The Ripples - by Danielle Aitken (Paperback)

About the Book

THE RIPPLES is a sensitive, gripping account of one families' experience of suicide and the relentless, damaging ripples created on a family in crisis, an entire community and beyond, as they each seek to make sense of the unthinkable. Highlighting common causes, solutions and the possibility of an omnipresent healing love that connects us all.

Book Synopsis

Beyond the world of the seen, exists a world of the unseen.

Mark Fredrick had no idea that his next action would create a path of devastation so far reaching that it would go on and on, like the ripples created in the mirror-perfect body of water after a single calamitous event disturbs the calm forever.

No longer a taboo subject, suicide must be spoken about in loud voices, as we as a community attempt to save lives. One death by suicide is too many and we are losing 800,000 a year!
The Ripples provides a gripping fictional account of one family's experience of suicide and the damaging, relentless ripples that radiate out in every direction, not only on a family in crisis, but on a whole community and beyond, while also exploring the possibility of an all present love that connects us all. Thought provoking and insightful, The Ripples weaves a powerful story of spirituality, love, tragic loss and the amazing resilience, that allows us to bring ourselves back from the depths of despair to carry on living. It powerfully illustrates how nobody is spared from the heartbreak and the "what if" thoughts, feelings and regrets. A captivating story that explores many causative factors and highlights what we can do, to create a change in our current culture through the transformational power of love and connection.

The Ripples is an important book to create more conversations about mental health awareness. A story to highlight resources that are available and to create conversations to help and heal. Mostly it is a story to validate those who have experienced this most devastating of human tragedies and to highlight the resilience and strength required to continue on living when all seems hopelessly lost.

It is a book that illustrates the importance of teaching our children that it is ok to not be ok all the time. It's a story to promote that it's okay to speak about our struggles. It's message is that we must lose the stigma around mental health issues in-order to save lives.

Review Quotes

"This is the gripping account of one family's experience of suicide, and the ripple effects that radiate out of this most desperate of all human tragedies. Aitken bravely delves into the world of suicide to explore its social, emotional, familial, moral, political and institutional origins and ramifications, and tightly weaves the impacts of suicide (and its after-effects) upon not only a family in crisis but an entire community and beyond....she unpacks both the nature of suicide and its causes.....with deft compassion and resolve..... and shows us how to make sense of the unthinkable through the powerful, redemptive forces of love" Susan Wakefield; Freelance Writer, Novelist and published Poet,

"Danielle Aitken has written a masterpiece here, with the utmost respect to one of life's most tragic acts....Aitken has weaved a powerful story of love, loss and a journey that makes each and everyone of us question and ask, why? If only, and what if?......I was in absolute awe with the sensitivity and beauty that Aitken has written about Mark Frederick and his thought process, and his journey looking on after his decision was made and carried out.....Move over Jodi Picoult, Danielle Aitken is on the rise." Michelle Weitering; Author of Thirteen and Underwater.

"Suicide is so often a taboo topic, yet Danielle Aitken fearlessly takes on the challenge of writing about the ripple effects of a life lost too soon. This modern-day story explores the darkest corners of a family struggling with grief and their inability to prevent slipping into a dysfunctional abyss after tragedy rips through their home. Tackling marriage separation, teenage drugs, and the dependency so many youths have on social media to provide the 'feel good' factor, the author deals with the unraveling of a community when death takes one of their own. An important book to open up more dialogue in society around mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and the importance of reaching out for support when life's complications become overwhelming." Kelly Van Nelson Poet and Amazon bestselling Author of Graffiti Lane.