AN AUTHOR from Launceston has received critical acclaim for her harrowing novel, Without Borders.

Susanne Burge, who lives in Launceston, is a GP at a small holistic practice in Saltash, whilst working one morning a week in the radiotherapy department at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

However, she has also put her writing ability to the test, having produced an already popular novel, which illustrates the horrors of the conflict in Syria with a romantic element added to the mix.

Speaking of her time in Launceston, Susanne told the Post: “We moved from Gunnislake to Launceston 14 years ago, pregnant with our second son. Both of them went to school here — at what was then Windmill Hill CPE School — and both were the first ever pupils there to pass the 11+.

“They study now at Devonport High School for boys in Plymouth — a long commute, but we all value the benefits of living in this lively and lovely market town, which holds so many memories for us, as well as friends.”

Without Borders illustrates how a young doctor, Ana, journeys into war-torn Syria to rescue two small boys from Old Homs, whilst meeting the courageous Caleb, who, wanting to get Ana out of the clutches of ISIS and other dangers, agrees to help her find the children.

Phillipa Donovan, editor, said: “This is an extraordinary story of human courage and love. Delicate yet forceful; traumatic yet redemptive; moving and informative, but not didactic. It would sit alongside commercial fiction such as The Kite Runner and Half of a Yellow Sun.”

On her novel, Susanne said: “I never intended to write a story set in Syria. The catastrophe engulfing that country is too upsetting to contemplate and writing about it would have to do justice somehow, to those people it sought to represent.”

However, after seeing some striking news from the conflict that affected Susanne on a personal level, the Launceston author was determined to create something that would raise awareness of the situation.

She continued: “But then, in January 2013, two news items hit the headlines that I could not ignore. The fate of Dr Abbas Khan was particularly shocking and struck a personal chord. He was a British hand surgeon, married with young children, whose punishment for going back to help his people in Syria was imprisonment and death by torture and starvation.

“As a doctor, I too have considered offering my services in places where it is most needed. The fate of Dr Khan could have been mine if I had had the courage to act on my convictions as he did.

“Not long after this, we were presented with evidence that Assad’s machine had systematically murdered thousands of his citizens in the same way and I have to remind myself with shame, that President Assad is also a qualified doctor.”

She added: “Without Borders is inspired by heroes who rise above depravity, demonstrating the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and the redeeming power of love. It is based on the testaments of survivors. As Karen Blixon once said, ‘all sorrows can be borne if you put them into a story or tell a story about them’.”

Speaking more about her time in Launceston, Susanne told the Post: “I love living in Launceston, and exploring the beautiful country and seaside that is so accessible from here — moors, woodland trails, lush country lanes, riverside walks, and, of course, our incomparable coastline — just gorgeous!

“This has always inspired my writing. In the very first chapter of Without Borders, Ana thinks wistfully back to early morning walks with her dogs, Ebb and Flow. I wrote that on returning from walking our dog down to Treniffle, Lewcoombe, Carzantic and the Gordonhill Plantation. Also, when Ana and Caleb are heading back to Za’atari near the end of the book, she described her Cornish cottage, a mixture of what I see here and the cottage we had before that, in Gunnislake.”

In a previous book, her protagonists walk along the beach at Sandymouth, and her upcoming book,

For Children and Happy, as requested by her 14-year-old, will be set in Cornwall — probably, even, Launceston. Susanne added: “Our town has so much history and the amazing castle — perfect for a mystery!”

One of Susanne’s favourite things about Launceston is the busy atmosphere. She continued: “I love the buzz Launceston has on a weekend — the Saturday market, its picturesque lanes with quirky, independent shops, fabulous local fresh food outlets, relaxing cafes and great places to eat. I love that it has everything you could wish for, including a literary festival, art and the best of live music.

“We’ve been taking our boys to listen to that at No 8, since they were small, and now they’re bringing their friends and girlfriends. I love that they’ve been able to explore their home town and meet their friends independently, from a young age, in a way we would never have allowed in a big city.

“All of this, along with the community spirit, inspires my writing about the Syrian people. They are resilient, resourceful, interested and compassionate — just like the residents of Launceston. They had jobs, livelihoods, families, homes, hopes and aspirations, just like we do. Their loss and bravery in the face of extreme adversity is brought into sharp relief for me, against the backdrop of the relative security we enjoy as a community in Launceston, and I wonder sometimes, how it would be for us if ever we had to cope with circumstances, such as they do.”

Local organisations, such as Launceston Refugee Support Group and Bude Refugee Support Group, have been working to welcome Syrian refugee families to their towns. Bude has recently taken in a family, and are working towards applying to take in another, whilst Launceston is still on its way to welcoming a refugee family.

Susanne added: “Though I have yet to find the time to get involved, it makes me proud that local groups are working to support and help the refugees. Without Borders is my way of doing the same, by raising awareness and money.”