Save Me from the Waves

An Adventure from Sea to Summit

By: Jessica Hepburn

Narrated by: Jessica Hepburn

Includes BBC RADIO 4 DESERT ISLAND DISCS clips by Maya Angelou, Emma Thompson, Edmund Hillary and many more

'A breathtaking adventure of a truly inspirational woman' – Maxine Peake

An adventure story – with a difference. From sea to summit. Fully soundtracked.

Jessica Hepburn is an unlikely athlete – she was labelled the ‘arty’ not the ‘sporty’ one in school. She hates exercise and believes the only reason to do it is for food, booze and box-sets on the sofa.

However, in her forties, following a succession of hard and sad life experiences she started to try and exercise her way out of heartbreak. She has now become one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance athletes. The first and only woman (currently) on the planet to have completed the ‘Sea, Street, Summit Challenge’ – which is to swim the English Channel, run the London Marathon and climb Mount Everest (which she calls Chomolungma – the mountain’s original Sherpa name). And possibly the only woman (although this can’t be officially certified) to have listened to eighty years and over 3,000 episodes of her favourite radio programme – Desert Island Discs.

Save Me from the Waves is an inspirational story of physical and mental endurance which starts on the streets of London and culminates on top of the world, fuelled by song. It explores the redemptive power of music and mountains. How family and friends can be lost and found in the most unusual places. And encourages everyone to live big and bravely when life doesn’t go to plan. Because sometimes we all need saving from the waves. And whether it’s high and far away or closer to home and in your head, an adventure will always change your life for the better.

Features the voices of Marlene Dietrich, Emma Thompson, Maya Angelou, Rob Brydon, Stephen King, Tim Robbins…. and many more from Desert Island Discs.

Features audio clips from Desert Island Discs castaways, including:

Jimmy Carr
Clive James
Kelly Holmes
Paul Weller
Kay Mellor
Peter Bull
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Emma Thompson
James Blades
Alan Plater
Alfred Wainwright
Jo Brand
Rob Brydon
Gillian Clarke
Lemn Sissay
Tim Minchin
Anne-Marie Duff
Christina Dodwell
Marlene Dietrich
Liz Lochhead
Jilly Cooper
Bill Morris
Tim Robbins
Robert Macfarlane
Sue Townsend
Jill Balcon
Stephen King
Alice Walker
Kelsey Grammer
Mervyn King
Betty Driver
Wangari Maathai
Edna Adan Ismail
Ali Smith
Stella McCartney
Penelope Wilton
Simon Reeve
Alicia Markova
Edmund Hillary
Winnie Byanyima
Dave Brubeck
Alan Titchmarsh
Isabella Tree
David Nott
Richard Doll
Ruth Westheimer
Ruth Jones
Marisa Robles
Winston Graham
David Mitchell
Ruthie Henshall
Sonita Alleyne
Louis Armstrong
Conrad Anker
Akram Khan
A. H. Halsey
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi
Helen Fielding
Rose Hudson-Wilkin
Nick Webbon
Sheryl Sandberg
Joe Simpson
Maya Angelou

©2024 Jessica Hepburn (P)2024 Aurum

Critic reviews

‘The moment you open this book you’ll feel like you’ve made a new friend. It’s such a delicious adventure and Jessica’s warm voice will immediately make you feel less alone–whatever journey you’re on.’ Lisa Faulkner, Actress, Presenter, Author of Meant to Be

‘An amazing, touching, at times deeply moving adventure about mountains and music and love. I loved it.’ Ann Daniels, Record Breaking Polar Explorer & Desert Island Disc Castaway

'If you have ever found yourself in a rut listening to endless podcasts like Desert Island Discs, this book is for you.' Emma Gannon, Sunday Times Bestselling Author

Unusual but excellent

Very thought provoking. I wished the author played the music as she spoke about it. Lovely story