The Rainbow’s End
A Hastings resident is celebrating a lifelong ambition coming true just in time for her 95th birthday.
Jean Bridget Marris once told her family that one of her greatest ambitions was to publish a book. Years later, that wish has become a reality thanks to the determination of her family and a little help from modern technology.
Jean wrote the story many years ago for her granddaughter, Jessica, when she was just a small child. “It was when Jessica was little,” Jean recalled. “And she’s 34 now.” The pleasure she found in writing was what first inspired her. “I’ve always enjoyed writing,” she said, although she had never previously had a book published.
When one of Jean’s daughters rediscovered the handwritten manuscript, she decided to make her mother’s long-held ambition come true. The story was typed up, but attempts to find an illustrator proved unsuccessful. That was when the family turned to AI to create the illustrations. Jessica, now grown up, then took the final step of arranging for the book to be printed and published via Amazon.
The book, The Rainbow’s End, tells the story of young Jessica and her cat Mitzi setting off on a magical adventure after a storm clears and a rainbow appears over Grandma’s garden. As they follow the rainbow, Jessica learns that the greatest treasures are not always what we expect. Full of wonder, curiosity and heart, the story celebrates family, discovery and the joy of seeing the world through a child’s eyes, brought to life through gentle storytelling and beautifully illustrated scenes.
Despite the significance of the achievement, Jean remains characteristically modest. Asked how it feels to see her book in print at last, she simply said she felt “satisfied”. She admits she is “apprehensive” ahead of her upcoming book-signing event and laughs off any suggestion of pride. “It’s easy to write a book,” she said. “It’s the practical side that’s difficult – the illustrating and getting it printed.”
Jean deliberately chose to tell a children’s story. “It’s simpler,” she explained. The characters are drawn from real life: Jessica herself, and Mitzi, her long-haired, fluffy cat. “I wrote about them because I knew them,” Jean said.
Jean celebrated her 95th birthday on January 7 and will host a book- signing event at Hastings Court Care Home at 314 The Ridge, TN34 2RA at 3pm on 25 January. Everyone is welcome to attend – but please let the care home know at [email protected] so they can make sure there will be enough space. The personalised signed copy will be offered at a special reduced price of £5.
For those unable to make it, The Rainbow’s End is available on Amazon: amzn.eu/d/ftoI1p2
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