Linsey Painter’s latest book Back Home? is a story of transition, grief, loss, and learning how to open your heart to new people and experiences. It’s the second book Linsey has published with Baptist Mission Australia.
Here she chats with Teagan from our National Team about the book and the story behind it.
Teagan: Hi Linsey, congratulations on this book! Tell us about Back Home?.
Linsey: Thanks so much! Back Home? Is the story of eleven-year-old James who has grown up in a large city in Kenya. His parents are medical doctors and he lives on a compound with other missionary families. James’s whole life is in Kenya, his ‘closer than family’ friends, his pets, his house, his school. Everything that makes James feel that he belongs is in Kenya.
One day, his parents announce that it is time for the family to move back to Australia. James is devastated.
This is the story of how James says good bye to all he has known and steps into a completely new chapter. It’s a story about transition, grief, loss, and learning how to open your heart to new people and experiences.
I’m so excited that Zac Reeve came on board to create the illustrations for this book. Zac grew up overseas as well. He understood James’s feelings and situation and was able to capture the emotions of the book perfectly.
T: What motivated you to write this book?
L: I grew up overseas. My parents were missionaries in Southeast Asia. From the time I was 18 months old until I was sixteen, I lived away from Australia. When my parents decided it was time to return to Melbourne, I was devastated, like James.
I wanted to write a story for all of those who have had similar experiences, to show that they are not alone and that even in the deep heartache and grief that comes from moving we can experience new friendship and growth.
As an adult, my family and I have lived overseas several times. I understand what it is like to experience transition from a parent’s perspective. My own children have experienced what it’s like to move overseas and return to Australia.
For those who have already gone through transition, I hope that this book can help you to heal a little more. For those who are going through transition, that it will give hope and understanding, and for those who have yet to experience transition, I hope that this book will give understanding and clarity.
T: How did this book impact you?
L: This book was very cathartic for me to write. I dug deep into my memories for a lot of what James experiences in his journey. I took incidences and relationships from both my own childhood and from the times my kids lived overseas. It was healing to look back and see my experiences through the lens of hindsight. When we’re in the midst of a very difficult situation it’s hard to look outside of our own emotions and worldview. Some parts of the book are inspired by stories from friends who have gone through similar experiences.
Back Home? is on sale for $16 per copy, plus postage.
