Julietta Appleton’s Sola is a beautifully written, amazing story of a young woman who fought through profound challenges, including early loss, emotional abandonment, and constant change. She paints a vivid picture of her growing up on the move through many countries and shares experience after experience of what could have been seminal moments in multiple people's lives - and yet here it all is in one incredible one. Appleton determinedly fought again and again to rise above challenges that would have stopped others short. And, at the same time, she sustained the passion and willpower to learn from a broad range of experiences, and built unique talents and a giving, caring life from it.
Susan Raab
There is a life sprawling across these pages, that is dizzying with upheavals, as she is bounced around the world, unable to find the home she craves, while discovering, tasting, seeing (and beautifully describing) some of Europe and America’s most storybook settings. In the hands of a travel writer, this would be rich enough, but in the memory of a girl who is only trying to find her balance, the details are at times heartbreaking to imagine, and at others, completely inspirational. This voice would be authentic under anyone’s circumstances or life story, whether they’ve lost a parent or faced the same brutalities that she shares with all women. So, while telling one woman’s too-unbelievable-to-be-true story, she’s also brave enough to lift the veil on stories that all women would be relieved to hear told.
Patrick Kendall
This wonderful memoir took me on quite a journey, with its focus not just on personal but also on the events of the times and how they affected whole lives. Also, being childless myself, I had no idea of the politics of childbirth, and the hurdles women have faced to have a comfortable and safe experience. Get this book––it really is a fantastic read (and did I mention it's quite funny!)
Reny
Appleton recounts sorrow and loss, vividly contrasting the mistreatment and abandonment she experienced with the veneer of her glamorous young life. Resilience, bravery and humor bring this memoir alive. Sola will make you pause, gasp, laugh and weep. After you finish this courageous story, you'll contemplate just how remarkable and fortunate it is that Appleton shared her exceptional journey to hearten and inspire us.
Treacy Colbert, coauthor of End Your Menopause Misery and Before It's Too Late
Heartbreaking and hilarious, brave, beautiful and honest, Sola is the tale of the remarkable life of Julietta Appleton. Her recall of minute detail and her skillful writing resulted in a story I could not stop reading. Her characters are so keenly depicted that I often felt I was right there watching the drama rather than being told about it. When I did finish I sat quietly inspired by the way Julietta created such a meaningful life from the shards of neglect, abuse, miseducation, and misunderstanding….a life that celebrates new life, motherhood, and, of course, love.
Marlene G.
After a harrowing childhood of loss, abuse, and abandonment, Julietta rises like a phoenix out of her past to utilize her strength and skills to make important contributions to community and women's health. Bask in her vivid prose as she takes us to Austria, Italy, Ibiza, and the Canaries.
Kim Ellis