‘What Does it Feel Like?’ – Sophie Kinsella talks to us about her new book

9 October 2024 | News, Blog, Supporters

In April this year, bestselling writer Sophie Kinsella, revealed that she has been undergoing treatment for brain cancer, having been diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour in November 2022.

Tomorrow sees the release of her latest book ‘What Does it Feel Like?’ of which she says, “It is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story.”

Our team had the privilege of receiving a proof copy and our CEO, Emma McKeown, was delighted to share her thoughts on reading this deeply personal book:

I have always loved Sophie’s books and reading them has run alongside my younger years, growing into adulthood and now as a full blown adult – with each one resonating with a chapter of my own life in some way. None more so than having the privilege of reading a proof copy of Sophie’s new honest, raw and heartfelt novella ‘What does it feel like?’ It felt so fitting to be reading this now as I have recently taken over the role of CEO at Brain Tumour Support.

With my own family’s experience of a glioblastoma being so life altering, I started the book with some trepidation at the parallels that may be drawn, and whilst of course there were many, there were also many moments with the wonderful characters that stopped me in my tracks. Evoking emotions from joy, shock, realisation, acceptance, hope, despair, disbelief, happy tears and sad tears – The novella truly captures the complete uniqueness of each and every person’s journey with a brain tumour.

This book offers an incredible insight into one person’s story of their journey with a glioblastoma, and also gives a truthful, honest and warm snapshot to offer support and moments of joy to those who may be in a similar situation. Sophie’s openness in creating the character of Eve and sharing her personal story in this way is to be commended.

Sophie and her husband Henry also generously shared their thoughts with us around questions which were sparked by ‘What Does it Feel Like?’

We see within our community how sharing your experience can be very cathartic. Was this true for you in writing about Eve?

Yes, I found writing about my diagnosis a very helpful experience, but it wasn’t straightforward. It took a long time before I was ready to share my situation publicly, because I wanted to be sure that my family, my five children, had fully adapted to our ‘new normal’ first. When I came to writing about my glioblastoma, I didn’t want to write a memoir, because that isn’t me – I feel happier with fiction. So I turned my experience into a fictionalised version, where all the essential facts are my life, but the details have changed to allow me leeway to craft a story.

‘What Does it Feel Like?’ rides that rollercoaster of emotions that anyone facing a brain tumour diagnosis will recognise. It is a lot about grief but also full of moments of humour and joy. Has your diagnosis brought those things into sharper focus in your own life?

I find humour in everything – I guess it’s my way of coping. When I was going into surgery I said to my surgeon, the wonderful Prof Andrew McEvoy, ‘This is quite a fancy spa you have here!’, and he laughed. I probably laugh and appreciate life’s ironies more, and I am also more on the edge. Emotions are always very close to the surface.

Talking to loved ones, especially children, can be very hard. You shielded your youngest children for a long time from knowing details of your diagnosis, how did you decide to talk to them about it and how did they cope?

We have five children, aged (now) 28 to 12. When I was first diagnosed in November 2022, my husband Henry brought our three oldest children into the loop, but we didn’t fully tell the younger two until it was the school holidays and we had the whole family together, so we knew we could all process the situation together as a family. Henry and I also met a counsellor to help us with how to talk to the children about my glioblastoma. They were incredible – it happened in a very similar way to how I describe it in the book.

We were particularly struck by the narratives around Eve recognising herself as someone needing care, how did you and Henry navigate this together?

I think this was instinctive between us. It helped that Henry has worked with me for the past few years in helping manage my writing career and has always been hands on with the children. In the very early days of my illness I was very much unable to look after myself so we weren’t left much choice!

The conversations around bucket lists and living ‘normal plus’ struck a real chord with us. Can you share some of your ‘normal plus’ decisions you’ve made since your own diagnosis?

We take time to appreciate what we’re doing and what has happened each day – which is helpful for me anyway because my short term memory means I need reminding anyway! Each night in bed we go over the day and list the good things of the day – ‘that was a good walk with that lovely view’, ‘what a great supper that was’ etc.

Do you have any advice for anyone facing a similar diagnosis?

It will take time, because the shock of diagnosis is so enormous, but take a step back and look at what is great in your life right here right now, not what might be / might have been in the future. If right now the sun is shining, walk out into the sun.

And a specific question for you Henry – What has been your biggest challenge in supporting Sophie since her diagnosis?

The uncertainty is the worst part. The hope, the constant hope and constant fear. The only cure for that is to live in the now (so easy to say and so hard to do, of course). We laugh a lot, and that is medicine for the soul.

‘What Does it Feel Like?’ goes on general sale in the UK on Thursday October 10th.  A link to purchase a copy can be found on our books page.

We are extremely grateful to Sophie and Henry for talking so openly about their experience which does such a lot to both raise awareness of the impact of brain tumours and help others facing similar journeys.