What do you think?
Rate this book
Putting Alice Back Together
Alice is totally happy, everything is amazing and there is nothing at all to worry about - except, well, she has a secret. A secret so big she can't tell anyone.
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Carol Marinelli
1,410 books450 followersCarol Marinelli was born in England to Scottish parents, then emigrated to Australia, where there are loads of Scottish and English people who did exactly the same, so she’s very at home there.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
March 18, 2012
Putting Alice back together is more a book about Alice falling apart. It’s a harrowing story of ‘Little Alice’ intermingled with present day Alice; the narrative flicks back and forth as it allows the reader to discover piece by piece how Alice has come to be the woman she is today. And let’s face it, Alice is a mess…
Alice has to hit rock bottom in order to start putting herself back together. It isn’t just the secret from her childhood causing her to plummet; she’s also in love with her gay best friend, in a huge amount of debt and stuck in a job which is far from her ideal.
I very much enjoyed this book, discovering Alice as a person (flaws and all). We’ve all made mistakes (perhaps not all of us on the scale of Alice), but this book is really about self-discovery, coming to terms with the person you are and learning to love yourself again, before allowing someone else to do so.
This book is packed with friendship (some good friends and some not so good friends) and honest family relationships. Alice was warm and witty, despite everything, and I love how she’d type out emails being frank but hit delete and retype an edited version before sending. We’ve definitely all done that….!
There is also just the right amount of romance in this book; not too much that it becomes romantic chick lit but just enough to be real and warming against the heart-breaking background.
All in all, I very much enjoyed Carol Marinelli’s Putting Alice back together and certainly will be keeping an eye out for her future books!
Alice has to hit rock bottom in order to start putting herself back together. It isn’t just the secret from her childhood causing her to plummet; she’s also in love with her gay best friend, in a huge amount of debt and stuck in a job which is far from her ideal.
I very much enjoyed this book, discovering Alice as a person (flaws and all). We’ve all made mistakes (perhaps not all of us on the scale of Alice), but this book is really about self-discovery, coming to terms with the person you are and learning to love yourself again, before allowing someone else to do so.
This book is packed with friendship (some good friends and some not so good friends) and honest family relationships. Alice was warm and witty, despite everything, and I love how she’d type out emails being frank but hit delete and retype an edited version before sending. We’ve definitely all done that….!
There is also just the right amount of romance in this book; not too much that it becomes romantic chick lit but just enough to be real and warming against the heart-breaking background.
All in all, I very much enjoyed Carol Marinelli’s Putting Alice back together and certainly will be keeping an eye out for her future books!
September 9, 2018
Alice hates her curly ginger hair. As a child she was teased and it made her stand out. As an adult, she has learned to straighten and colour it. She is now fanatical about her hair routine. It is a metaphor for the one thing in her life that she can control; the one thing she has been able to change.
The rest of her life is not so easy, and it is slowly coming apart. This story is about Alice’s slow descent into a nervous breakdown. It’s sad, it’s amusing and it’s all too real. Alice has to learn to love herself, and her hair, before she can love someone else and let them love her.
This is NOT a harlequin romance.
Chick Lit - 4-stars
Love story - 3-stars.
The rest of her life is not so easy, and it is slowly coming apart. This story is about Alice’s slow descent into a nervous breakdown. It’s sad, it’s amusing and it’s all too real. Alice has to learn to love herself, and her hair, before she can love someone else and let them love her.
This is NOT a harlequin romance.
Chick Lit - 4-stars
Love story - 3-stars.
November 19, 2015
Non so se è capitato anche a voi, ma ci sono dei romanzi che ti conquistano ancor prima di essere letti. E con Alice è stato così: amore a prima vista. Sono stata innanzitutto stregata dalla copertina, nonostante sia molto semplice la trovo d'impatto. E comunque sentivo che mi sarei imbattuta in qualcosa di speciale.
Un romanzo unico e indimenticabile, profondo e commovente, che fa riflettere su come a volte, nella vita, certi avvenimenti siano la causa scatenante di tutto. Di come certi momenti, anche i più impensabili, ci plasmino e ci rendano ciò che siamo.
Alice è una ragazza di 30 anni con più problemi di quanti ne vorrebbe... il suo difetto più grande è quello di esserci sempre, per gli altri, ma MAI per se stessa. Il prendere sottogamba alcuni eventi e il non averli condivisi con nessuno ha reso la sua vita pressoché invivibile. Ha però trovato un modo per affrontare la quotidianità: imbottirsi di antidepressivi mescolati ad una buona dose di alcol. La peggiore delle soluzioni, insomma.
L'alternanza tra passato e presente ci consente di capire, molto lentamente, cosa sia successo di così grave a questa giovane ragazza per farle credere che non esista via d'uscita, se non con l'utilizzo dei farmaci. Ci rendiamo conto, pian piano, che un avvenimento terribile ha sconvolto totalmente la sua vita, ed è stata proprio quella la goccia che ha fatto traboccare un vaso già pieno di delusioni e sconforto.
Alice, punto e a capo è un romanzo che parla di rinascita. Un romanzo che ci insegna che spesso le apparenze ingannano, e che la vita è sempre pronta a prendere una piega diversa da quella che ci aspettavamo. La vita è sempre pronta a regalarci nuovi momenti, fatti proprio per affrontare quelli più oscuri e nascosti, quelli che ci rifiutiamo di riportare a galla per paura di riviverli.
Con l'aiuto dell'amicizia, dell'amore e di un forte supporto psicologico impersonato da una donna molto "cromatica", Alice riuscirà a scavare nel profondo della sua anima e a riportare in superficie quel che a tutti i costi aveva voluto rimuovere, quello che si rifiutava di condividere con gli altri. Un tragico momento della sua vita che ha determinato molte delle sue scelte e di cui non si è mai liberata. Un segreto troppo grande da custodire, che le ha impedito di realizzare i suoi sogni, e che ha contribuito a creare la sua vita presente, fatta solo di apparenza.
Questo è un romanzo davvero speciale che deve essere letto, gustato e capito. Perché parla di tematiche davvero molto importanti. In primis, il valore della famiglia. Ci fa comprendere quanto possa essere difficile per una bambina dover affrontare la separazione dei genitori, e le conseguenze che questo può causare a livello psicologico. In secondo luogo, ci fa vivere in prima persona la maternità, sotto tutti i punti di vista. Chi è già una mamma si commuoverà ed emozionerà, chi non lo è ancora lo desidererà ancora di più, nonostante tutto. Preparatevi, perché qualche lacrima la verserete. Ma non fatevi condizionare, perché questa è la vita e purtroppo certe cose possono succedere. Anzi, succedono ogni giorno. E, ultima cosa, è un romanzo che parla d'amore. Di ogni genere. Amore tra donne, tra uomini, tra uomini e donne, amore fraterno, amore tra amiche, amore tra madre e figlia, amore tra medico e paziente... semplicemente AMORE, in ogni momento della vita. Quel sentimento che ci consente di affrontare ogni cosa, presente in ogni pagina.
Insomma, che altro posso dire? Mi è piaciuto. Si, tantissimo. L'ho letto alla velocità della luce in un periodo in cui ogni cosa che inizio mi sembra noiosa e non mi conquista come vorrei. E invece... Alice era lì, che mi aspettava, e ora sta aspettando anche voi. Non fatela attendere troppo, non se lo merita!
Un romanzo unico e indimenticabile, profondo e commovente, che fa riflettere su come a volte, nella vita, certi avvenimenti siano la causa scatenante di tutto. Di come certi momenti, anche i più impensabili, ci plasmino e ci rendano ciò che siamo.
Alice è una ragazza di 30 anni con più problemi di quanti ne vorrebbe... il suo difetto più grande è quello di esserci sempre, per gli altri, ma MAI per se stessa. Il prendere sottogamba alcuni eventi e il non averli condivisi con nessuno ha reso la sua vita pressoché invivibile. Ha però trovato un modo per affrontare la quotidianità: imbottirsi di antidepressivi mescolati ad una buona dose di alcol. La peggiore delle soluzioni, insomma.
L'alternanza tra passato e presente ci consente di capire, molto lentamente, cosa sia successo di così grave a questa giovane ragazza per farle credere che non esista via d'uscita, se non con l'utilizzo dei farmaci. Ci rendiamo conto, pian piano, che un avvenimento terribile ha sconvolto totalmente la sua vita, ed è stata proprio quella la goccia che ha fatto traboccare un vaso già pieno di delusioni e sconforto.
Alice, punto e a capo è un romanzo che parla di rinascita. Un romanzo che ci insegna che spesso le apparenze ingannano, e che la vita è sempre pronta a prendere una piega diversa da quella che ci aspettavamo. La vita è sempre pronta a regalarci nuovi momenti, fatti proprio per affrontare quelli più oscuri e nascosti, quelli che ci rifiutiamo di riportare a galla per paura di riviverli.
Con l'aiuto dell'amicizia, dell'amore e di un forte supporto psicologico impersonato da una donna molto "cromatica", Alice riuscirà a scavare nel profondo della sua anima e a riportare in superficie quel che a tutti i costi aveva voluto rimuovere, quello che si rifiutava di condividere con gli altri. Un tragico momento della sua vita che ha determinato molte delle sue scelte e di cui non si è mai liberata. Un segreto troppo grande da custodire, che le ha impedito di realizzare i suoi sogni, e che ha contribuito a creare la sua vita presente, fatta solo di apparenza.
Questo è un romanzo davvero speciale che deve essere letto, gustato e capito. Perché parla di tematiche davvero molto importanti. In primis, il valore della famiglia. Ci fa comprendere quanto possa essere difficile per una bambina dover affrontare la separazione dei genitori, e le conseguenze che questo può causare a livello psicologico. In secondo luogo, ci fa vivere in prima persona la maternità, sotto tutti i punti di vista. Chi è già una mamma si commuoverà ed emozionerà, chi non lo è ancora lo desidererà ancora di più, nonostante tutto. Preparatevi, perché qualche lacrima la verserete. Ma non fatevi condizionare, perché questa è la vita e purtroppo certe cose possono succedere. Anzi, succedono ogni giorno. E, ultima cosa, è un romanzo che parla d'amore. Di ogni genere. Amore tra donne, tra uomini, tra uomini e donne, amore fraterno, amore tra amiche, amore tra madre e figlia, amore tra medico e paziente... semplicemente AMORE, in ogni momento della vita. Quel sentimento che ci consente di affrontare ogni cosa, presente in ogni pagina.
Insomma, che altro posso dire? Mi è piaciuto. Si, tantissimo. L'ho letto alla velocità della luce in un periodo in cui ogni cosa che inizio mi sembra noiosa e non mi conquista come vorrei. E invece... Alice era lì, che mi aspettava, e ora sta aspettando anche voi. Non fatela attendere troppo, non se lo merita!
December 10, 2017
La recensione è qui: http://lamenteaffilata.blogspot.com/2...
March 2, 2012
I really loved this book. I was definitely not expecting to fall in love with this book as much as I did and I am so glad I received it for review otherwise I may never have read it.
Alice puts on the front that her life is perfect. To everyone else she's happily single and loving life. Little do they know that she's addicted to Valium and alcohol and she's just trying to paper over the cracks. Because the truth is, her life is falling apart. Something happened 10 years ago, something that nobody else knows and she can't tell anyone. How can she keep this secret when keeping it in destroying her life, and maybe destroying her relationship with the only man she truly loved.
I was completely hooked to this book right from the first chapter. I am a huge fan of Chic-Lit Romance books which is what this is but never have I become so glued from the start like I was with this one. Okay maybe I was with PS, I Love You and Lucy in the Sky but that's not the point. I really loved this book from the start and I could not stop reading. From the start you know that Alice has this secret but you don't know what it is. Well I suppose it's the nosy side of me but I couldn't stop reading, I was like SECRET? WHAT IS IT?!?! I really needed to keep reading to find out what had happened for Alice to get to this place in her life.
I think Carol's writing was brilliant and she is fantastic at holding the readers attention and keeping them in suspense. I really loved the use of flashbacks in the books so that you found out what had happened to Alice in a way that you went through it with her and I found that through the flashbacks you really got to connect with Alice's character more and I loved that.
Alice is such a great character, I really loved her and felt for her so much throughout the book. All these terrible things have happened to her and you really understand why she is where she is and why her mental health has deteriorated to this point. Through Carol's amazing writing technique you really sympathise with Alice and most of the way through I just wanted to give her a hug.
I really loved Alice's friends, Nicole really annoyed me a lot through the book how she knew there was stuff going on with Alice and yet she just left and didn't come back. I loved Ros and Dan and thought I want them as friends because they are the best friends you could ever imagine and I loved how no matter what bad things were going on with Alice they never gave up on her. It didn't matter when they found out her secrets they were still there for her.
Hugh, oh Hugh. I love him. I just fell in love with him from the moment we met him and he is just the sweetest guy ever. He's the guy that every girl dreams of finding one day because he was just perfect. Every scene he was in I loved and I went all girly going *sigh*. I loved him and I was sad at one point with where the story was going but by the end I was completely in love with him again.
I thought this book was fantastic and to me the ending was perfect. Although I didn't like where the story was heading at some parts I understood why it had to happen so Alice could help herself and I think the storyline was just brilliant. It's a really great story and I would recommend it to any fan of books by Cecelia Ahern, Paige Toon and Marian Keyes.
I absolutely loved it and I know I could just read it over and over again.
Alice puts on the front that her life is perfect. To everyone else she's happily single and loving life. Little do they know that she's addicted to Valium and alcohol and she's just trying to paper over the cracks. Because the truth is, her life is falling apart. Something happened 10 years ago, something that nobody else knows and she can't tell anyone. How can she keep this secret when keeping it in destroying her life, and maybe destroying her relationship with the only man she truly loved.
I was completely hooked to this book right from the first chapter. I am a huge fan of Chic-Lit Romance books which is what this is but never have I become so glued from the start like I was with this one. Okay maybe I was with PS, I Love You and Lucy in the Sky but that's not the point. I really loved this book from the start and I could not stop reading. From the start you know that Alice has this secret but you don't know what it is. Well I suppose it's the nosy side of me but I couldn't stop reading, I was like SECRET? WHAT IS IT?!?! I really needed to keep reading to find out what had happened for Alice to get to this place in her life.
I think Carol's writing was brilliant and she is fantastic at holding the readers attention and keeping them in suspense. I really loved the use of flashbacks in the books so that you found out what had happened to Alice in a way that you went through it with her and I found that through the flashbacks you really got to connect with Alice's character more and I loved that.
Alice is such a great character, I really loved her and felt for her so much throughout the book. All these terrible things have happened to her and you really understand why she is where she is and why her mental health has deteriorated to this point. Through Carol's amazing writing technique you really sympathise with Alice and most of the way through I just wanted to give her a hug.
I really loved Alice's friends, Nicole really annoyed me a lot through the book how she knew there was stuff going on with Alice and yet she just left and didn't come back. I loved Ros and Dan and thought I want them as friends because they are the best friends you could ever imagine and I loved how no matter what bad things were going on with Alice they never gave up on her. It didn't matter when they found out her secrets they were still there for her.
Hugh, oh Hugh. I love him. I just fell in love with him from the moment we met him and he is just the sweetest guy ever. He's the guy that every girl dreams of finding one day because he was just perfect. Every scene he was in I loved and I went all girly going *sigh*. I loved him and I was sad at one point with where the story was going but by the end I was completely in love with him again.
I thought this book was fantastic and to me the ending was perfect. Although I didn't like where the story was heading at some parts I understood why it had to happen so Alice could help herself and I think the storyline was just brilliant. It's a really great story and I would recommend it to any fan of books by Cecelia Ahern, Paige Toon and Marian Keyes.
I absolutely loved it and I know I could just read it over and over again.
March 20, 2012
Putting Alice Together Again is Carol Marinelli's first contemporary womens fiction title after publishing more than a dozen traditional romance titles with Harlequin. While there is a small thread of romance in this novel, Putting Alice Together Again is something very different altogether. Alice is certain that no one can guess at the secrets she hides, a bright smile and sleek hair style helps her pretend everything is okay, yet cracks are beginning to appear in Alice's brittle veneer. Her buried memories of the past are pushing their way to the surface and Alice is plagued by anxiety attacks, self medicating with alcohol and Valium and sabotaging her career and relationships. With her life rapidly spiraling out of control, Alice is coming apart and she is not sure she will ever be able to pick up the pieces.
What first strikes you about Alice in the opening chapters of the novel is her repressed anger, shame and bitterness. Seething at the casual remarks of her friend and lover in reaction to a news item, bitter at being required to rescue Nicole's birthday party, ashamed of a brief sexual encounter in the restaurant bathroom with a man she barely knows, she is warped by thinly veiled contempt aimed at both herself and everyone around her. Despite such a an inauspicious introduction, as Alice's story unfolded I found her an intriguing character for not only her many flaws but also the glimmer of vulnerability and pain that Marinelli reveals by alternating between Alice's past and her present. Alice is the central figure so its essential the reader finds some sort of rapport with her. It's not always easy though, she tends to wallow in self pity and is quite self centered. I'm not sure I ever really liked her much but as the link between Alice's painful history and her current issues becomes more apparent, Alice slowly earned my sympathy and understanding.
Given that Alice is written in the first person, Marinelli finds a good balance between the internal dialogue of her character and the external interaction with other characters, to use a trite phrase, she shows rather than tells which provides a breather from Alice's intensity.
Alice's secret, when it becomes clear is shocking, despite being foreshadowed, and I admired Marinelli's skill in drawing out the tension to the reveal that coincides with Alice's present day crisis. It is a dark novel, thick with emotion and drama, and can feel a little oppressive. Evan as Alice begins to put her self back together, any optimism is muted.
in Putting Alice Back Together the author explores a number of themes such as post traumatic shock, grief, denial and addiction but perhaps the most uplifting is her examination of friendship. Alice and Ros are friends but each hold back part of them selves stunting their closeness, through the course of the novel they learn the value of trust by revealing their vulnerabilities. The author also explores the importance of this intimate connection in romantic relationships by introducing Hugh who is willing to call Alice out on the things she is trying to hide.
Putting Alice Back Together is not a light read, it is too full of fraught emotion and angst to dismiss easily. It is certainly capable of holding the readers interest though as an intriguing exploration of a very flawed and realistic character.
What first strikes you about Alice in the opening chapters of the novel is her repressed anger, shame and bitterness. Seething at the casual remarks of her friend and lover in reaction to a news item, bitter at being required to rescue Nicole's birthday party, ashamed of a brief sexual encounter in the restaurant bathroom with a man she barely knows, she is warped by thinly veiled contempt aimed at both herself and everyone around her. Despite such a an inauspicious introduction, as Alice's story unfolded I found her an intriguing character for not only her many flaws but also the glimmer of vulnerability and pain that Marinelli reveals by alternating between Alice's past and her present. Alice is the central figure so its essential the reader finds some sort of rapport with her. It's not always easy though, she tends to wallow in self pity and is quite self centered. I'm not sure I ever really liked her much but as the link between Alice's painful history and her current issues becomes more apparent, Alice slowly earned my sympathy and understanding.
Given that Alice is written in the first person, Marinelli finds a good balance between the internal dialogue of her character and the external interaction with other characters, to use a trite phrase, she shows rather than tells which provides a breather from Alice's intensity.
Alice's secret, when it becomes clear is shocking, despite being foreshadowed, and I admired Marinelli's skill in drawing out the tension to the reveal that coincides with Alice's present day crisis. It is a dark novel, thick with emotion and drama, and can feel a little oppressive. Evan as Alice begins to put her self back together, any optimism is muted.
in Putting Alice Back Together the author explores a number of themes such as post traumatic shock, grief, denial and addiction but perhaps the most uplifting is her examination of friendship. Alice and Ros are friends but each hold back part of them selves stunting their closeness, through the course of the novel they learn the value of trust by revealing their vulnerabilities. The author also explores the importance of this intimate connection in romantic relationships by introducing Hugh who is willing to call Alice out on the things she is trying to hide.
Putting Alice Back Together is not a light read, it is too full of fraught emotion and angst to dismiss easily. It is certainly capable of holding the readers interest though as an intriguing exploration of a very flawed and realistic character.
April 19, 2012
Putting Alice Back Together is billed as a novel Jane Fallon fans will love. As I quite like myself a Jane Fallon novel, I was of course intrigued. However, Putting Alice Back Together is nothing like a Jane Fallon novel. Jane Fallon’s novels, to put it bluntly, make sense. Putting Alice Back Together doesn’t make sense. It is one of the most confusing, convoluted books I’ve read in ages. It’s one long rambling mess that goes backwards and forwards from young Alice to modern-day Alice with nothing to discern which Alice we’re meant to be reading about. You know how books that flash forward and backwards and sideways have a handy little sentence at the beginning of the chapters to tell you who you’re reading about? Yeah, Alice doesn’t have that. So instead you have to try and keep both strands of the plot going whilst also remembering which Alice you’re reading about. Yes, they’re essentially the same Alice, but it’s two different stories about Alice with no markers to tell you which one you’re reading about and, boy, does it get mighty confusing. (About as confusing as this paragraph is!)
Alice is also billed as the – ahem – friend you wish you had. Really? I couldn’t be farther from wishing Alice was my friend. Alice has issues, and maybe she has some ground for her issues that are revealed in bits and pieces, but Alice is just not a nice person, period. She spends a large part of the beginning of the novel slagging off someone who is meant to be her best friend, Roz. She’s rude about her. She’s borderline offensive about how Roz acts, dresses, is. Roz does nothing wrong to Alice. Nothing. Yet Alice acts so meanly towards her behind her back. It was cringe-worthy to read, and I just wanted to slap this person who thought she was so much better than everyone else. How dare Alice say she would be embarrassed to go out with Roz? Who does she think she is? The book just doesn’t have anything to make me want to recommend it. I can’t say it has a great plot, I certainly can’t say it has great characters, and it was just one big mess. Alice was a mess, and the book was a mess. Maybe that was Marinelli’s aim, to make the book as messy as Alice is. But I just didn’t get it. I found it confusing, hard to follow.
Alice just didn’t work for me. The plot, characters, writing, the flip-floppy nature of the plot with it going backwards and forwards every chapter or every other chapter made my mind boggle. I couldn’t keep up with all of these different – yet the same – Alice’s. It was almost schizophrenic. The book just wasn’t to my taste. Maybe some people will “get” Alice and her crazy ways. I didn’t and the book was, quite honestly, a waste of my time because I won’t remember it and I could barely keep up whilst reading it anyway. It’s a shame, it’s always nice to try a new author but sometimes it just doesn’t click and I didn’t want to put Alice back together, I didn’t care for her, didn’t care how her life panned out, didn’t care if she could be put back together. Some folks may like it, but I wasn’t one of them.
Alice is also billed as the – ahem – friend you wish you had. Really? I couldn’t be farther from wishing Alice was my friend. Alice has issues, and maybe she has some ground for her issues that are revealed in bits and pieces, but Alice is just not a nice person, period. She spends a large part of the beginning of the novel slagging off someone who is meant to be her best friend, Roz. She’s rude about her. She’s borderline offensive about how Roz acts, dresses, is. Roz does nothing wrong to Alice. Nothing. Yet Alice acts so meanly towards her behind her back. It was cringe-worthy to read, and I just wanted to slap this person who thought she was so much better than everyone else. How dare Alice say she would be embarrassed to go out with Roz? Who does she think she is? The book just doesn’t have anything to make me want to recommend it. I can’t say it has a great plot, I certainly can’t say it has great characters, and it was just one big mess. Alice was a mess, and the book was a mess. Maybe that was Marinelli’s aim, to make the book as messy as Alice is. But I just didn’t get it. I found it confusing, hard to follow.
Alice just didn’t work for me. The plot, characters, writing, the flip-floppy nature of the plot with it going backwards and forwards every chapter or every other chapter made my mind boggle. I couldn’t keep up with all of these different – yet the same – Alice’s. It was almost schizophrenic. The book just wasn’t to my taste. Maybe some people will “get” Alice and her crazy ways. I didn’t and the book was, quite honestly, a waste of my time because I won’t remember it and I could barely keep up whilst reading it anyway. It’s a shame, it’s always nice to try a new author but sometimes it just doesn’t click and I didn’t want to put Alice back together, I didn’t care for her, didn’t care how her life panned out, didn’t care if she could be put back together. Some folks may like it, but I wasn’t one of them.
July 29, 2015
Romance and Fantasy for Cosmopolitan Girls
Alice vive di apparenze. Alice ha tanti amici, sempre il sorriso sulle labbra, è la regina delle feste, ha sempre la battuta pronta e non sembra mai triste. Ma la verità è un’altra. Alice è triste, la vita con lei è stata difficile, beve, è dipendente dagli antidepressivi, il suo conto è in rosso e il suo lavoro fa schifo.
Leggendo tutto questo ci si chiede... come fa Alice a tenere tutto questo nascosto alle persone che gli stanno accanto? Beh Alice è anche bugiarda. Nessuno sa la verità se non Lei stessa. Neanche Roz, la sua migliore amica, neanche Hugh il suo nuovo coinquilino di cui Lei è follemente innamorata. E poi tutto crolla. Alice crolla.
Viene sommersa da tutte le sue bugie, le sue verità vengono a galla, scopre che le pillole non fanno più effetto, che i suoi segreti non riescono a rimanere nascosti e che forse ha bisogno di una mano... di una gran mano.
Si rivolge a una psicologa, Lisa, forse la soluzione a tutti i suoi problemi. Ma Alice non è pronta, non vuole raccontare del suo passato, del suo folle amore per la musica e il pianoforte, di come si sente quando sfiora tutti quei tasti con gioia e armonia, di come la sua passione piano piano l’ha distrutta. Lei non voleva, d’altronde aveva solo diciassette anni, e chi lo sapeva che poteva andare a finire così? Una stupida cotta adolescenziale le ha rovinato la vita.
Eppure Alice è riuscita a non dire niente, in silenzio ha fatto andare avanti la sua vita. Dall’Inghilterra è finita in Australia, ha lasciato la sua famiglia, la sua musica e i suoi brutti ricordi. Eppure il passato bussa sempre alla tua porta e questo Lei però non lo sapeva.
E si ritrova così, a trent’anni, in crisi depressiva. Non esce di casa, non mangia, non dorme, non vive più. Ed è grazie a Roz, Dan il suo migliore amico, e alla stessa Lisa che si riscopre. Riscopre che i suoi capelli rossi e riccissimi non sono un problema come Lei credeva, ma che la rendono ancora più splendente.
Basta tinte, basta trattamenti chimici per tenerli liscissimi, deve tornare l’Alice selvaggia e allegra di un tempo. Riscopre che suonare il pianoforte può diventare un lavoro di cui essere fiera, che non è poi così vecchia per iscriversi all’università e inseguire i suoi sogni. Ma soprattutto riscopre che alcuni ricordi, per quanto possano essere dolorosi, se si fanno riemergere ci danno la forza di affrontare la nostra vita, giorno dopo giorno, con uno spirito diverso. Perché è vero, dagli sbagli si impara, ma è grazie agli errori che si diventa grandi.
Alice vive di apparenze. Alice ha tanti amici, sempre il sorriso sulle labbra, è la regina delle feste, ha sempre la battuta pronta e non sembra mai triste. Ma la verità è un’altra. Alice è triste, la vita con lei è stata difficile, beve, è dipendente dagli antidepressivi, il suo conto è in rosso e il suo lavoro fa schifo.
Leggendo tutto questo ci si chiede... come fa Alice a tenere tutto questo nascosto alle persone che gli stanno accanto? Beh Alice è anche bugiarda. Nessuno sa la verità se non Lei stessa. Neanche Roz, la sua migliore amica, neanche Hugh il suo nuovo coinquilino di cui Lei è follemente innamorata. E poi tutto crolla. Alice crolla.
Viene sommersa da tutte le sue bugie, le sue verità vengono a galla, scopre che le pillole non fanno più effetto, che i suoi segreti non riescono a rimanere nascosti e che forse ha bisogno di una mano... di una gran mano.
Si rivolge a una psicologa, Lisa, forse la soluzione a tutti i suoi problemi. Ma Alice non è pronta, non vuole raccontare del suo passato, del suo folle amore per la musica e il pianoforte, di come si sente quando sfiora tutti quei tasti con gioia e armonia, di come la sua passione piano piano l’ha distrutta. Lei non voleva, d’altronde aveva solo diciassette anni, e chi lo sapeva che poteva andare a finire così? Una stupida cotta adolescenziale le ha rovinato la vita.
Eppure Alice è riuscita a non dire niente, in silenzio ha fatto andare avanti la sua vita. Dall’Inghilterra è finita in Australia, ha lasciato la sua famiglia, la sua musica e i suoi brutti ricordi. Eppure il passato bussa sempre alla tua porta e questo Lei però non lo sapeva.
E si ritrova così, a trent’anni, in crisi depressiva. Non esce di casa, non mangia, non dorme, non vive più. Ed è grazie a Roz, Dan il suo migliore amico, e alla stessa Lisa che si riscopre. Riscopre che i suoi capelli rossi e riccissimi non sono un problema come Lei credeva, ma che la rendono ancora più splendente.
Basta tinte, basta trattamenti chimici per tenerli liscissimi, deve tornare l’Alice selvaggia e allegra di un tempo. Riscopre che suonare il pianoforte può diventare un lavoro di cui essere fiera, che non è poi così vecchia per iscriversi all’università e inseguire i suoi sogni. Ma soprattutto riscopre che alcuni ricordi, per quanto possano essere dolorosi, se si fanno riemergere ci danno la forza di affrontare la nostra vita, giorno dopo giorno, con uno spirito diverso. Perché è vero, dagli sbagli si impara, ma è grazie agli errori che si diventa grandi.
January 1, 2016
Sono un po' basita, spiazzata, senza parole.
Ho iniziato la lettura di "Alice, punto e a capo" senza troppe aspettative, il libro tra l'altro è stato un omaggio a sorpresa della CE.
A lettura terminata non posso che complimentarmi con l'autrice, che non conoscevo, ma che mi ha incantata con il suo stile pulito, nel trattare un tema difficile e inserendo al contempo anche tantissimi elementi forti, diversi, importanti.
La storia di Alice è difficile, le apparenze spesso ingannano. A partire dall'aspetto, quello di una ragazza curata, con i capelli sempre perfetti e in piega. Amici fantastici e un lavoro, all'apparenza soddisfacente. La vita di Alice però è costantemente messa a dura prova, per la sua ansia, il suo segreto. Va avanti con antidepressivi, alcool. Ignorando il problema, inconsapevole dell'autodistruzione che comporta un comportamento così.
Alice è adulta, ha 30 anni. Ma sembra essere bloccata ad un eta' che non le appartiene più. Ad un passato mai risolto. Ad un peso che è diventato sempre più pesante negli anni. Piano piano, tra capitoli che alternano il passato con il presente, il lettore viene finalmente a conoscenza della protagonista enigmatica, problematica. Scoprendo una verità dura, spiazzante, ma che potrebbe essere successa nella vita reale. A qualcuno.
Ho apprezzato moltissimo la scelta dell'autrice di inserire non solo elementi diversi, ma anche tipologie di amore diverso. Quello tra una donna e un uomo, un uomo ed un altro uomo, una donna e un'altra donna. Che sia per amore o semplice amicizia. La lealtà, la fiducia. L'esserci sempre gli uni per gli altri: famiglia e amici. Il tema poi della ricrescita, con l'aiuto di una figura professionale.
Una rinascita pienamente riuscita. Un romanzo che consiglio vivamente a chi sta attraversando un periodo buio, a chi ha avuto problemi irrisolti. Per trovare il coraggio di chiudere una porta e riaprirne un'altra, per fare i conti con il proprio passato. Per trovare il coraggio di cambiare, o ritrovare se stessi.
Ho iniziato la lettura di "Alice, punto e a capo" senza troppe aspettative, il libro tra l'altro è stato un omaggio a sorpresa della CE.
A lettura terminata non posso che complimentarmi con l'autrice, che non conoscevo, ma che mi ha incantata con il suo stile pulito, nel trattare un tema difficile e inserendo al contempo anche tantissimi elementi forti, diversi, importanti.
La storia di Alice è difficile, le apparenze spesso ingannano. A partire dall'aspetto, quello di una ragazza curata, con i capelli sempre perfetti e in piega. Amici fantastici e un lavoro, all'apparenza soddisfacente. La vita di Alice però è costantemente messa a dura prova, per la sua ansia, il suo segreto. Va avanti con antidepressivi, alcool. Ignorando il problema, inconsapevole dell'autodistruzione che comporta un comportamento così.
Alice è adulta, ha 30 anni. Ma sembra essere bloccata ad un eta' che non le appartiene più. Ad un passato mai risolto. Ad un peso che è diventato sempre più pesante negli anni. Piano piano, tra capitoli che alternano il passato con il presente, il lettore viene finalmente a conoscenza della protagonista enigmatica, problematica. Scoprendo una verità dura, spiazzante, ma che potrebbe essere successa nella vita reale. A qualcuno.
Ho apprezzato moltissimo la scelta dell'autrice di inserire non solo elementi diversi, ma anche tipologie di amore diverso. Quello tra una donna e un uomo, un uomo ed un altro uomo, una donna e un'altra donna. Che sia per amore o semplice amicizia. La lealtà, la fiducia. L'esserci sempre gli uni per gli altri: famiglia e amici. Il tema poi della ricrescita, con l'aiuto di una figura professionale.
Una rinascita pienamente riuscita. Un romanzo che consiglio vivamente a chi sta attraversando un periodo buio, a chi ha avuto problemi irrisolti. Per trovare il coraggio di chiudere una porta e riaprirne un'altra, per fare i conti con il proprio passato. Per trovare il coraggio di cambiare, o ritrovare se stessi.
July 5, 2012
This book had me absolutely gripped and enthralled from the prologue, it sucked me right in and I went on every dip and rise with Alice and at the end I was spat out feeling totally wrung out and weepy! Brilliant!
Alice seems to have a great life, she's the life of every party, she has fun, she doesn't worry about money or her job - everything is cool - on the surface... for Alice has a deep, dark secret that only one other person knows and it's a secret she can never tell.
Alice isn't really the cool and together person she appears, Alice is in a pain that she's been hiding for ten long, sad, lonely years, a pain that she's been covering by spending money she doesn't have and one night stands and by being a friend to everyone else, solving everyone else's problems, but when is someone going to notice that Alice has a problem?
When Alice starts to unravel her whole world does too and we go on this horrific journey with Alice. By jumping back and forward ten years we discover the real Alice and her dark secret. It's a terrible secret that will wrench your heart - I spent a lot of this story actually weeping and feeling sympathy and sorrow for the hundreds of girls this happens to - and you will be really cheering for Alice to get back on her feet.
The characters were brilliant, so well written that you got to know them all even if you don't much like them all. There are scenes that will have you laughing and scenes that will have you crying. A very, very emotional book but so enjoyable and thoughtful. Makes you think about how people act and if they are as they appear; you never know what is going on beneath!
Alice seems to have a great life, she's the life of every party, she has fun, she doesn't worry about money or her job - everything is cool - on the surface... for Alice has a deep, dark secret that only one other person knows and it's a secret she can never tell.
Alice isn't really the cool and together person she appears, Alice is in a pain that she's been hiding for ten long, sad, lonely years, a pain that she's been covering by spending money she doesn't have and one night stands and by being a friend to everyone else, solving everyone else's problems, but when is someone going to notice that Alice has a problem?
When Alice starts to unravel her whole world does too and we go on this horrific journey with Alice. By jumping back and forward ten years we discover the real Alice and her dark secret. It's a terrible secret that will wrench your heart - I spent a lot of this story actually weeping and feeling sympathy and sorrow for the hundreds of girls this happens to - and you will be really cheering for Alice to get back on her feet.
The characters were brilliant, so well written that you got to know them all even if you don't much like them all. There are scenes that will have you laughing and scenes that will have you crying. A very, very emotional book but so enjoyable and thoughtful. Makes you think about how people act and if they are as they appear; you never know what is going on beneath!
March 5, 2012
I was immediately pulled into this book and into Alice's world, the chapters alternate between Alice in the present and Alice when she was younger, both leading up to what her secret was and I was gripped waiting to find out what it was, I stayed up late into the night because I just couldn't put the book down. I cried numerous times, so much so I even had to put the book down to compose myself (and rave to my friends!) for a few minutes, that's not something that happens to me often.
I loved the character of Alice, she's far from perfect, she has her issues and it was really interesting watching her figuring them out, both alone and with the help of a pschologist. The pschological aspect was also really ineteresting.
I could also relate to Alice as a fellow sufferer of anxiety so I admit, sometimes I was crying as much for myself as I was for her.
There were some shocks to the book I couldn't have guessed would happen and I really couldn't didn't know what would be revealed next.
This is a heartbreaking tear jerker that I'd recommend to anyone looking for soemthing to think about.
Favourite quotes
'I could see how it happened.
I knew how it happened.
Because, Once upon a time, it had happened to me.'
'I cried then - real tears this time. Cried so hard I was retching, I cried more than I ever have in my life.
Except once.'
I loved the character of Alice, she's far from perfect, she has her issues and it was really interesting watching her figuring them out, both alone and with the help of a pschologist. The pschological aspect was also really ineteresting.
I could also relate to Alice as a fellow sufferer of anxiety so I admit, sometimes I was crying as much for myself as I was for her.
There were some shocks to the book I couldn't have guessed would happen and I really couldn't didn't know what would be revealed next.
This is a heartbreaking tear jerker that I'd recommend to anyone looking for soemthing to think about.
Favourite quotes
'I could see how it happened.
I knew how it happened.
Because, Once upon a time, it had happened to me.'
'I cried then - real tears this time. Cried so hard I was retching, I cried more than I ever have in my life.
Except once.'
March 22, 2012
I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to read and review this novel for NetGalley on behalf of Harlequin UK (Mira), who kindly provided a pre publication galley.
I expected putting Alice back together to be light hearted chick lit, but instead found a book packed with emotional turmoil, and a life so upset by a past event that it threatens to ruin all future happiness.
Told in alternate chapters we are quickly drawn into the life of present day Alice, who at 27, with all her faults and failings is undeniably challenging. Her life is in constant melt down, and she relies heavily on drink and prescription drugs to help her make it through the day. Interspersed with adult Alice is the story of young Alice, growing up with her mum and her sisters, and who uses her talent for music as her escape from the world around her.
This is a well written and lively story, Alice is an unusual heroine, who isn’t always likeable, and yet the supporting cast of her friends and family combine to make this an intriguing page turner. When I got to the end of the novel I really cared about Alice and hoped that she would be able to move on with her life.
For me, the sign of a good story is when the characters are still in your head several days after finishing the book. Putting Alice back together is one such novel, and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
I expected putting Alice back together to be light hearted chick lit, but instead found a book packed with emotional turmoil, and a life so upset by a past event that it threatens to ruin all future happiness.
Told in alternate chapters we are quickly drawn into the life of present day Alice, who at 27, with all her faults and failings is undeniably challenging. Her life is in constant melt down, and she relies heavily on drink and prescription drugs to help her make it through the day. Interspersed with adult Alice is the story of young Alice, growing up with her mum and her sisters, and who uses her talent for music as her escape from the world around her.
This is a well written and lively story, Alice is an unusual heroine, who isn’t always likeable, and yet the supporting cast of her friends and family combine to make this an intriguing page turner. When I got to the end of the novel I really cared about Alice and hoped that she would be able to move on with her life.
For me, the sign of a good story is when the characters are still in your head several days after finishing the book. Putting Alice back together is one such novel, and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
April 6, 2012
It's a long road back for Alice as she confronts the issues that haunt her family and her past. By page 221, I was crying. At 2am when I should be sleeping and 336 pages later, here I am writing about it. Why? Read more at
http://www.kees2create.com/blog/2012/...
http://www.kees2create.com/blog/2012/...
March 24, 2023
I picked this up secondhand, mainly due to to pretty cover (not the one pictured here). I had a quick look at other books by this author when I first picked it up, and to my horror, she writes Harlequin books that frequently feature pregnancy in the title… not my thing at all. Add to that that the protagonist Alice mentions a pregnancy in the past in the opening chapters, and I didn’t rate my chances of getting through this too highly.
However, I gave it a go…. And surprisingly, I was quite impressed.
The book alternates between younger Alice and current day Alice. I didn’t find it particularly difficult to tell which was which. The context was pretty obvious.
Young Alice feels unattractive and has low self esteem. She hates having curly red hair and, craving approval, she gets into an unfortunate situation which leads to the previously mentioned pregnancy. It takes time to learn the outcome of that.
Current day Alice spends a lot of energy and time on her appearance. She’s now a polished, attractive strawberry blonde. However, her love life is a bit of a disaster, she hates her job and she drinks too much.
There is romance in this, but it’s not a romance novel by a long shot and it’s really a lot heavier than the cover suggests and contains quite a few topics which are either dark or difficult.
I personally really loved reading about Alice and following her journey. Her struggles with being in therapy and coming to terms with her loathing of her younger self was quite moving. I also really enjoyed how well her family and friends were written.
However, I gave it a go…. And surprisingly, I was quite impressed.
The book alternates between younger Alice and current day Alice. I didn’t find it particularly difficult to tell which was which. The context was pretty obvious.
Young Alice feels unattractive and has low self esteem. She hates having curly red hair and, craving approval, she gets into an unfortunate situation which leads to the previously mentioned pregnancy. It takes time to learn the outcome of that.
Current day Alice spends a lot of energy and time on her appearance. She’s now a polished, attractive strawberry blonde. However, her love life is a bit of a disaster, she hates her job and she drinks too much.
There is romance in this, but it’s not a romance novel by a long shot and it’s really a lot heavier than the cover suggests and contains quite a few topics which are either dark or difficult.
I personally really loved reading about Alice and following her journey. Her struggles with being in therapy and coming to terms with her loathing of her younger self was quite moving. I also really enjoyed how well her family and friends were written.
December 25, 2020
Im pretty sure I brought this book when it came out as its been on myshelfs so so long. I brought it cuz the title stood out to me and I figured it would be the book about putting yourself back together in whatever situation Alice found herself in mainly cuz of a man. 2012 that type of book is what I needed but in the end i did it on my own. That is why ive still got it on my shelfs and I've finally able enough to read it in 2020.
This book is about Alice and her struggles to put herself back together and to try love herself again and how she goes around doing that to decide to fix herself on her own terms. Does she get the much needed help along the way yes. She has amazing friends who in the beginning she treated like crap which what she does to roz is NOT okay.
I enjoyed finally being able to finish this book and I enjoyed alice learning to love herself maybe for the first time in a long time and those around her.
I do feel like this book should come with trigger warnings.
. Mental heath
. Talking about someone else being fat and bad hygiene
. Sexual assault
. Pills are reference alot like valium
. Alcohol drinking alot
.
This book is about Alice and her struggles to put herself back together and to try love herself again and how she goes around doing that to decide to fix herself on her own terms. Does she get the much needed help along the way yes. She has amazing friends who in the beginning she treated like crap which what she does to roz is NOT okay.
I enjoyed finally being able to finish this book and I enjoyed alice learning to love herself maybe for the first time in a long time and those around her.
I do feel like this book should come with trigger warnings.
. Mental heath
. Talking about someone else being fat and bad hygiene
. Sexual assault
. Pills are reference alot like valium
. Alcohol drinking alot
.
December 18, 2022
I wasn't overly sure about this book when I bought it, but I ended up really enjoying it. I'm a terribly slow reader, but managed to finish this in 3 days. It kept my engaged, the back and forth from present to past did catch me off guard to start, but was ok after the first time. Found myself upset after the halfway mark. Not a theme I've read before but found it to be a great read, and an unexpected book. Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2021
This story of a woman's journey through a breakdown (and out the other side) is well judged, but when I'd finished I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Not a comfortable read, which is why I gave it a lower rating than it possibly deserves.
July 27, 2021
This story of a woman's journey through a breakdown (and out the other side) is well judged, but when I'd finished I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Not a comfortable read, which is why I gave it a lower rating than it possibly deserves.
September 25, 2017
Ottimo spunto di riflessione per ripartire con la propria vita, punto e a capo.
November 28, 2018
Too depressing for me unfortunately. I only finished it because I hate not finishing what I start but it’s not my type of book. That’s not to say that it wouldn’t be someone else’s cup of tea.
July 8, 2020
A bit better than chick lit, I guess but ending really a bit too pat. Certainly wouldn’t seek out another by this author.
August 31, 2021
Not a bad story, a good light read
May 24, 2022
Non me lo aspettavo fosse così emozionante.
Non ci sono cliché e per la prima volta si vede il cambiamento graduale della protagonista e si cresce con lei.
L'unica premessa è preparate i fazzoletti.
Non ci sono cliché e per la prima volta si vede il cambiamento graduale della protagonista e si cresce con lei.
L'unica premessa è preparate i fazzoletti.
December 29, 2023
C'è sempre stato qualcosa nella trama di questo libro che mi ha spinta a desiderarlo sin dalla prima volta che l'ho letta.
E non era solamente il nome in comune con la sua protagonista, ma era qualcosa di più viscerale e sarà un miracolo se non renderò questa recensione troppo personale.
Ho pianto... e sì, ho pianto più di una volta.
Alice è una ragazza di quasi trent'anni, inglese di nascita ma residente a Melbourne da dieci anni. È una ragazza che sa dedicarsi completamente ai suoi amici quando hanno bisogno di lei, ma che non sa assolutamente prendersi cura di se stessa.
Sin da piccola ha sempre detestato i suoi capelli ricci e rossi, tanto che spende i soldi che non ha in trattamenti liscianti e tinte bionde pur di cancellarne l'esistenza.
Nasconde le ricevute delle carte di credito sotto il materasso, controlla sempre la quantità di carboidrati che ingerisce, non ha relazioni serie, cerca di essere il più possibile normale e quando gli attacchi d'ansia colpiscono e il passato torna ad affacciarsi alla sua mente, lei li combatte a suon di Valium e alcolici.
Fino a quando questi ultimi non bastano più a tenere insieme la facciata di apparente spensieratezza e tutto crolla a pezzi.
Alice è una ragazza che ha perso se stessa molto tempo fa e che non sa da che parte cominciare per ritrovarsi.
È una storia che mi ha profondamente commossa, la storia di come una famiglia può sfasciarsi con un padre traditore e una madre che si lascia troppo andare e sorelle forse troppo grandi per legare davvero tra di loro e di una bambina a cui forse non viene dato il giusto ascolto.
Perché forse la cosa peggiore è davvero non riuscire a parlare con i propri genitori quando qualcosa non va ed essere incapaci di chiedere aiuto, quando uno dei due è troppo preso dalla sua nuova relazione e l'altra dedica forse troppe attenzioni alla sorella di mezzo e lavorando comunque troppe ore per essere in grado di mantenere le figlie.
E quando Alice a diciassette anni si troverà in difficoltà, negando fino alla stremo quel segreto che custodisce fino a quando non ne verrà sopraffatta, alla fine sceglierà comunque il silenzio.
Alternando passato e presente, scopriamo come Alice è diventata quella che è oggi e cosa l'ha spinta a rinunciare ai propri sogni quando era solo un'adolescente.
Come il trauma della separazione, della sua famiglia folle e forse un po' disfunzionale e quel segreto celato l'hanno portata ad essere un'adulta sull'orlo di un collasso nervoso.
È una storia d'amore, ma non si tratta di amore romantico - o meglio, non del tutto. Si parla di amore tra amici vicini e lontani, tra madri e figlie, tra sorelle, tra partners - amore che esula dal sesso dei personaggi e dalle loro inclinazioni sessuali.
È una storia che parla di morte, di tradimento, di traumi psicologici e delle loro conseguenze, di autostima, di omosessualità - il tutto trattato con una delicatezza e un'attenzione eccezionali.
È una storia di maturazione, crescita e soprattutto accettazione perché per quanto i suoi amici siano fantastici, Alice capirà che solo lei può percorrere il percorso che la porterà alla guarigione - una strada difficile, dolorosa e piena di ostacoli che però sa di dover percorrere da sola costringendosi finalmente a parlare e ad aprirsi con chi la circonda prima che la situazione diventi ingestibile.
Perché anche quelle che sembrano piccole cose lasciano un segno su di noi e dentro di noi, facendoci diventare una versione adulta di noi stessi che forse non avremmo voluto essere e le menzogne reggono solo fino ad un certo punto prima che il passato torni a bussare e a chiedere il conto.
È un romanzo che fa male, ma è quel male che alla fine fa bene e persino io che non ho un singolo grammo di istinto materno in me, alla fine mi sono ritrovata a piangere.
È un romanzo che parla di cose lasciate in sospeso, che parla di rimpianti e di "e se..." quando in realtà si era ancora troppo immaturi per comprendere davvero certe scelte, che parla di seconde occasioni e di opportunità da afferrare, che parla di speranza.
Perché è possibile guarire, però bisogna volerlo.
Io e Alice non abbiamo lo stesso background, ma ho trovato davvero tante (a volte troppe) cose in comune con lei - e non parlo solo del nome.
Ho pianto con lei e non l'ho fatto solo per la sua storia e il suo dolore, il suo dover scendere a patti con quanto accaduto e il suo accettare ma anche lasciare andare, ma anche perché Alice parla al lettore rivolgendosi a lui e coinvolgendolo totalmente nel racconto - è una spirale in cui è impossibile non venire trascinati.
E Alice e la sua storia mi resteranno sempre nel cuore, un po' come memoria del passato e diario del presente e un po' come monito per il futuro.
E non era solamente il nome in comune con la sua protagonista, ma era qualcosa di più viscerale e sarà un miracolo se non renderò questa recensione troppo personale.
Ho pianto... e sì, ho pianto più di una volta.
Alice è una ragazza di quasi trent'anni, inglese di nascita ma residente a Melbourne da dieci anni. È una ragazza che sa dedicarsi completamente ai suoi amici quando hanno bisogno di lei, ma che non sa assolutamente prendersi cura di se stessa.
Sin da piccola ha sempre detestato i suoi capelli ricci e rossi, tanto che spende i soldi che non ha in trattamenti liscianti e tinte bionde pur di cancellarne l'esistenza.
Nasconde le ricevute delle carte di credito sotto il materasso, controlla sempre la quantità di carboidrati che ingerisce, non ha relazioni serie, cerca di essere il più possibile normale e quando gli attacchi d'ansia colpiscono e il passato torna ad affacciarsi alla sua mente, lei li combatte a suon di Valium e alcolici.
Fino a quando questi ultimi non bastano più a tenere insieme la facciata di apparente spensieratezza e tutto crolla a pezzi.
Alice è una ragazza che ha perso se stessa molto tempo fa e che non sa da che parte cominciare per ritrovarsi.
È una storia che mi ha profondamente commossa, la storia di come una famiglia può sfasciarsi con un padre traditore e una madre che si lascia troppo andare e sorelle forse troppo grandi per legare davvero tra di loro e di una bambina a cui forse non viene dato il giusto ascolto.
Perché forse la cosa peggiore è davvero non riuscire a parlare con i propri genitori quando qualcosa non va ed essere incapaci di chiedere aiuto, quando uno dei due è troppo preso dalla sua nuova relazione e l'altra dedica forse troppe attenzioni alla sorella di mezzo e lavorando comunque troppe ore per essere in grado di mantenere le figlie.
E quando Alice a diciassette anni si troverà in difficoltà, negando fino alla stremo quel segreto che custodisce fino a quando non ne verrà sopraffatta, alla fine sceglierà comunque il silenzio.
Alternando passato e presente, scopriamo come Alice è diventata quella che è oggi e cosa l'ha spinta a rinunciare ai propri sogni quando era solo un'adolescente.
Come il trauma della separazione, della sua famiglia folle e forse un po' disfunzionale e quel segreto celato l'hanno portata ad essere un'adulta sull'orlo di un collasso nervoso.
È una storia d'amore, ma non si tratta di amore romantico - o meglio, non del tutto. Si parla di amore tra amici vicini e lontani, tra madri e figlie, tra sorelle, tra partners - amore che esula dal sesso dei personaggi e dalle loro inclinazioni sessuali.
È una storia che parla di morte, di tradimento, di traumi psicologici e delle loro conseguenze, di autostima, di omosessualità - il tutto trattato con una delicatezza e un'attenzione eccezionali.
È una storia di maturazione, crescita e soprattutto accettazione perché per quanto i suoi amici siano fantastici, Alice capirà che solo lei può percorrere il percorso che la porterà alla guarigione - una strada difficile, dolorosa e piena di ostacoli che però sa di dover percorrere da sola costringendosi finalmente a parlare e ad aprirsi con chi la circonda prima che la situazione diventi ingestibile.
Perché anche quelle che sembrano piccole cose lasciano un segno su di noi e dentro di noi, facendoci diventare una versione adulta di noi stessi che forse non avremmo voluto essere e le menzogne reggono solo fino ad un certo punto prima che il passato torni a bussare e a chiedere il conto.
È un romanzo che fa male, ma è quel male che alla fine fa bene e persino io che non ho un singolo grammo di istinto materno in me, alla fine mi sono ritrovata a piangere.
È un romanzo che parla di cose lasciate in sospeso, che parla di rimpianti e di "e se..." quando in realtà si era ancora troppo immaturi per comprendere davvero certe scelte, che parla di seconde occasioni e di opportunità da afferrare, che parla di speranza.
Perché è possibile guarire, però bisogna volerlo.
Io e Alice non abbiamo lo stesso background, ma ho trovato davvero tante (a volte troppe) cose in comune con lei - e non parlo solo del nome.
Ho pianto con lei e non l'ho fatto solo per la sua storia e il suo dolore, il suo dover scendere a patti con quanto accaduto e il suo accettare ma anche lasciare andare, ma anche perché Alice parla al lettore rivolgendosi a lui e coinvolgendolo totalmente nel racconto - è una spirale in cui è impossibile non venire trascinati.
E Alice e la sua storia mi resteranno sempre nel cuore, un po' come memoria del passato e diario del presente e un po' come monito per il futuro.
August 2, 2015
Recensione presente sul blog www.ragazzainrosso.wordpress.com
Alice vive a Melbourne, lavora come inserzionista nella redazione di un giornale, il suo conto in banca è quasi sempre al rosso tanto che nasconde gli estratti conto della carta di credito sotto il materasso, è affascinata da Dan, ma purtroppo questi è gay e ama bere vino dalle tazze.Tuttavia Alice nasconde un grande segreto che continua a tormentarla e a opprimerla fino a trascinarla in un tunnel dal quale sarà molto difficile uscire. Difficile ma non impossibile.
“Ero soltanto una donna seduta, che si concedeva una pausa, che guardava gli altri ballare, alcuni da soli, altri in coppia, altri ancora in gruppo. Sapevo che un giorno, quando sarei stata pronta, avrei potuto unirmi a loro.”
Le vicende narrative ruotano attorno ad Alice, fanciulla dai riccioli rossi trasformati in lisci fili dorati e alle sue peripezie di donna moderna. La giovane ha una psicologia alquanto complessa: le sue giornate sono scandite da un elevato consumo di alcol e Valium, le sue amicizie sono circoscritte a un ristretto gruppo di privilegiate persone e per l’amore, quello vero, non vi è alcuno spazio. Alice conserva nel suo inconscio il ricordo di un’esperienza sessuale dalle traumatiche conseguenze, la quale assieme ai numerosi disagi familiari, l’hanno portata a fuggire in Australia e a costruirsi un’altra vita. Vita che però si rivela essere un labirinto d’insidie. Alice non può farcela. Ha bisogno d’aiuto per poter tornare a volare leggiadra. È necessario che ella impari a conoscersi, ad apprezzare la sua vita e ad accettare i dolori, solo così potrà andare avanti provando a realizzare i suoi sogni e a tornare a essere la fanciulla dai lunghi riccioli rossi.
Dal punto di vista tematico il romanzo affronta questioni complesse quali: la mancanza di dialogo all’interno del contesto familiare, l’adolescenza, la morte, il tradimento, i drammi della psiche, l’omosessualità. L’autrice riesce a inserirle tutte con grande dolcezza all’interno della duplice trama del romanzo, che vede continuamente l’alternarsi tra passato e presente, tra ricordi e complesse vicende psichiche, rendendo così l’opera adatta a un pubblico eterogeneo.
L’autrice sceglie una prosa semplice, fluida e scorrevole, capace di alternare drammaticità e leggerezza, infatti non mancano momenti esilaranti e dialoghi serrati, ottime trovate narrative per alleggerire la tensione.
Il lettore si sente costantemente parte della vicenda. Avverte su di sé il peso delle sofferenze della protagonista e il suo disagio. Si commuove durante le situazione emotivamente più complesse e sorride sollevato dinanzi al sereno finale.
Un romanzo non facile. Una sorta di saggio psicologico aperto a continui spunti di riflessione. Una lettura che vede protagonisti i sentimenti, di qualunque natura essi siano. Una titanica lotta per ritrovare se stessi.
Alice vive a Melbourne, lavora come inserzionista nella redazione di un giornale, il suo conto in banca è quasi sempre al rosso tanto che nasconde gli estratti conto della carta di credito sotto il materasso, è affascinata da Dan, ma purtroppo questi è gay e ama bere vino dalle tazze.Tuttavia Alice nasconde un grande segreto che continua a tormentarla e a opprimerla fino a trascinarla in un tunnel dal quale sarà molto difficile uscire. Difficile ma non impossibile.
“Ero soltanto una donna seduta, che si concedeva una pausa, che guardava gli altri ballare, alcuni da soli, altri in coppia, altri ancora in gruppo. Sapevo che un giorno, quando sarei stata pronta, avrei potuto unirmi a loro.”
Le vicende narrative ruotano attorno ad Alice, fanciulla dai riccioli rossi trasformati in lisci fili dorati e alle sue peripezie di donna moderna. La giovane ha una psicologia alquanto complessa: le sue giornate sono scandite da un elevato consumo di alcol e Valium, le sue amicizie sono circoscritte a un ristretto gruppo di privilegiate persone e per l’amore, quello vero, non vi è alcuno spazio. Alice conserva nel suo inconscio il ricordo di un’esperienza sessuale dalle traumatiche conseguenze, la quale assieme ai numerosi disagi familiari, l’hanno portata a fuggire in Australia e a costruirsi un’altra vita. Vita che però si rivela essere un labirinto d’insidie. Alice non può farcela. Ha bisogno d’aiuto per poter tornare a volare leggiadra. È necessario che ella impari a conoscersi, ad apprezzare la sua vita e ad accettare i dolori, solo così potrà andare avanti provando a realizzare i suoi sogni e a tornare a essere la fanciulla dai lunghi riccioli rossi.
Dal punto di vista tematico il romanzo affronta questioni complesse quali: la mancanza di dialogo all’interno del contesto familiare, l’adolescenza, la morte, il tradimento, i drammi della psiche, l’omosessualità. L’autrice riesce a inserirle tutte con grande dolcezza all’interno della duplice trama del romanzo, che vede continuamente l’alternarsi tra passato e presente, tra ricordi e complesse vicende psichiche, rendendo così l’opera adatta a un pubblico eterogeneo.
L’autrice sceglie una prosa semplice, fluida e scorrevole, capace di alternare drammaticità e leggerezza, infatti non mancano momenti esilaranti e dialoghi serrati, ottime trovate narrative per alleggerire la tensione.
Il lettore si sente costantemente parte della vicenda. Avverte su di sé il peso delle sofferenze della protagonista e il suo disagio. Si commuove durante le situazione emotivamente più complesse e sorride sollevato dinanzi al sereno finale.
Un romanzo non facile. Una sorta di saggio psicologico aperto a continui spunti di riflessione. Una lettura che vede protagonisti i sentimenti, di qualunque natura essi siano. Una titanica lotta per ritrovare se stessi.
March 21, 2012
This review was written for The Review Diaries: http://reviewdiaries.blogspot.co.uk/
This one was a bit mixed for me – for starters it isn’t my usual book fare but I was curious by the blurb so I wanted to give it a go. However the blurb really doesn’t seem to match the books in some areas at all.
For starters Alice really isn’t the friend I wish I had, at no point does she ever come across as the life of the party or a fun person to be around- we never get to see that side of her except for one brief scene at the beginning. We see the drinking and the valium, but none of the exuberant outgoing person I was expecting from the blurb.
In fact the first two thirds were a bit like watching a car crash as Alice slowly self-destructs. It wasn’t pleasant or particularly enjoyable, but it was necessary to reach the point where we meet the real Alice.
However, once we start to get to the real Alice, not the one she hides behind, it’s a fascinating and compelling story. I was just frustrated that it took so long to reach that point. I think that once we do reach this though it almost all becomes worth-while because all the puzzle pieces start to slot together and make sense and we see her become a real whole person again, which I loved. I just wish that it hadn’t taken so long for her to self-destruct and we could have seen more of the recovery process as opposed to more of the car crash.
It was a very interesting style to pick, with both the present day Alice and the younger Alice’s stories being told at the same time. It was a touch confusing at the start as there is no real indication of whose chapter it is going in, but as a pattern and rhythm emerged I found it to be a really engaging way of storytelling to have both stories unravelling and merging together as I progressed. There were a few problems with tenses at some moments, but on the whole the writing is strong, the characters clear and as I said, once we reach the emerging Alice it became a truly engaging and beautiful story.
As a début novel it’s strong, but not entirely my cup of tea, however the strength of the last third of the novel was enough to swing my perspective round and make me curious to read what Ms Marinelli writes next. I would recommend it as a very definite page turner for anyone who likes to escape into another’s life without any fantasy elements. An interesting début that’s well worth a read
This one was a bit mixed for me – for starters it isn’t my usual book fare but I was curious by the blurb so I wanted to give it a go. However the blurb really doesn’t seem to match the books in some areas at all.
For starters Alice really isn’t the friend I wish I had, at no point does she ever come across as the life of the party or a fun person to be around- we never get to see that side of her except for one brief scene at the beginning. We see the drinking and the valium, but none of the exuberant outgoing person I was expecting from the blurb.
In fact the first two thirds were a bit like watching a car crash as Alice slowly self-destructs. It wasn’t pleasant or particularly enjoyable, but it was necessary to reach the point where we meet the real Alice.
However, once we start to get to the real Alice, not the one she hides behind, it’s a fascinating and compelling story. I was just frustrated that it took so long to reach that point. I think that once we do reach this though it almost all becomes worth-while because all the puzzle pieces start to slot together and make sense and we see her become a real whole person again, which I loved. I just wish that it hadn’t taken so long for her to self-destruct and we could have seen more of the recovery process as opposed to more of the car crash.
It was a very interesting style to pick, with both the present day Alice and the younger Alice’s stories being told at the same time. It was a touch confusing at the start as there is no real indication of whose chapter it is going in, but as a pattern and rhythm emerged I found it to be a really engaging way of storytelling to have both stories unravelling and merging together as I progressed. There were a few problems with tenses at some moments, but on the whole the writing is strong, the characters clear and as I said, once we reach the emerging Alice it became a truly engaging and beautiful story.
As a début novel it’s strong, but not entirely my cup of tea, however the strength of the last third of the novel was enough to swing my perspective round and make me curious to read what Ms Marinelli writes next. I would recommend it as a very definite page turner for anyone who likes to escape into another’s life without any fantasy elements. An interesting début that’s well worth a read
February 19, 2014
I don't why, but I wasn't expecting to like this book. However, it turned out to be quite an enjoyable read.
It is quite a stark and honest reveal of the lengths most women would go through to suppress her inner demons. As long as the outside looks fine, then all must be well, right? Wrong.
Living a life of repressed memories, un-felt emotions, stark denial and superficial "wellness" seems to be becoming the "norm" in modern society. Alice gently, and with an honesty that is both brutal, and touching at the same time, shows us the consequences of existing as opposed to living.
When Alice suffered her mini mental breakdown, I was reminded of the quote by Barbara Bloom
"When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something’s suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful"
I know Alice is not an object, but she focused so much on her physical beauty, that she came across as a human ornament. Alice had to shatter in order to be able to rebuild, and move on with her life. She had to fill her broken bits and kind of super glue herself together with a truth, and integrity that was slowly unfolding in her life.
I guess it is because her true beauty, did not come from hair serums, or straightened hair, well applied make up, botox or hair dye.
Her true beauty came with her slow unravel into stark reality, and with her change of circumstance, had to change her appearance, and with that, the cracks in Alice, were filled with inner beauty and simple self acceptance, growth and love and a teasing sense of self deprecation.
This book and character are totally relateable as we all have an Alice in our lives. Some people choose to keep the Alice in their lives as a victim in order to make themselves feel better, and other people choose to empower their Alice in order to allow her to be better. Whichever way you look at it, Alice, whether the character in the book or the eerily similar friend you have in RL, as a reader, makes you look deeper into your own life, actions, reactions and make some sort of adjustments, if needed.
Totally recommend this book.
It is quite a stark and honest reveal of the lengths most women would go through to suppress her inner demons. As long as the outside looks fine, then all must be well, right? Wrong.
Living a life of repressed memories, un-felt emotions, stark denial and superficial "wellness" seems to be becoming the "norm" in modern society. Alice gently, and with an honesty that is both brutal, and touching at the same time, shows us the consequences of existing as opposed to living.
When Alice suffered her mini mental breakdown, I was reminded of the quote by Barbara Bloom
"When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something’s suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful"
I know Alice is not an object, but she focused so much on her physical beauty, that she came across as a human ornament. Alice had to shatter in order to be able to rebuild, and move on with her life. She had to fill her broken bits and kind of super glue herself together with a truth, and integrity that was slowly unfolding in her life.
I guess it is because her true beauty, did not come from hair serums, or straightened hair, well applied make up, botox or hair dye.
Her true beauty came with her slow unravel into stark reality, and with her change of circumstance, had to change her appearance, and with that, the cracks in Alice, were filled with inner beauty and simple self acceptance, growth and love and a teasing sense of self deprecation.
This book and character are totally relateable as we all have an Alice in our lives. Some people choose to keep the Alice in their lives as a victim in order to make themselves feel better, and other people choose to empower their Alice in order to allow her to be better. Whichever way you look at it, Alice, whether the character in the book or the eerily similar friend you have in RL, as a reader, makes you look deeper into your own life, actions, reactions and make some sort of adjustments, if needed.
Totally recommend this book.
March 6, 2012
Blog Tour: Review & Interview: http://totallybookalicious.blogspot.c...
Putting Alice Back Together is just one of those heartbreaking story of a woman who has some series issues going on in her life, past and present. Told between present day Alice at age 27, struggling to deal with her debt and past Alice, a normal seventeen year old teenage from England who loves piano but we slowly discover a dark secret that is tormenting Alice in the present day,
I haven't read much Women's Fiction but from what I have read I do enjoy it and this one of my favourites. Alice is one of those characters that even though she is seriously flawed I found it really hard not to love her. She is a very vulnerable, even though on the outside she comes across as very strong and out going. For ten years she has been living with a tragic secret that is eating away at her. When we read about seventeen year old Alice, she is a shy girl who falls in love with the piano. I felt like I was teleported in to those pages through the highs and lows for young Alice. I think that young Alice people are either going to love or hate her because of how the story is but I loved her and just wanted to hug it through everything,
Carol has created such a fantastic story that isn't short on drama. Usually jumping from present to past in book doesn't work for me. However, with Putting Alice Back Together it works perfectly. Carol has managed to divide the time just right that gives the reader a real and raw insight into Alice's head and what she is going through. .
Aside from the emotional storyline, Putting Alice Back Together also has a bit of humour and a fantastic balance of relationships between Alice and her friends. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes women's fiction or if you are just looking for a really quick and real read that will stay with you long after you finish it. Can't wait to read more of Carol's work.
Putting Alice Back Together is just one of those heartbreaking story of a woman who has some series issues going on in her life, past and present. Told between present day Alice at age 27, struggling to deal with her debt and past Alice, a normal seventeen year old teenage from England who loves piano but we slowly discover a dark secret that is tormenting Alice in the present day,
I haven't read much Women's Fiction but from what I have read I do enjoy it and this one of my favourites. Alice is one of those characters that even though she is seriously flawed I found it really hard not to love her. She is a very vulnerable, even though on the outside she comes across as very strong and out going. For ten years she has been living with a tragic secret that is eating away at her. When we read about seventeen year old Alice, she is a shy girl who falls in love with the piano. I felt like I was teleported in to those pages through the highs and lows for young Alice. I think that young Alice people are either going to love or hate her because of how the story is but I loved her and just wanted to hug it through everything,
Carol has created such a fantastic story that isn't short on drama. Usually jumping from present to past in book doesn't work for me. However, with Putting Alice Back Together it works perfectly. Carol has managed to divide the time just right that gives the reader a real and raw insight into Alice's head and what she is going through. .
Aside from the emotional storyline, Putting Alice Back Together also has a bit of humour and a fantastic balance of relationships between Alice and her friends. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes women's fiction or if you are just looking for a really quick and real read that will stay with you long after you finish it. Can't wait to read more of Carol's work.
March 15, 2012
At first I wasn't sure when I started this.
It took me a while to warm to the main character of Alice as there was aspects to her character that were totally unlikeable. But in the end I think this is what made her seem more real and likeable. In some ways she was even relatable. Alice is actually a deeper character than you originally think and I liked getting to know her character and the way she manages to turn things around for herself.
I also really liked how each chapter jumped from past to present and the more I read the more intrigued I was by her story. Yes it was mostly predictible but the writing drew me in and I found myself really enjoying this.
The only real downside I found to this story were all of the other characters. At times I kept mixing Roz and Bonny up in my head and confusing myself lol but by the end I was with it, so I recommend reading those scenes properly to get a feel for who is who :)
Hugh, I didnt think was all that great. He abandoned her when she really needed him and for me thats not a good male love interest thing to do. But that might just be me.
From the start the "secret" was obvious but it didn't actually deflect from the story. Althought I suspected someone else of being the one who got her in that way, glad to say I was wrong.
Overall this was good story and some good writing. I love a book that makes you really feel for the characters and this did that for me. I would read more from this author in the future.
It took me a while to warm to the main character of Alice as there was aspects to her character that were totally unlikeable. But in the end I think this is what made her seem more real and likeable. In some ways she was even relatable. Alice is actually a deeper character than you originally think and I liked getting to know her character and the way she manages to turn things around for herself.
I also really liked how each chapter jumped from past to present and the more I read the more intrigued I was by her story. Yes it was mostly predictible but the writing drew me in and I found myself really enjoying this.
The only real downside I found to this story were all of the other characters. At times I kept mixing Roz and Bonny up in my head and confusing myself lol but by the end I was with it, so I recommend reading those scenes properly to get a feel for who is who :)
Hugh, I didnt think was all that great. He abandoned her when she really needed him and for me thats not a good male love interest thing to do. But that might just be me.
From the start the "secret" was obvious but it didn't actually deflect from the story. Althought I suspected someone else of being the one who got her in that way, glad to say I was wrong.
Overall this was good story and some good writing. I love a book that makes you really feel for the characters and this did that for me. I would read more from this author in the future.
August 3, 2015
Se devi rimettere insieme la tua vita, è questo il libro che devi leggere.
ALICE, PUNTO E A CAPO è il libro giusto per ripartire. Il nuovo inizio che non sai da che punto far iniziare.
Sicuramente dalla verità: i segreti hanno le ore contate. La comunicazione è importante. L'amicizia è una buona base di partenza.
Se qualcosa non va, Alice è la persona che ti può aiutare.
È l'amica che vorresti avere.
Ma se ad aver bisogno di aiuto fosse proprio lei? Cosa bisogna fare?
Seguire la storia di Alice, raccontata da Carol Marinelli.
Se la vita è difficile, non vuol dire che sia impossibile farla cambiare, eliminando le ostilità, le zavorre che impediscono alla felicità di assumere il comando per farci volare alto.
La costruzione del romanzo si fonda su due piani temporali: il presente e il passato si alternano e si intrecciano per raccontare la storia di Alice e le "cadute" da cui non riesce a risollevarsi.
Carol Marinelli scrive in modo semplice, fluido e scorrevole, e il suo stile è perfetto per alternare drammaticità e leggerezza.
Leggendo ALICE, PUNTO E A CAPO, si sorride, ci si commuove, ma si impara anche tanto. È un romanzo non propriamente leggero, ma di sicuro è ben strutturato e ottimamente scritto.
"Mi sentii bella anche io.
Mi sentii come se ce l'avessi fatta ..."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews