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A Novel

By Linda Coussement

A timeless gem that will captivate and challenge readers for generations to come." —Andy Chaleff, author of The Connection Playbook: A Practical Guide to Building Deep, Meaningful, Harmonious Relationships

"The book's dreamlike quality makes for a compelling read. A haunting novel of forgotten traumas and restorative friendships."—Kirkus Reviews

When mysterious circles, one of wildflowers and one of concrete, suddenly appear in two gardens separated by an imposing wall, a series of events is set into motion that will change the lives of everyone involved.

Fiction / Visionary & Metaphysical

About the book

  • When mysterious circles, one of wildflowers and one of concrete, suddenly appear in two gardens separated by an imposing wall, a series of events is set into motion that will change the lives of everyone involved.

    Ghost wakes to find that he is, in fact, dead, and has many more questions than answers. Why is he still here? Where else is he supposed to be? How is he supposed to get there?

    Without a physical body, Ghost can no longer find comfort in the pleasures that helped him get by in life and is forced to search for the truth about his past and his present. He enlists the help of Leora and Xander, the neighbors who now live on the land that once belonged to him. As memories of Ghost’s haunted past return, all three of them face existential turmoil that challenges their sense of self. Storms rage outside in the gardens and inside their own hearts. Leora, buckling under depression and grief, finds an unexpected friend in Xander, who doubts if he’s ever really lived at all.

    While Ghost dives deeper into his traumatic history filled with love and loss, the storms worsen and the wall grows higher until only one question remains for each one to answer: Do I have the courage to face what I fear most in order to find meaning in both life and death?

  • "CONTRAST not only entertains but also inspires deep contemplation. This book is a journey of self-discovery, a meditation on the human experience, and a portal into a realm where the boundaries between present and past blur, revealing the interconnectedness of all life. It is a timeless gem that will captivate and challenge readers for generations to come." — Andy Chaleff, author of The Connection Playbook: A Practical Guide to Building Deep, Meaningful, Harmonious Relationships

    "The book's dreamlike quality makes for a compelling read. A haunting novel of forgotten traumas and restorative friendships." — Kirkus Reviews

    "Coussement debuts with a searching, speculative drama about the meaning of life and death and how emotional wounds from our past affect our future. While very much a novel of the mind, Coussement's style allows readers to feel like they are hanging out with familiar friends somewhere between this world and the beyond." — Publishers Weekly Booklife Reviews

    "Linda Coussement's masterful storytelling takes readers on a transformative journey, exploring the complexities of emotions and the power of self-discovery. With its poignant exploration of love, loneliness, and the fragility of humanity, this book resonates with spiritual seekers, offering profound insights and a renewed sense of hope." — Guru Gian/Jasper Kok, international Kundalini yoga teacher and author of Kundalini Yoga (R)Evolution

    "Coussement has created a world that leaves behind a deep and lasting impression. A beautiful story that excels in its realistic portrait of the meaning of life." — The Prairies Book Review

    "A profound exploration of humanity, the meaning of life, and the possibilities that lie beyond death's veil." — Chelsea Tucker, Independent Book Review

  • Published by Elephas Publishing

    Published on February 6, 2024

    Print length 218 pages

    ISBN 978-9083353319

    Dimensions 5-1/2 × 8-1/2


Linda Coussement

About the Author

Linda Coussement has been exploring meaning and purpose for many years by intertwining an 18+ year-long career in business consulting with travel, teaching yoga, cofounding a sustainability start-up, travel and portrait photography, and studying the metaphysical concept of meaningful relations. The latter included a yearlong journey across Europe to ask over a hundred people "How is it to be you?" From her home in the Netherlands, she helps leaders around the world grow their human-forward businesses while writing fiction and creating photography portraits that ignite self-reflection and understanding. Visit Linda online at lindacoussement.com.

Author photo by Linda Coussement


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Let Them Whimper