Book #15 I Looked Away

I Looked Away by Jane Corry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A complex story, a parable for our time built around dissociative PTSD, a dissociative fugue that affects Ellie with devastating consequences. Married to a philandering husband, Ellie devotes her time looking after her grandson, Josh. Until that fateful moment when Ellie was distracted....

What follows is a beautifully composed tale of how tragic events can impact on mental well-being. What happens to Ellie? Who is Jo? The two characters around who the plot is built. At times it's exasperating, time lines blurred. What happened when? At times I Looked Away is not an easy read but it deserves our attention as Jane Corry has exposed much of the brutality of homelessness and the despair that most often results. Many people end up on the streets because of mental health issues and Jane highlights how easily people can become homeless.

I would urge anyone who is concerned about homelessness and PTSD to read this hard-hitting story. My thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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Book #36 After The Party

After the Party by Cressida Connolly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Drawn like a moth to a flame to this intriguing story. A family saga amongst the County Set in Sussex, between the Great Wars. And a piece of political history that I had scant knowledge of, even at my age. Seemingly sensible folk beguiled by the British Alliance, an overt group of fascists.

Phyllis and her husband Hugh return to England after living for several years in Belgium. They stay with sister Patricia in her palladian mansion for a while until sister Nina finds them a place to rent, whilst Hugh searches for a piece of land to build a new property.

It’s 1938. Nina runs summer camps, a cloak for Alliance meetings, and Phyllis with her idealism is captivated by the charismatic Master - Oswald Mosley, who preaches appeasement before war. Women of principle are attracted to the movement, little understanding how they will be ostracised when war does inevitably break out.

One event, at a party will change Phyllis’ life for ever as she recounts in a personal record following her lengthy incarceration. The reason for her time in prison becomes clear as her personal account unwinds.

Difficult to say more without revealing too much. I can say that I became totally immersed in After The Party. It’s different and beautifully written, almost hypnotic. A piece of social and political history that benefits from the revelations in this remarkable book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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Book #35 The Liar's Room

Will be published on 9th August 2018 A cracking, psychological thriller from fellow Brightonian, Simon Lelic. A very clever plot. The writer holds the reader spellbound with a riveting plot that revolves around just three main characters. That takes great skill. Susanna, Adam and Emily, Susanna's daughter. Add Jake to the mix, Susanna's long dead son and you have a complex storyline with plenty of shocks in store. Susanna is a counsellor and thinks she has escaped a dark past. Horrendous events that involved her son Jake. But has she? Does her previous life remain concealed? Adam Geraghty has made an appointment to see Susanna. Who is he? Does Susanna know him? There is something about him.... Does Adam know Susanna? Does he have a dark motive for their meeting? A meeting that takes place in Susanna's office. A meeting full of menace as disturbing facts are revealed. There are chapters where I found myself unable to turn pages quickly enough, breathless... The Liar's Room is a compelling read, with a final momentous twist. Highly recommended. My thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Books and Simon Lelic for the opportunity to read this ARC.