Written over the course of 25 years, The Invitation to the Garden is a spiritual journey described in verse and prose. The books tells of Joanna's struggle to make sense of her faith while suffering from recurring anorexia and severe depression. This heartfelt story of self-development begins in the 'jungle of life' and leads to the garden of the title as readers follow Joanna's passage from fear and darkness into light and love.
The book is set out in a series of paradoxes, each of which offers readers an insight into Joanna's learning experiences. As the story continues, readers witness how Joanna begins to understand her suffering, daring to trust and finally coming to terms with her illness. The book is narrated mainly in verse, with prose flashbacks to childhood interspersed throughout. Joanna's own watercolours on the covers illustrate each section of the story.
Inspired by the poetry of George Herbert, John Bunyan and T. S. Eliot, The Invitation to the Garden teaches valuable lessons that will apply to a wide variety of readers. The book will be especially interesting to readers who have also suffered with eating disorders, depression, or other mental health problems.