me
Please long for me
I’m waiting for you

So, we’ve decided to firstly tell you all that we personally know and love about Barbara Elsborg, because in our opinion she is one of the most underrated Authors in our wondrous book world. We began reading her books back in 2012 and this Lady has written a lot of books in a lot of genres and we’re still making our way through her book list. Whatever you like to read or whatever tickles your fancy, she has undoubtedly written a book just for you. Her writing is quite simply astounding, mesmerising and heavily laden with emotion. Her quirkiness, sense of humour, her sarcasm, her realism and let’s not forget her research. Her research is unmatched. You know that when you read something she’s written, Barbara Elsborg has researched it to the nth degree. Barbara Elsborg is an Author everyone should have on their reading list.

You know that Barbara Elsborg’s entire heart and soul is threaded through her words. You know that her characters will come alive right before your eyes. You know that you will laugh, cry and feel the passionate heat. You know that she will take your heart and hold it in her hand squeezing it, stroking it, whisper words of comfort amidst the utter heartbreak, angst and drama. You know that every single character will have a stunning realism, have an important role and a truthful voice. You know that her words will challenge you, provoke you and compel you through her ability to weave real life events into her fiction.

‘Life was made up of moments. Some good, some bad, some like this one that swept everyone up in a burst of sunshine. This was a moment you wanted to swallow whole so you could absorb every second of it.’

Barbara Elsborg is one of our favourite Authors of all time, having written books and characters we will never forget. Once again, in The Story of Us, she has left us sat here staring into space trying to come to terms with an overwhelming sense of awe and the extreme emotions in our hearts; beating as it’s healing itself. We cannot compare – we cannot do The Story of Us any justice with our words. So, we will give you our thoughts, spoiler free and without any storytelling of our own.

My dreams have no place to go
This journey will end
But I don’t know
When that will be
What I will be
And when I’m free
There’s no place to hide
Unless you’re by my side
We’ll run till we fall
We can have it all

Zed and Caspian’s story begins when they’re in their early teens. A chance meeting. On the surface it seems like these two boys are night and day in life- what with family, religion and sexuality all playing poignant roles. However, years of childhood hurt dressed in different guises makes their bond instantaneous. In each other, they find a possibility of a better life- with love, respect and dreams. A life without pain. A life with each other by their side.

Strange roads
Dark days
Our path is right before us
If we dare risk it
All we need to do is fly
The world is ours
Stay close to me
Listen to me call
Only you can make me feel
Like we can have it all
Make me believe
We can have it all.

Their journey spans many years and whilst they’re not always together -due to situations outside of their control- their journeys feel like one. Their characters both present in heart, mind and soul. Both boys have a journey to make with many demons and so much suffering, but the heart never forgets and the heart wants what it wants until it’s reunited.

“Once, I wasn’t afraid of anything.”
“What are you frightened of?”
“You. Disappointing you. Getting it wrong. Wanting you too much. Messing this up. Hurting you.” Loving you.

And whilst the heart weeps for the part of it which is missing, the other part is learning what it feels like to be loved, nurtured and being truly alive. When inner strength is built, when your clipped wings are allowed to unfold and spread, when your growth isn’t hampered by others, your heart will thrive and love will complete it.

 ‘Their lives were entwined. Zed knew he was waiting for Caspian.’

Zed and Caspian have to go through so much, together as well as individually. Love is severely tested but true love stays true and have a funny way of proving again and again that it will not be defeated by life nor the cruel actions and intentions of others. Boys growing into men whilst life throws everything it possibly can at them. Experiencing Zed and Caspian’s love story as well as their journey gave us the wonderful and amazing, Jonas and Henry who both utterly captivated us and stole our hearts alongside the boys.

We experienced so much hurt and pain. We felt the incredible fear from real life events. We felt rage and indignation. We felt the passion and love. We felt the friendship and the cheeky joy. We laughed – we cried. WE FELT EVERY WORD written by the extraordinary, Barbara Elsborg. Please make sure you do too and one click without hesitation. Say yes to an epic journey that will make you feel every emotion and colour of the rainbow.

‘I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.’