Elephant

Elephant is about Shirreffs waiting — to be seen, to be told, to be treated, to be scared, to be relieved, to be healed, to be again. Her contemporary notes share the twin burdens of illness and treatment, but also care as communion. A masterpiece. 
Victor Montori M.D.
Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester

Written entirely in the media of our time - emails, text messages, social media posts - this book is a rare and wonderful thing. Using her own body as the canvas, and tracing the scars etched upon it by multiple medical interventions, Gillian Shirreffs has laid bare the physical and emotional impact of a life-threatening diagnosis. But she has done so with such humanity and hope that we are left in no doubt about the strength of the human spirit and our will to survive.
Elissa Soave
Author of Ginger and Me, Graffiti Girls

A heartfelt, intimate story. The author’s ability to show us under the skin of her journey is compelling. A must-read.
Sandra Ireland

Author of Beneath the Skin, Sight Unseen, The Unmaking of Ellie Rook
This honest and very personal account of Gillian’s experience will resonate with many readers. The book addresses fundamental life issues in such an accessible and relatable way. I have no doubt it will bring inspiration to readers.
Gillian Hailstones
CEO, Beatson Cancer Charity

Elephant is a smart and witty verbatim record of illness that allows us to name the undercurrents we often try to gloss over. We delve into each page and know: this is strength; this is terror; this is putting one foot in front of another, one word after another; this is how we might record a time when our relationship to all words, to all things, is in movement. Gillian is a funny, forthright guide and Elephant is an assertive, bright and tender beast of a book.
Dr Elizabeth Reeder
Senior lecturer in Creative Writing at University of Glasgow; author of An Archive of Happiness, Ramshackle, Fremont


Moving, witty and inspiring.Olga Wojtas
Writer, journalist and former Scottish editor of the Times Higher Education Supplement; author of the Miss Blaine’s Prefect Series 

A moving, heartbreaking yet funny and frank look at a terrifying time, told through shared moments with friends and family. A real insight into Gillian’s life but one which will resonate with so many. I’m also in love with her parents and I don’t even know them!
Laura Boyd
Entertainment reporter at STV News; co-host of What’s On Scotland 

Elephant is such an important book — sharp, modern, moving and unflinchingly honest. It is also brave, bold and brilliant. Just like the talent that is Dr Gillian Shirreffs.
Heather Suttie
TV and radio presenter; newspaper columnist