It is a real pleasure to be taking part in the celebrations for the publication of Catharine Alliott's Behind Closed Doors. Penguin Michael Joseph published it on March 4th and there has been great praise for it already:
‘Her writing is both intelligent and sparkling’ - Marian Keyes
‘A huge treat. Hilarious yet poignant’
- Sophie Kinsella
'Compulsively readable’ - The Times
‘Warm, witty and wise’ Daily Mail
‘Hilarious and full of surprises’ - Daily Telegraph
‘Classy,
wonderfully gossipy and breathless’ - Red
‘An addictive cocktail of wit,
frivolity and madcap romance’ - Time Out
When Lucy is unexpectedly widowed, she doesn't know where to
turn.
She seeks refuge with her elderly parents in Oxfordshire, hoping for an
escape from past memories - and from her
overbearing sister-in-law.
But she gets much more than she bargained for when
she returns home. Her parents' bungalow is falling apart, and their
surprisingly busy social life throws her in the path of an old childhood friend
she hasn't seen for decades.
Yet as Lucy begins to move on, others start to ask
questions.
Is she running away from her grief? Or did she leave something far
worse behind . . .
Witty, poignant, at times heartwrenching, and drenched in
Catherine’s characteristic warmth and humour, this is Michael Joseph’s lead
Mother’s Day title – a story about love, loss, family, and above all, second
chances.
My Thoughts
Reading this book feels as though you are slowly unpicking a tapestry of a family and exposing the complex family dynamics which are being laid bare. It took me some time to decide whether I was going to take Lucy's version of events at face value or not and you soon understand that many are hiding aspects of their characters and their past. Family is absolutely central and there are several examples of co-dependent relationships. Some are extremely manipulative and others have gone along with a version of the truth to preserve appearances or to protect feelings.
Despite some rather menacing themes, there are plenty of lighter episodes. Dealing with aging parents and the inevitable role reversal between parents and grown- up children offers rich pickings and there are lots of warm and witty moments. I also enjoyed Lucy's ability to analyse her own behaviour. It is as if she takes a step back and becomes an onlooker to herself. You don't however ever dislike her for this hyper self-awareness. In some ways it is a puzzle how she has allowed Michael to send her to the dark places he does. Her writing becomes her safety valve and at times, her revenge.
In short: Clever writing, full of dark and shade
About the Author
Catherine Alliott is the author of fifteen bestselling novels
including About Last Night, My Husband Next Door, A Rural Affair, One Day in
May, The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton, and Wish You Were Here. She lives with
her family in Hertfordshire
You can read my review of A Cornish Summer here.
Thanks to Catherine Alliott and Sriya Varadharajan of Michael Joseph for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Follow the rest of the tour!
Comments
Post a Comment