leila & sali
by Dimity Fifer
A story of love, loss and the journeys along the way
AVAILABLE in PAPERBACK JANUARY 2024
$20 + Postage
“original and poetic, this book is for lovers of distant lands and relationships lost and found.”
— KY Eyre
A thirty something academic, Leila is an advisor to international donors and governments. When not on a plane, or at a UN conference, she is visiting war-torn countries, refugee settlements and remote communities. Her only time for reflection is either 33,000 feet above the earth, or in an airport lounge.
Her nomadic life is held together by her regular taxi driver, Sali. During the forty-minute drive from her home in Melbourne to the airport and back, their relationship develops to become an unlikely friendship. Their stories of grief and loss, and their mutual passion for poetry, especially haiku, are the glue that binds them together.
The world Leila and Sali create in the taxi is their one constant and once you enter you will not want to leave.
KY EYRE REVIEW:
IF you’re looking for something different, Leila and Sali could be it. I enjoyed reading this book as much as I did working on it, mainly because Leila, the eponymous hero, is such a fascinating character. She’s an intriguing mixture of female attributes. She’s sassy and strong, yet at times insecure and anxious. But, in her role as hard-headed negotiator, she confidently navigates her way through an eye-opening backdrop of endless and at times frustrating conferences, as well as visits to war-torn countries and remote communities. Sometimes she’s with a long-lost lover, sometimes she’s not.
One of the main elements in the book is the unresolved love that develops between Leila and her regular taxi driver, Sali. During their many rides to and from the Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne they are brought together by their love of poetry, specifically haiku. Over the years, both have experienced heartbreaking loss, and although they know their connection is sacred, they also know it is never to be spoken of between them or expressed physically.
A compelling blend of backstories, exotic destinations and insightful encounters, Leila will pull at your heart strings and remain in your memory. I highly recommend it to all those who enjoy romantic stories and all things poetic.
poetry
Writing poetry to reflect on a moment or a lifetime is a joy.
you may want to taste a little with a zine or ventue further into the world of haiku, senyru and one line poems
COMING IN 2024
About dimity
Dimity Fifer knows a great deal about travel and her career as a highly regarded CEO, Board Chair, Founder and Mentor has taken her to more than 30 countries across five continents over the last three decades.
She understands the world of international development and how to build and sustain people’s movements committed to social justice. Having met thousands of people and heard countless stories she also knows a thing or two about love, loss and the journeys along the way.
Wish to contact Dimity?
Email her at dimityafifer@gmail.com
