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The Lullaby Illusion: A Journey of Awakening
The Lullaby Illusion details the harrowing personal journey of a young American woman facing seemingly insurmountable situations while living in the Middle East and Europe.
After miscarriages and the loss of a child in childbirth on the island of Cyprus, Susan seeks solace by creating art, and recording her vivid dreams. Through difficult life changes -- Cyprus's bloody coup and war in 1974, a rescue from a sinking ship in the Indian Ocean, learning of her husband s secret life, and surviving his deadly assault in Belgium -- she discovers her ticking clock is not the child she has failed to produce, but rather the creative potential with which she can create a new life.
After miscarriages and the loss of a child in childbirth on the island of Cyprus, Susan seeks solace by creating art, and recording her vivid dreams. Through difficult life changes -- Cyprus's bloody coup and war in 1974, a rescue from a sinking ship in the Indian Ocean, learning of her husband s secret life, and surviving his deadly assault in Belgium -- she discovers her ticking clock is not the child she has failed to produce, but rather the creative potential with which she can create a new life.
358 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
12 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
About the author
Susan Joyce
14 books144 followersBorn in Los Angeles California, Susan Joyce spent most of her childhood in Tucson, Arizona and returned to LA as a young working woman. Inspired as a child by postcards from her globe-trotting great aunt, Susan left the United States at age 20 to see the world.
She planned on being gone for a year, but ended up living her 20s and 30s in Europe and the Middle East. As a Jill of all trades, she worked as a secretary, freelance writer, taught computer classes, wrote songs, and became an accomplished artist while writing her first children's book, "Peel, the Extraordinary Elephant." An award winning author and editor of children's books. Susan has just completed a memoir of a twelve year 'roller-coaster' period of her life, titled "The Lullaby Illusion--A Journey of Awakening."
She planned on being gone for a year, but ended up living her 20s and 30s in Europe and the Middle East. As a Jill of all trades, she worked as a secretary, freelance writer, taught computer classes, wrote songs, and became an accomplished artist while writing her first children's book, "Peel, the Extraordinary Elephant." An award winning author and editor of children's books. Susan has just completed a memoir of a twelve year 'roller-coaster' period of her life, titled "The Lullaby Illusion--A Journey of Awakening."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 17, 2014
'The Lullaby Illusion' by Susan Joyce
I initially swithered a bit about this book, unsure. Swither is a Scots word, meaning, to move this way and that. But I swither no more! Susan's adventures would be great as a swashbuckler movie, though I doubt that anyone would really believe them. How any one woman can get into so many scrapes, get entangled with shady characters, spies, war, high seas adventures and the like, and come out of them and thrive, makes absorbing reading.
In the course of being thoroughly entertained I have learned a few sobering truths about war, what makes it, how it is perpetuated and why. I knew nothing about Cyprus, apart from the line across the middle. Now I know more. One day, I hope that Susan publishes her research on the subject.
I am especially fond of the other-world aspects, the metaphysical dimensions of the tale. I have vivid dreams, which tell me to hold faith with higher truths. I listen, though not often enough. And I found myself so grateful for the tale of Susan's success, achieved in large part because she always had the wit to listen and follow her internal guidance. Doing so has evidently led the author through adventures unscathed, to a life of deep fulfilment and joy.
That in itself is a message worth listening to. Thank you, Susan, for sharing your colourful experiences with us.
Fran Macilvey, author, "Trapped: My Life With Cerebral Palsy"
I initially swithered a bit about this book, unsure. Swither is a Scots word, meaning, to move this way and that. But I swither no more! Susan's adventures would be great as a swashbuckler movie, though I doubt that anyone would really believe them. How any one woman can get into so many scrapes, get entangled with shady characters, spies, war, high seas adventures and the like, and come out of them and thrive, makes absorbing reading.
In the course of being thoroughly entertained I have learned a few sobering truths about war, what makes it, how it is perpetuated and why. I knew nothing about Cyprus, apart from the line across the middle. Now I know more. One day, I hope that Susan publishes her research on the subject.
I am especially fond of the other-world aspects, the metaphysical dimensions of the tale. I have vivid dreams, which tell me to hold faith with higher truths. I listen, though not often enough. And I found myself so grateful for the tale of Susan's success, achieved in large part because she always had the wit to listen and follow her internal guidance. Doing so has evidently led the author through adventures unscathed, to a life of deep fulfilment and joy.
That in itself is a message worth listening to. Thank you, Susan, for sharing your colourful experiences with us.
Fran Macilvey, author, "Trapped: My Life With Cerebral Palsy"
September 25, 2015
This skilfully written memoir is a complex web containing threads of intrigue, life threatening incidents and moments of great poignancy and humour.
Susan Joyce begins by telling of her marriage to a man who she suspects might be leading a double life – one that is filled with mystery and sinister purpose. She is young and naïve and copes with his strange behaviour, but is deeply disturbed by his secrecy.
His job causes them to move locations, one of which is to Cyprus. Susan describes the beauty of the country, her lifestyle and development of friendships within the local and expatriate communities. There is so much that seems idyllic there until the moment when the war breaks out. I was gripped as I re-lived, through her eyes, the political and combative events that transpired. The traumas, accounts of human suffering and survival are vivid and incredibly moving.
Susan also tells us about her personal trials and successes. She recounts the physical and emotional agonies of multiple miscarriages, the bonds and losses of dear friends, and then the significance of her dreams. Through her mixed experiences she begins to realise and celebrate her artistic talent, her confidence and self-belief.
There are so many twists and turns to this compelling story that, at times, it read more like an espionage thriller than a memoir. The combination of her powers of description, and quality of writing made this a clear five star rating for me.
Susan Joyce begins by telling of her marriage to a man who she suspects might be leading a double life – one that is filled with mystery and sinister purpose. She is young and naïve and copes with his strange behaviour, but is deeply disturbed by his secrecy.
His job causes them to move locations, one of which is to Cyprus. Susan describes the beauty of the country, her lifestyle and development of friendships within the local and expatriate communities. There is so much that seems idyllic there until the moment when the war breaks out. I was gripped as I re-lived, through her eyes, the political and combative events that transpired. The traumas, accounts of human suffering and survival are vivid and incredibly moving.
Susan also tells us about her personal trials and successes. She recounts the physical and emotional agonies of multiple miscarriages, the bonds and losses of dear friends, and then the significance of her dreams. Through her mixed experiences she begins to realise and celebrate her artistic talent, her confidence and self-belief.
There are so many twists and turns to this compelling story that, at times, it read more like an espionage thriller than a memoir. The combination of her powers of description, and quality of writing made this a clear five star rating for me.
July 22, 2018
The reader is transported to the 1974 invasion of Cyprus where Susan and her husband Charles are caught in crossfire, as they and their friends take refuge in a UN camp, and eventually flee to safety. However, before boarding HMS Hermes, they witness the horrific devastation of war on their former neighbours and their homes...
The author realizes that the vivid dreams she has of her husband leading a double life are indeed true, and they eventually divorce. I felt so sad for her having suffered a series of miscarriages and the loss of a baby, but her tremendous spirit shines through as she makes a new life for herself in Germany.
Channeling her creativity into a series of batik paintings, Susan's first exhibition sells out and she thrives amidst a wonderful cast of characters and several romantic liaisons.
This is a wonderfully uplifting memoir that I found intriguing from the outset.
The author realizes that the vivid dreams she has of her husband leading a double life are indeed true, and they eventually divorce. I felt so sad for her having suffered a series of miscarriages and the loss of a baby, but her tremendous spirit shines through as she makes a new life for herself in Germany.
Channeling her creativity into a series of batik paintings, Susan's first exhibition sells out and she thrives amidst a wonderful cast of characters and several romantic liaisons.
This is a wonderfully uplifting memoir that I found intriguing from the outset.
October 6, 2013
Born in Los Angeles, children's book author Susan Joyce is a creative dreamer and traveler, who shares the amazing story of her adventurous life in her new memoir.
Peopled with many characters, some famous--there's even an Elvis sighting--this memoir recounts the terrifying events of a military coup and Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974 on the foreigners and expats who were stranded there.
What would it be like to be caught in the middle of a war that wasn't even yours? Joyce had a beautiful life until she had to abandon her lovely home in the paradise that was the island of Cyprus and become a border refugee dodging bullets flying overhead and fire spreading through the refugee camp. The refugees, caught between the Greeks and the Turks, were helped by UN soldiers and were airlifted by helicopter to a British ship. Joyce went on to live in Europe, but later on she had to be rescued from a boat in the Indian Ocean. A very wild ride indeed!
Dreams, news reports, conversations, travel descriptions, and lots of conversations blend together to give a picture of the dramatic events at a time when the author was focused on her wish to have a baby after many miscarriages and a tragic stillbirth, and her disintegrating marriage and suspicion that her husband of thirteen years was a spy.
Her awakening comes from the realization that she cannot have a baby, and she needs to use her powers of creation in another way, which she does very successfully. Once safe in Europe, giving up on her dream to bear a child, she reinvents herself as an artist as she continues to travel the world.
Peopled with many characters, some famous--there's even an Elvis sighting--this memoir recounts the terrifying events of a military coup and Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974 on the foreigners and expats who were stranded there.
What would it be like to be caught in the middle of a war that wasn't even yours? Joyce had a beautiful life until she had to abandon her lovely home in the paradise that was the island of Cyprus and become a border refugee dodging bullets flying overhead and fire spreading through the refugee camp. The refugees, caught between the Greeks and the Turks, were helped by UN soldiers and were airlifted by helicopter to a British ship. Joyce went on to live in Europe, but later on she had to be rescued from a boat in the Indian Ocean. A very wild ride indeed!
Dreams, news reports, conversations, travel descriptions, and lots of conversations blend together to give a picture of the dramatic events at a time when the author was focused on her wish to have a baby after many miscarriages and a tragic stillbirth, and her disintegrating marriage and suspicion that her husband of thirteen years was a spy.
Her awakening comes from the realization that she cannot have a baby, and she needs to use her powers of creation in another way, which she does very successfully. Once safe in Europe, giving up on her dream to bear a child, she reinvents herself as an artist as she continues to travel the world.
May 26, 2014
I confess to never having read a book quite like this before. It felt ever so slightly disjointed until I learned the rhythm and went along with the flow and storyline. And what a story Susan has to tell! Dreams and illusions there are aplenty, woven into the fabric of the tale, so that it almost comes alive in your hands. I learned so much of her personal tragedy in the Cyprus crisis (I myself was 31 at the time) and her life both before and afterwards. By the time that the Epilogue came around and detailed what had happened to all of her friends, I felt that I had got to know them all so well, and could shed a tear for her losses. This is a magical and moving book, written by an author who has demonstrably enjoyed her life to the full.
John Searancke—Reviewer,Tenerife Island Connections
John Searancke—Reviewer,Tenerife Island Connections
May 14, 2024
Totally gripping, edge of seat, page-turning. This is a riveting thriller; no it’s Susan Joyce’s memoir! It appears she could be living with a spy for a husband. They move to the idyllic island of Cyprus, officially in the Middle East, where Charles has ‘business’ interests. 1974 Susan is caught up in the coup. Then they are both literally in the middle of the Turkish-Greek war; explosions, fire, & bullets flying everywhere! This narrative has a dual timeline. The second, later in Frankfurt, where Susan is creative. There’s personal sadness too as Susan experiences miscarriages & a stillbirth. A fascinating memoir of a life ‘livid’!
October 4, 2015
There is a saying "the world is your oyster", suggesting the person is free to take any opportunity they choose, that life has to offer. Susan Joyce fully embraces the life opportunities that are presented to her. Without giving anything away, it is only the author’s belief in herself, and her ability to trust and act on her intuitive feelings that carries her through the great, the good, the sad, the fearful, the adverse and the indifferent. Would she have ever embarked on this journey had she known what life events awaited her when she met and within months, married Charles and together experienced living in various countries, absorbing new languages and cultures?
The book is enjoyable on several levels through varying threads: single, married and separated life; living in new countries; experiencing a war, and Joyce’s esoteric spirituality conveyed in her dreams and journalling. Through self-awareness, this inevitably led the author to confront the possibility of lies in her world, then beginning to see her world more as it was, not as she presumed it to be. The more the author saw her world objectively, the wiser her choices became with her resulting actions having a positive impact on her life.
The author’s lyrical writing style gives her work an intensity. Sometimes it is an inner emotional intensity, and at other times, an outward-looking evocation of time and place. This enables the creation of a form of beauty, not only of the fun and happy times but also from ugly or frightening events, especially those experienced during her time of living through the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
I unreservedly recommend this book. It brought to mind Carl Jung and his belief that one does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious, to bring it into light. The author’s ability to examine and make sense of all her experiences, her willingness to share it honestly with her readers, is what elevates this book above most other memoir.
The book is enjoyable on several levels through varying threads: single, married and separated life; living in new countries; experiencing a war, and Joyce’s esoteric spirituality conveyed in her dreams and journalling. Through self-awareness, this inevitably led the author to confront the possibility of lies in her world, then beginning to see her world more as it was, not as she presumed it to be. The more the author saw her world objectively, the wiser her choices became with her resulting actions having a positive impact on her life.
The author’s lyrical writing style gives her work an intensity. Sometimes it is an inner emotional intensity, and at other times, an outward-looking evocation of time and place. This enables the creation of a form of beauty, not only of the fun and happy times but also from ugly or frightening events, especially those experienced during her time of living through the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
I unreservedly recommend this book. It brought to mind Carl Jung and his belief that one does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious, to bring it into light. The author’s ability to examine and make sense of all her experiences, her willingness to share it honestly with her readers, is what elevates this book above most other memoir.
September 2, 2014
I know Susan Joyce’s memoir, THE LULLABY ILLUSION, is non-fiction, yet it reads like fiction -- delivering all the tension and thrills one expects from a suspense novel. In fact, with the way it portrays the cold war era of the 1970s, along with its vivid descriptions of traveling through Europe and the Middle East, it reminded me of a Helen MacInnes cold war era suspense novel. The places, people and situations in this book are absorbing in the same way the situations and characters in a MacInnes novel are absorbing. I would say Ms. Joyce has led a very interesting life. I’m glad she’s chosen to share this part of it with us.
Ms. Joyce employs a series of time switches in her memoir to help the reader understand and absorb the entire story, but the bulk of the action takes place in Europe in the seventies. It vividly chronicles her time spent in “paradise” (as the author refers to Cyprus) where she was living in 1974 during the Greek coup d’état and the Turkish invasion I was riveted as I read her harrowing and tense account of being caught between the warring factions. She was fortunate to survive.
The heart of the story, though, is her reaction to the grim reality of coming to terms with betrayal by the person she should have been most able to trust, her husband. Was he a double agent? Did he have something to do with the war in Cyprus? Did she ever truly know him? In choosing how to react to these questions, and his betrayal, she finds herself paying attention to her dreams and intuition, which act as guides to finding self-fulfillment and reinventing herself both creatively and personally.
Ultimately, this is a life-affirming story, as a good memoir should be. It shows how we can turn heartache into triumph. It all depends on how we choose to react. As I closed the book with a sigh of satisfaction, I found myself pondering how life gives us many opportunities to become who we really are, if we are wise enough to be paying attention.
Ms. Joyce employs a series of time switches in her memoir to help the reader understand and absorb the entire story, but the bulk of the action takes place in Europe in the seventies. It vividly chronicles her time spent in “paradise” (as the author refers to Cyprus) where she was living in 1974 during the Greek coup d’état and the Turkish invasion I was riveted as I read her harrowing and tense account of being caught between the warring factions. She was fortunate to survive.
The heart of the story, though, is her reaction to the grim reality of coming to terms with betrayal by the person she should have been most able to trust, her husband. Was he a double agent? Did he have something to do with the war in Cyprus? Did she ever truly know him? In choosing how to react to these questions, and his betrayal, she finds herself paying attention to her dreams and intuition, which act as guides to finding self-fulfillment and reinventing herself both creatively and personally.
Ultimately, this is a life-affirming story, as a good memoir should be. It shows how we can turn heartache into triumph. It all depends on how we choose to react. As I closed the book with a sigh of satisfaction, I found myself pondering how life gives us many opportunities to become who we really are, if we are wise enough to be paying attention.
December 2, 2013
This is a wonderful, wonderful memoir - expertly told and with bags of incident and finely judged humour. Ms Joyce has a very vivid dream-life (keeps a dream diary, I do that!) and one night dreams that she was a wild pinto running free across the Arizona desert. Her friend asks if the horse said anything, and Susan quips ‘Neighed a lot!’ I also LOVED the birthday suit episode – won’t give too much away, but the ‘it didn’t need much pressing’ line had me in fits!
Following a divorce, a series of miscarriages and a tragic still-birth, Ms Joyce realises that having children is not a guarantee of happiness – she achieves new fulfilment as a writer of children’s books…inspired by dream visits from a singing elephant! This is no ordinary singing elephant either, it sings in rhyme!
“An elephant won’t forget you when you’re happy.
An elephant won’t forget you when you’re sad.
’Cause an elephant knows the secret is remembering it all—
Learning from the good times, and the bad.”
One gets the feeling that Ms Joyce has taken this to heart…her story recalls a good and comfortable life suddenly turned bad when the 1974 Cyprus coup forces her out of her paradise home – her “lullaby existence” - and into a hail of flying bullets. And that’s just the start of her troubled travels – both in her extended globetrotting in the real world (nearly drowned in the Indian Ocean!) and in the reflective travels of her dream world as she reflects on and learns to overcome each new challenge (including finding out her hubby is a spy!) with both courage and wisdom. ‘The Lullaby Illusion’ is an ode to the human spirit - a testament to a life lived fully and well and made strong by the experience.
Following a divorce, a series of miscarriages and a tragic still-birth, Ms Joyce realises that having children is not a guarantee of happiness – she achieves new fulfilment as a writer of children’s books…inspired by dream visits from a singing elephant! This is no ordinary singing elephant either, it sings in rhyme!
“An elephant won’t forget you when you’re happy.
An elephant won’t forget you when you’re sad.
’Cause an elephant knows the secret is remembering it all—
Learning from the good times, and the bad.”
One gets the feeling that Ms Joyce has taken this to heart…her story recalls a good and comfortable life suddenly turned bad when the 1974 Cyprus coup forces her out of her paradise home – her “lullaby existence” - and into a hail of flying bullets. And that’s just the start of her troubled travels – both in her extended globetrotting in the real world (nearly drowned in the Indian Ocean!) and in the reflective travels of her dream world as she reflects on and learns to overcome each new challenge (including finding out her hubby is a spy!) with both courage and wisdom. ‘The Lullaby Illusion’ is an ode to the human spirit - a testament to a life lived fully and well and made strong by the experience.
October 21, 2015
Susan Joyce’s ‘Lullaby Illusion’ is a truly fascinating memoir. One strand details her travels and life in Europe with remarkable descriptions and a conversational style that effortlessly draws the reader into her world. What an extraordinary and varied life she had. It was certainly touched with tragedy as she suffered numerous miscarriages and the trauma of a stillbirth. She was living in Cyprus at the time of the Greek Cypriot coup and subsequent invasion by the Turkish Army and was very lucky to escape with her life. She also realises that her husband Charles is leading a double life and finds herself in danger from him. However Susan somehow copes with this and emerges as a strong and self reliant woman building a new life as a successful artist. The second strand explores Susan’s ‘dream world’ and her very strong intuitive feelings which she has learnt to trust and which she knows guides her path. These are wonderfully interwoven into this amazing narrative showing that truth can be stranger and infinitely more action packed than fiction. At one point I realised I had tears running down my face reading about her dream sequence where she whispers ‘The Lullaby Illusion – life’s illusive song.’ It’s a truly moving memoir and one which I highly recommend. Worth every one of the 5 stars
February 2, 2015
The Lullaby Illusion: A Journey of Awakening by Susan Joyce, truly pulled on my heartstrings. I don't know what I was expecting when I first jumped into this one, but what I came out with was awe and amazement. So well written, impossible to put down, and truly left me pondering for hours after I finished reading it.
This is a memoir, which is the type of novel that I enjoy reading most. You get a real feel of the author and the hardships she had to go through over the course of time. The story mainly focuses on the Turkish Invasion in Cyprus in 1974, the military coup and the foreigners and expats who were left behind there. Susan Joyce had a wonderful life, but she had to abandon it in order to become a border refugee. Eventually she ends up in Europe, but ends up having to be rescued there as well.
There are so many aspects of this novel that go way beyond war. Joyce realizes she can't have children as well, so we get to see her struggle through that and how she copes with it. She wants to continue to travel, even after reaching Europe, and we watch as she makes that a reality as well.
This storyline is not only heart wrenching, It's uplifting as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I admire Susan Joyce very much. This is one memoir worth reading!
This is a memoir, which is the type of novel that I enjoy reading most. You get a real feel of the author and the hardships she had to go through over the course of time. The story mainly focuses on the Turkish Invasion in Cyprus in 1974, the military coup and the foreigners and expats who were left behind there. Susan Joyce had a wonderful life, but she had to abandon it in order to become a border refugee. Eventually she ends up in Europe, but ends up having to be rescued there as well.
There are so many aspects of this novel that go way beyond war. Joyce realizes she can't have children as well, so we get to see her struggle through that and how she copes with it. She wants to continue to travel, even after reaching Europe, and we watch as she makes that a reality as well.
This storyline is not only heart wrenching, It's uplifting as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I admire Susan Joyce very much. This is one memoir worth reading!
February 28, 2015
The Lullaby Illusion is a wonderful and kaleidoscopic personal journey. Although Susan Joyce passes through gruesome moments: a miscarriage, life in the cross fire zone of the civil war in Cyprus, a marriage breakup where her husband was close to killing her and the loss of her best friend to AIDS, she paints these facts with gentle strokes as the artist she is in "real life" and creates a lovely picture out of them. What I most liked about the book was that, like a certain James with the same surname as herself, Susan's style is a stream of consciousness where she goes there and back in time involving the reader, not only in her interesting history but also in her psyche. To do this, she takes us into the realm of her dream life which, in her case, is a very powerful and mysterious tool with dealing with the hardships she finds on her way. Her smooth cruising above hard times, her inner equilibrium and her successes make the reader feel good about their existence. The author also shows an uplifting capacity for enjoying the best things in life such as true friendship and love and has the power to make everything and everyone she touches seem special. Definitely a five star.
May 14, 2015
Fab 'thumbs-up' from me. I was gripped by the Author's 'journey' during the 70s/80s - And I so admire her 'guts' - not only did she suffer the trauma of miscarriages and the awfully sad realisation that her baby was still-born; but, she never really knew what her then husband did for a living…hmmm. This Memoir covers a frightening time in Cyprus, the 1974 Coup when the Author, neighbours & friends have their lives in this paradise turned upside down - dodging bullets - hiding, escaping - will they get out - what's going to happen? The descriptions of her wonderful friends & the times she spent with them in Germany, Frankfurt, France, Cyprus, LA - totally engaging. The Author has vivid dreams which she captures in a dream journal - spooky at times - fate? who knows!. A talented Artist who turns things around and has some brilliant gallery art shows. I'm not one for giving too much away as I never can find the right words and don't wish to spoil this Memoir for others... I do highly recommend it - and I sincerely hope there will be another to take us readers further with Susan Joyce on what I believe is a remarkable, brave journey thus far.
September 18, 2015
I enjoyed reading Susan Joyce’s ‘The Lullaby Illusion’. I have very vague childhood memories of the conflict in Cyprus during 1974 and this memoir filled in some big gaps for me. I felt while reading the book this was a story that needed to be told and I am glad that Susan Joyce found the time, energy and tenacity to tell it. The author lived through a coup and a war and her story needed to be circulated so others may benefit from it. I particularly liked the descriptions of the coup and resulting war. I felt those descriptions rang true to life. I also enjoyed the many dream sequences. The importance of the author’s dreams, and dreams generally, emerge as a central theme that underpins this memoir. The entire memoir is infused with the author’s warm, positive and very feminine personality. Susan Joyce comes across as a multi-talented person – including a talented hostess, chef, writer and artist. I was also left with the feeling the author had a spiritual connection to the universe and a faith that made sure she was looked after even during the dark moments described in the memoir. This book is a really good read.
August 3, 2014
Susan Joyce's incredible memoir follows her life through events that make this read more like fiction than fact. Written as a series of dialogues between Susan and various important friends and influencers, it is a compelling and very moving read as we travel backwards and forwards in time through the events described in the book. The book takes us through her escape from the war in Cyprus and a damaging marriage, the loss of her child and friends whom she loved. Susan Joyce emerges through it all and grows, influenced by her vivid and insightful dreams, into a woman I cannot help but admire. A highly recommended read!
October 9, 2014
This book kept me looking at my Atlas - truly a great travelogue and good story of Susan Joyce's journey as a person. Using several flashbacks, she tells the story of the overthrow of the government of Cyprus when she lived there with her husband in 1974. She does a great job of describing her harrowing time in the war zone and subsequent travels around the globe. After her escape from Cyprus, she needs to reinvent herself as her marriage unravels. It is an inspiring story of triumph against the odds. I think her success derives from approaching everything with a positive attitude and without fear.
May 24, 2015
What a ride that was! The book is very well written and takes you on a wild journey of a woman who grows right before your eyes. I won't spoil the story but will tease you a bit; she survives the start of a war in Cyprus, miscarriages, and did I mention possibly a spy in her life? There is much more I won't discuss here but this is an artist on the inside with a character made of steel. This must be made into a movie and the screenwriter won't have to think much describing the scenes because of Susan's mastery of writing. I recommend this book unreservedly.
January 12, 2016
I really wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book. I certainly didn't envisage being held captive by its pages until the last word was read. The author recounts her amazing adventures during her time in war torn Cyprus and juxtaposes her narrative with scenes from her later life when she moved to Germany. While much of the book read like an amazing action movie, the pages yield a rich mix of adventure, self discovery, and prescience. Her friends felt like my friends and I enjoyed every minute of her journey of awakening.
February 9, 2016
I enjoyed the unique voice of the author in this memoir - it read almost like a play script with its reliance on dialogue and moving back and forth through time and place to cover and recover events through various lenses by the narrator. Susan Joyce's exuberance for life and upbeat humor kept me turning the pages and even though some elements didn't feel entirely wrapped up - the mystery of a certain ex's actual activities, for example - overall that didn't matter in the face of the bigger story of Joyce's awakening. A life-affirming, interesting read.
October 27, 2016
From start to finish, Susan Joyce's Lullaby Illusion is vivid, incredible story about a life many of us can only imagine. I'm glad she found a way to recreate her life after a failed marriage with a secretive, abusive husband. I especially enjoyed her descriptions of the the incredible coop in Cyprus in 1974 - a firsthand experience most of us can only imagine from afar. Her writing style will have you racing to the end to see how things turn out.
June 6, 2014
An EXCELLENT read. A very fascinating and insightful book. Susan Joyce certainly had a lot to tell and told it wonderfully.
Without spoiling it for future readers, I can say that I was brought to tears at the loss of one of the 'characters', who I had come to feel very close to.
Lullaby Illusion is clearly a Five Star memoir.
Without spoiling it for future readers, I can say that I was brought to tears at the loss of one of the 'characters', who I had come to feel very close to.
Lullaby Illusion is clearly a Five Star memoir.
May 20, 2014
This true account is told with honesty and integrity. The degree of detail in describing both the physical and psychological experiences is carefully done to enable the reader to not only understand, but also to create a level of engagement. An inspirational woman and an inspirational book.
August 5, 2016
An opera is what this memoir reminds me of. Charles, for me, was the greatest mystery to uncurl, and the dialogue created a unique reading experience, in particular the stirring dreams weaved inside the larger story... an experience I happened to like, along with the epilogue.
August 12, 2016
Harrowing, touching and beautiful. I would like to read more of this author's work.
August 1, 2019
I recently read Ms. Joyce's hair raising memoir "Good Morning Diego Garcia". Quite a heart stopping adventure story, more thriller than a lot I've read. I saw this on the list of "Other writings by..." and picked it up immediately. While some have suggested the time splits between the 1974 Cyprus war accounts into the later '70's calmer narrative was a bit to get used to, I relished the calm parts to get my head grounded again. The events in this woman's life are way beyond normal and never common place. I can see why anyone that knows her would have encouraged her to set it on paper for others to read and marvel at. The fully instructional visions and dreams she has are of fundamental importance with two specific events the most telling and immediately accurate. The voice and actions of her still born son. She knew exactly when his spirit had gone, he's saved her life. On more than one occasion I felt she might lose her life, but, of course she survived and persevered in taking control of her thoughts and deeds to claim all the hopes and dreams from her youth into realities. The wonderful friends she had from Cyprus and then in Germany are great and insightful people, I felt saddened when Michael passed. I have to admit beyond the stalker I kept looking around the corners for Charles to re-appear and even after the divorce is finalized and she sees him one last time I finally felt it would be ok to breathe for her again. The differences between these two people and the way they conducted their lives makes it difficult to think of their long marriage, but knowing she was pretty much kept in her gilded cage throughout that period; getting out when she did, with absolutely nothing and building her self and her life was no illusion, she deserves every amount of happiness for taking every shot at anything new that fascinated her.
July 7, 2020
This memoir plays with your emotions from start to finish but the author shows no sign of self-pity. Behind the wonderful narration you can sense her physical pain an her story moves back and forth through the past and back again to present day. I laughed and cried through this memoir.
Susan´s moving story is set in beautiful Cyprus where she spends a lot of her days on her own whilst Charles her husband is away on business. Suffering numerous miscarriages and the trauma of a stillbirth of her baby boy but her survivor spirit came to the fore and helped her through.
They are in Cyprus during the Greek Cypriot military coup of 1974 they witness the horrific devastation of war on their former neighbours and their homes. They flee their home and for days are holed up at a refuge in a UN camp at Tjikles Camp in Kyrenia with little or no food and water. Susan, her husband and friend Ronit are eventually rescued and board HMS Hermes.
Throughout her life Susan has had vivid dreams and she now realises that the vivid dreams of her husband leading a double life are indeed true and finds herself in danger from him, they eventually divorce.
Susan´s tremendous spirit once again shines through as she makes a new life for herself in Germany. Coping with all of this she emerges as a strong and self reliant woman building a new life as a successful artist. With her batik paintings her 1st solo exhibition is a huge success and a sell out. This is an uplifting memoir about the importance of friendship and following your dreams.
Susan´s moving story is set in beautiful Cyprus where she spends a lot of her days on her own whilst Charles her husband is away on business. Suffering numerous miscarriages and the trauma of a stillbirth of her baby boy but her survivor spirit came to the fore and helped her through.
They are in Cyprus during the Greek Cypriot military coup of 1974 they witness the horrific devastation of war on their former neighbours and their homes. They flee their home and for days are holed up at a refuge in a UN camp at Tjikles Camp in Kyrenia with little or no food and water. Susan, her husband and friend Ronit are eventually rescued and board HMS Hermes.
Throughout her life Susan has had vivid dreams and she now realises that the vivid dreams of her husband leading a double life are indeed true and finds herself in danger from him, they eventually divorce.
Susan´s tremendous spirit once again shines through as she makes a new life for herself in Germany. Coping with all of this she emerges as a strong and self reliant woman building a new life as a successful artist. With her batik paintings her 1st solo exhibition is a huge success and a sell out. This is an uplifting memoir about the importance of friendship and following your dreams.
June 2, 2021
I liked the title, the cover, and the story! Susan is a really good storyteller. She takes you for a spin with her through her external journey traveling to different countries and cities as well as through her thoughts and into inward journey into her psyche and dreams.
She discloses her personal account of being caught up in the middle of the war in Cyprus and the coup from Turkey, and especially the shock that her husband knew more than he really should about it. She leads you beyond all her ups and downs in life, her joys, the frustration of her miscaraiges and loss of a child, the disintegration of their marriage, the deceptions, and travels.
This book resonated so much with me because I was acquainted with the backdrop of her story, as she shared little details of her life in Frankfurt. The words, the dishes, the streets where I used to roam were all familiar. It brought me back to my past and stirred a lot of emotions that I thought were long stagnant. I naturally applauded her successes as an artist and her new life and relationships. Her friends become yours in the telling.
It was inspirational that Susan also takes us through her dreams that seemed to materialize guiding her on as she attends to their signs, attuned to them, using them to navigate through life.
This is an incredibly unique memoir. Thanks Susan, I can’t wait to read book 2.
She discloses her personal account of being caught up in the middle of the war in Cyprus and the coup from Turkey, and especially the shock that her husband knew more than he really should about it. She leads you beyond all her ups and downs in life, her joys, the frustration of her miscaraiges and loss of a child, the disintegration of their marriage, the deceptions, and travels.
This book resonated so much with me because I was acquainted with the backdrop of her story, as she shared little details of her life in Frankfurt. The words, the dishes, the streets where I used to roam were all familiar. It brought me back to my past and stirred a lot of emotions that I thought were long stagnant. I naturally applauded her successes as an artist and her new life and relationships. Her friends become yours in the telling.
It was inspirational that Susan also takes us through her dreams that seemed to materialize guiding her on as she attends to their signs, attuned to them, using them to navigate through life.
This is an incredibly unique memoir. Thanks Susan, I can’t wait to read book 2.
December 30, 2021
A thrilling page-turner look at a life of adventure. Caught in a military coup on Cypress, married to a man she didn't really know, and plunged into the unknown, Susan shows how the way forward can contain delight-filled opportunities and surprises while demonstrating the courage it takes to make the most of them.
February 6, 2018
This is an amazing journey of highs and lows and all places in between.
Superbly written, and absolutely riveting from beginning to end.
What an incredible story!
Superbly written, and absolutely riveting from beginning to end.
What an incredible story!
September 12, 2019
Read this book at just the right time in my life. A beautiful story of adventure, survival and discovery. Will be recommending it to my book club!
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