LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
June 2017 Non-Fiction Book of the Month.
A truly touching, considered, and frank life story. In 1992 Rachel Nickell was sexually assaulted and stabbed 49 times in front of her nearly three year old son Alex while on Wimbledon Common. Alex now tells his story. I will confess to feeling trepidation before starting this tale, I didn't want to intrude, yet Alex invites you follow him through his life. While the focus is of course, on how that day has shaped him, the actions of the murderer are not graphically recounted. Alex is now a grown man, memories of that time and his childhood flicker, some strong, some relived with help. The actions of the press, and the police are examined, yet this isn’t a blame game, even though catastrophic and fatal errors were made. I raged, I felt pain, yet I also felt admiration, and wonderment as difficult choices were made while Alex and his father were in a world of pain and confusion. ‘Letting Go’ is at times a heartbreaking read, of course it is, yet it also compellingly celebrates life, love and family. ~ Liz Robinson
Liz Robinson
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Letting Go A True Story of Murder, Loss and Survival by Rachel Nickell's Son Synopsis
The stunning and heartbreaking story of the young son of Rachel Nickell - who witnessed the brutal attack on his mother and whose childhood was shaped by the media storm that followed. A coming-of-age story that begins with a tragedy but ends in optimism, forgiveness and peace.
On a beautiful July morning in 1992, just three weeks before his third birthday, Alex Hanscombe and his young mother, Rachel Nickell, went walking on Wimbledon Common. Life was never the same again. Shortly after ten o'clock that morning, Alex was discovered by the side of his mother's body - she had been assaulted, stabbed forty-nine times in a frenzied attack, and left dead. Alex was the only witness to the attack.
Letting Go is Alex's heartbreaking account of that morning, the aftermath, and the devastating effect on his father, the extended family and the wider community. Alex tells the story of the resulting media storm, the legal cases following and the peace and understanding that he has now found, as a young man. In telling his story, and the truth, this is the last stage of Alex's incredible journey to letting go.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9780008144296 |
| Publication date: |
18th May 2017 |
| Author: |
Alex Hanscombe |
| Publisher: |
Harper Element an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
272 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Biographies & Autobiographies
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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Author
About Alex Hanscombe
Alex Hanscombe is a survivor. On a beautiful July morning in 1992, just three weeks before his third birthday, Alex and his young mother, Rachel Nickell, went walking on Wimbledon Common. Life was never the same again. Shortly after ten o’clock that morning, Alex was discovered by the side of his mother’s body – she had been assaulted, stabbed forty-nine times in a frenzied attack, and left dead. Alex was the only witness to the attack.
The investigation rapidly grew into one of the largest and most controversial in police history, and the resulting media storm would force his father and him to flee the country when his life was put in danger. For the remainder of his childhood Alex was too grow up under the shadow of a killer on the loose. A catastrophic catalogue of police errors meant the case would remain unsolved for almost two decades and the lives of over 80 women affected.
In 'Letting Go: A true story of murder, loss and survival’ Alex shared the stunning and heartbreaking journey of a young child, trying to make sense of a world that cast him as a victim even before his life had truly begun – and the inspirational story of how he refused to accept that role. A journey that began with a tragedy but ends in understanding, forgiveness and peace.
Alex is a certified hypnotherapist and musician, currently studying graphology. In recent years he has spent his time travelling extensively and studying yoga in India with his teacher R.Sharath. He resides in Barcelona, where he is working with his father on a book codifying the beliefs which helped them survive and a collection of children stories entitled, ‘The Adventures of Little Louis’ invented to amuse and stimulate Alex in his recovery when they first fled to Europe over twenty years ago.
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