Love Your Sister is a book by Samuel Johnson and his sister Connie Johnson about their journey and advocacy for cancer research. Samuel and Connie embarked on a mission to raise awareness and funds for cancer research after Connie was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The book chronicles their experiences, challenges, and triumphs as they traveled around Australia, spreading their message of love, hope, and support for cancer patients and their families. Love Your Sister is a testament to the power of family, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity. It serves as an inspiration to others to make a difference and support cancer research efforts.
The Loudness of Unsaid Things by Hilde Hinton is a poignant exploration of family secrets, grief, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of rural Australia, the novel follows the story of Susie, a young woman grappling with the aftermath of her mother's suicide. As Susie navigates the challenges of adolescence and early adulthood, she uncovers long-buried truths about her family's past. The novel delves into themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring power of love and forgiveness. Through Susie's journey, Hinton offers a powerful meditation on the ways in which silence can shape our lives and the importance of finding our voice.
The Opposite of Loneliness is a posthumously published collection of Marina Keegan's essays and stories. It reflects on themes of youth, possibility, and the universal struggle to find one's place in the world. The book became a New York Times bestseller and resonated with millions of readers worldwide.
When Hilde Hinton was on the cusp of adolescence, her mother died. For years she protected her younger siblings from the truth about their mum.
Despite the great grief of her mother's shocking death when Hilde was just 12 years old, there was also a sense of relief for Hilde.
She shielded her younger siblings, Samuel and Connie Johnson, from the truth of how and why their mother died.
But when Connie also died, decades later of cancer, Hilde was propelled into writing her first novel, in between shifts as a prison officer.
Her debut book, The Loudness of Unsaid things, was intensely autobiographical.
While Connie never got to read the book, Hilde's brother Samuel finally 'met' their mother through Hilde's writing, and learned all that his big sister had done for them growing up.
Now, from her home in Melbourne, where people who need solace freely come and go, Hilde explores in her writing the ordinary things that make life extraordinary.
This episode was produced by Meggie Morris. Conversations Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. Presented by Richard Fidler.
This episode of Conversations explores mental health, suicide, grieving, grief, death, mothers, single fathers, bipolar, mothers with mental health issues, mental health hospitals, institutionalisation, prisons, writing, books, novels, siblings, Love Your Sister, nuns, Australian Story, childhood cancer.
Further information
The Opposite of Lonely is published by Hachette.
You can watch the episode of Australian Story, which features Hilde's brother, Samuel Johnson, online at ABC iview.
Conversations 
