When I returned from holiday in August I was delighted to find a surprise copy of Wild Hope by Donna Ashworth waiting for me. My enormous thanks to Flora Willis at Bonnier for sending it my way. It’s my pleasure to share my review of Wild Hope today. 

Wild Hope was published by Black & White publishing on 26th September 2023 and is available for purchase here.

Wild Hope

Wild Hope is Donna Ashworth’s powerful new collection of wisdom to help us find hope, peace, self-acceptance and inspiration on the days we feel worn down, helpless or sad. Written with love and understanding, Donna reminds us that amidst our daily struggles and constant outpourings of bad news we have so much to hope for, and that every one of us can play a part, big or small, in making the world a better place. 

With poems such as ‘Surrounded by Treasure’, ‘That Thing You Do’, ‘Through the Wringer’ and ‘Rope Ladder’, Donna helps us to remember that most people in this world are good, and that acts of kindness and love within our individual spheres of influence, however small, all contribute to a better future. She also gently guides us, no matter how busy or overburdened we may be, to practice better self-care and self-acceptance.

Hope exists when nothing else can. On the darkest of days Wild Hope will help you find more light.

My Review of Wild Hope

A collection of writing about the power of hope.

I’m going to be totally honest and say that Wild Hope is by no means the most literary collection of writing you can encounter. Donna Ashworth is no metaphysical John Donne. And that is the absolute beauty of Wild Hope. It is completely accessible, uplifting and supportive. You don’t need to have a higher degree in literary criticism to feel connected to the writing here, to feel as if Donna Ashworth is speaking directly to you and offering hope when at times it may feel completely elusive. 

Certainly there are literary techniques in the collection that will satisfy those who enjoy them. The use of italics for emphasis, enjambement to illustrate the passing of time perhaps, or the use of the pronoun ‘you’ to draw in the reader are all present in the writing, but they are secondary, used unselfconsciously as Donna Ashcroft writes completely from the heart. Throughout the collection she conveys hope as a kind of emotional kintsugi that allows the reader to find their own peace and beauty in themselves and in the world around them. This is such a supportive collection.

Whilst much of the writing appealed to me completely (and I do think this is a collection that might resonate with women most) and I could quote from so many pieces to exemplify, one entry in particular stood out in its entirety and that was With Your Knowing – but you’ll have to read Wild Hope to discover it for yourself. Let me just say that it’s a poem I’ve earmarked for my uncertain future. 

Wild Hope does exactly what it sets out to do and it does it perfectly. It acknowledges the challenges of life at its darkest moments and helps the reader shine a little light there instead. I thought it was completely lovely. 

About Donna Ashworth

Donna Ashworth is a Sunday Times bestselling author and a lover of words who lives happily in the hills of Scotland with her husband, two sons, and Brian and Dave (the dogs). Donna started her social media accounts in 2018 and is astounded daily by the international reach her words have garnered. “My dream was to connect with women all over the world, so we could look at each other and say I see you, this is hard and just generally agree that imperfection is to be celebrated not feared.” When she is not writing, Donna loves to eat, be merry and laugh; believing these to be the best medicines life can offer.

For further information, find Donna on Instagram and follow her on X/Twitter @Donna_ashworth.