The Things We Never Said

by Susan Elliot Wright

In 1964 Maggie wakes to find herself in a psychiatric ward, not knowing who she is or why she has been committed. She slowly begins to have memories of a storm and of a man called Jack and slowly the pieces of the past begin to come together...In 2008 Jonathan is struggling to put his differences with his parents aside to tell them he and his wife are expecting a baby, when a detective arrives to question him about crimes committed long ago...And as these two tales interweave, the secrets of the past, long kept hidden, start to come to light in unexpected and sometimes startling ways. The Things We Never Said is a powerful novel about fatherhood and motherhood; nature and nurture; cruelty and kindness; and mental breakdown. Written in beautiful, compelling prose, it is by turns revealing, witty and moving.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mental Illness, Contemporary, Book Club, Mystery, Mental Health

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2013

About the author

Susan Elliot Wright grew up in Lewisham in south-east London. Before becoming a full-time writer, she did a number of different jobs, including civil servant, cleaner, dishwasher, journalist, and chef. She has an MA in writing from Sheffield Hallam University, where she is now an associate lecturer, and she lives in Sheffield with her husband and a big black dog called Henry. She is currently at work on her fourth novel, which will be published by Simon & Schuster in 2018.

Susan's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/susanelliotw...

Reviews

[B the BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a captivating book from this new author. An enthralling read, this debut novel set in England, deals with many issues relevant in our lives today; parenting, marriage, mental health, pregnancy, families and teaching. Ms Elliot Wright manages two threads, forty years apart, exceptionally well. Maggie and Jonathan both struggle with the issue of their identity. Well researched in the mental health practices of the 1960s; shocking to read (no pun intended) and in the sometimes unjust rules of teacher etiquette in 2009.

We follow Maggie as she struggles to reclaim the memory of her identity. It's 1964 when she wakes to find herself in a psychiatric ward; she has no recollection of her name, who she is or why she is in the ward. Tantalisingly revealed are a man called Jack, a fierce storm and a job in the theatre. But there is something important she just can't recall. Maggie remembers her life as it went awry.

Jonathan's identity falls apart as his life progresses. In present day, we find him floundering as life as he knows it; his marriage, his teaching job, his relationship with his parents all change radically. His parents feel like strangers to him, his marriage hits a rocky patch and at work, he is challenged by a unruly student who puts his job in jeopardy. He, too, finally begins to question who is he really is. Jonathan experiences his life as it begins to fall apart.

The Things We Never Said is a profound story capturing two lives as they spiral out of control. The narration is both bleakly real and beautifully descriptive. Two stories skilfully interwoven with a gentle flow. An engrossing and poignant book which earns every one of the four stars I have awarded.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Told by two narrators, of their stories that eventually intertwined.
I loved the characters, the mysteriousness of their individual stories and then how they mixed together. I would definitely read more by this author.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, it would have been an easy 4 stars except I felt the first half of the book was just a touch slow, the second half was a much more interesting read.

The book flits between Maggie's life, a woman who wakes up in a mental asylum in 1964 and can't remember why she's there, and Jonathan's life in the present day.

It takes a while before the two timelines start to intertwine and makes sense but the book is filled with wonderfully honest images of the good, the bad and the ugly of marriage, life, family and self. Once past the halfway point I was really intrigued by where the plot was heading and the characters were becoming more interesting.

I found Maggie's story fascinating all the way through, and a lot of emotion is felt no doubt by many readers for Maggie. She's a great character.

The book is compared to books by Maggie O"Farrell and anyone who likes a moving story focused on family and complex relationships will like this book. It's not my normal choice of book, I picked it up from the local library during a "Read Regional" book promotion, I'm all for supporting upcoming British authors.

I loved how the story came together towards the end and felt the author did an exceptional job on the ending. I really would like to give this four stars, but it's just that first half being a touch slow that holds me back, but hey, you might love it.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Things We Never Said is a story told in two voices and during the prologue the reader finds themselves in 2009 on a cold, wet and windy day. This is a gentle introduction, with flash backs to the past that really sets the pace for the story that follows.

The first voice of the story is Jonathan; a teacher, a father-to-be. Jonathan is a complex and worried character, his memories of childhood are not happy, he is struggling to know how to tell his ageing and controlling father that he is to be a grandfather. Jonathan's world changes beyond recognition, it happens so fast, with work problems and family issues, a visit from a policeman who is investigating crime that were committed over forty years ago is a huge shock, and one that will change his past, and his future.

The story goes back to 1964; Maggie is a confused and scared woman, she's locked up in a psychatric hospital, taking tablets, undergoing electric shock treatment. Maggie cannot remember why she is there, what happened to her? One small incident sparks off the beginning of Maggie's recollections, and as she gradually remembers her past, the reader accompanies her on her painful and traumatic journey.

At first, it is difficult to see how Maggie and Jonathan's lives can be connected, but as Susan Elliot Wright gently and carefully relays their individual stories, the links between them are uncovered.

The Things We Never Said is elegantly intriguing, the writing is passionate and authentic, the characters have flaws, yet are so very human. The sharp contrasts between the 1960s and the present day are clear, and fit together quite perfectly.

Susan Elliot Wright has explored many themes within this novel; the shock and shame of illegitimacy during the 60s; the pressures and political correctness of the modern-day teaching profession. The story centres on loss and deceit and the title is so very apt, for many people, certainly the lead characters in this story, it is the things that are not said that can have such a long-lasting and damaging effect on lives, and on futures.

There is a quote from author Veronica Henry on the cover of The Things We Never Said, she says "if you love Maggie O'Farrell, you will love this". I'm usually not so keen on comparisons and Maggie O'Farrell is a fabulous author, I was worried that comparing this debut novel with such an accomplished and successful author was a big big ask. However, I am delighted to say that I agree with Veronica Henry. Susan Elliot Wright has produced a superb story, she writes beautifully. I loved every page.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time it took me to read this book was not a reflection of its merit but more my lack of time to devote to it ! This was beautifully written and the time shifts were easy to follow unlike other novels attempts that jump all over the place ! Excellent research went into this story in relation to the treatment of mental health in the 50's . This would be a great holiday read

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is beautifully written and I loved the characters. It is rather poignant in parts and I simply couldn't put the book down. A wonderful read, thank you Susan Elliot Wright!

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfolding through dual narratives, The Things We Never Said by Susan Elliot Wright, alternates between the past and present.

In 1964, it takes Maggie weeks to remember the events that led to her being committed to a psychiatric hospital. Random flashes of memory, the wild winds of a hurricane...Jack...snow... cold..a crying baby...gradually resolve into a tragic history she would rather forget.

In 2008, Jonathon's comfortable life is slowly falling apart. When his father passes away unexpectedly, his mother is forced to reveal a long buried secret. Lost, angry and upset, the stress threatens to compromise his marriage and his career.

Gradually the link between Maggie and Jonathon reconciles, revealing the tragic history that binds them.

Despite the emotive issues involved in this story, I found it fairly slow. Though the general themes interest me and overall, I found the premise enticing, for whatever the reason I had a hard time connecting with both the story and the characters.

There were some moments in the plot that surprised me, though none I can mention without revealing spoilers. It has quite a busy storyline dealing with rape, family dysfunction, adoption, deceit, false accusations and mental illness which affects both timelines in different ways.

I think the author handled the alternate narratives well. Though I had some sympathy for Jonathon, I also thought him weak and self involved. I didn't warm to his wife either, who used her pregnancy as an excuse to essentially abandon him to his anxieties.
I could more easily empathise with Maggie's story and the way in which she was affected by what happens to her. Hers is a heartbreaking story of grief and loss.

Though The Things We Never Said didn't grip me in the way I hoped, it is a poignant tale of tragedy and secrets and a strong debut from an author with promise.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a page turner. So much happens. The story magnificently weaves from past to present. With the blanket of snow, biting cold & roaring gale force winds. Crashing of wood falling & roof tops whirling around.

Jonathan a school teacher is accused of hiting Ryan in the class room. More in store for poor Jonathan. Fiona, Jonathans wifes is expecting their first child & bleeds heavy where she isrushed to hospital.

Margaret Letitia Harrison is in a psychiatric ward having ECT, electric shock where 2 metal plates are placed on her temples. Margaret is addressed as maggie throught out this story. More for Maggie as this brillant story unfolds.
I highly recommend reading The Things We Never Said by Susan Elliot Wright.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an absolutely superb read. It is a story told in two halves with each chapter alternating between the two strands of the story, which then eventually dovetail together.

The first story is that of Maggie, who we first meet as a mental health patient in 1964. Maggie has no recollection of her life before entering the hospital and her story is divulged as she slowly starts to remember when we find out that she has had to make some very brave decisions which will affect her and others for a long time to come. It is not a pretty read, the events that brought her to this point in life and her treatment in hospital are very moving and quite harrowing at times.

The second story is that of Jonathan and takes place 40 years on. We meet him at a time when everything is going wrong in his life including, but not exclusively, problems at work and his father's death and the strain everything is putting on his marriage have really brought him to a low point. The only thing he has to look forward to is the birth of his first child. There are times in the book where you feel that he isn't getting the support he needs from his wife Fiona, but as a pregnant woman she has her own set of priorities. As the book says, when a woman is pregnant, she is the most important person in the world so when, on top of everything else, an unexpected visitor arrives with some quite shocking news that will have far reaching implications for Jonathan, he really feels he is on his own.

As I read the book, moving towards the point where the two stories meet up, I could appreciate how well the author had plotted this suspense filled story, which is very unusual, poignant and thought provoking. Like a jigsaw puzzle, each part of the storyline very neatly fits together until eventually you see the whole picture, with no spares.

There are some very serious issues in the book, which are dealt with in a very matter of fact way, not too melodramatic, but just right. It wasn't a book that I could sit and read in one go, partly because I didn't want it to end, but I kept having to put it down to catch my breath and take it all in.

It really is a special read, about parenthood, love, loss and mental health; one that I found very emotional and when it reached its very satisfying ending, I had to wipe a little tear away from my eye.

[Anne (Booklady) Molinarolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with to say about this novel, because I honestly don't know how I feel about it even though it has been circulating within my brain since this morning. I was intrigued by the premise: In 1964, a young woman named Maggie wakes up one morning in hospital not knowing really who she is or why she is there. She knows that she is physically fine, but her mind is shattered, She knows enough to put her best face forward, because if the nurses believe she is too happy, wary, or sad she'll be sent to "treatment" the following morning. The treatment is electric shocks, and they seem to scramble her memory even more. She is terrified of storms for some reason. Her memory almost miraculously becomes whole at a social function at the mental hospital when she touches the hand of a fellow patient who had a nervous breakdown after losing his wife and child. Something bad happened to her that night of a terrible storm when she had her first date with Jack.

Then we readers meet Jonathan in present day. He is a teacher. His wife is finally pregnant. He's put off telling his parents the good news because he doesn't get on with them - his father mainly. His father dies. A student accuses him of hitting him, and Jonathan is suspended indefinitely. Soon after his father's funeral, a detective appears at his doorstep. He is from the Cold Case division and Jonathan's DNA shows a familial match to several old unsolved is crimes. This is where Maggie and Jonathan's stories merge.

Some parts of the novel were beautifully written given that the author chose mental illness, date rape, and family ties - nature vs. nurture - as subjects. Some parts needed closer editing because some passages repeated themselves and was very disconcerting. At times the novel dragged somewhat - the pacing was not steady. The characters were well developed more or less. I loved Maggie. I wanted to hug her and hoped she'd be well at the novel's end. Jonathan? He was narcissistic, whiny, wimpy for a man of forty. He was too absorbed with his problems and ignoring his wife and mother. It was all about him until the very end of the novel. He did redeem himself in this reader's eyes. The ending did move me to tears. Was it a great summer read - no, but I did like it.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book. The plot is good and I read it to the end because I wanted to see what happened. But I never really connected with the characters, and actually found them quite annoying. There was also a disconnect with the story and the time in which it was set. As a story it could have been just as easily set in the 90's as in the 60's. There didn't seem to be any real elaboration about society's morals at the time and how this intersected with the plot. There wasn't anything much in the writing that actually signalled to you that part of it was set in the 60's in terms of current events occurring at the time or landmarks that may have been demolished/renovated being written into the background in some way. It was like it was something that was told and then you had to remember it. It also seemed to be weighed down by the issues that were being alluded. I think it might have been better if the book focussed on just a few of them and incorporated them into the story, dialogue and the motivations/thoughts of the characters to a much greater degree than was done. The passages relating to the treatment of psychiatric patients in the 60's were good and that really was the only time I got a sense of the different time the character was living in. Disappointing.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lesson in pace and planning. At no point did I want to put this down and have a rest from it and, even if I had, there isn't really a suitable point in the novel to do so. I really didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. It was a book my wife chose for a book club. I recognised the author's name from my uni so picked it up and started reading. I read it in one sitting. I was completely drawn in by the plight of Maggie and Jonathan. And, although I could often guess what was coming, I felt compelled to read on. I have read some of the criticisms on here and I'm rather shocked. Someone even claimed it was 'badly-written chick-lit'. Couldn't be further from the truth. It is an intelligent and engrossing read that reminds us (those of us old enough to remember) of the unfairness of the world in the 1960s and, I think, is a celebration of how much progress has been made with equality since then (though there is a way to go, obviously).
I would highly recommend this book.

[Monique Mulligan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two tales interweave to form a whole in Susan Elliot Wright's debut novel, The Things We Never Said . It took a little while for me to warm to the book, but once I did, I found myself engrossed as the dual narratives unfolded and then intersected, revealing secrets, lies and a tragedy that changed the lives of the main characters forever. I like the cover; a tired, perhaps confused, woman watches waves break onto the shore - it makes me wonder what she is thinking. Does she see escape in those waves? Or is she afraid they will crush her? Are they calming, stirring or overwhelming? When I dream of big waves, it usually means I'm feeling overwhelmed, so looking at this cover art, I imagine that she is overwhelmed by life, perhaps seeking a way out.

In 1964, Maggie wakes to find herself in a psychiatric ward. How did she get here? Why is she here? And who is she? As Maggie adjusts to life in this almost draconian institution, a place where it is better not to ask questions, she slowly pieces together memories ... memories that include a storm and a man called Jack. The reader is taken into Maggie's life a couple of years before her committal, revealing the circumstances that led to her current state. As her story is revealed, a heart-breaking event is exposed that makes her fragile state of mind more easily understood.

Alternate chapters share the story of Jonathan. It's 2008 and his story begins with him attempting to tell his parents that he and his wife are expecting a child. His father is not an easy man and when he dies before Jonathan can share the news, Jonathan at first feels as though a burden has been lifted. It's a temporary reprieve. He does not expect to feel the grief that hits him later, as memories of his father wander into his mind unbidden; nor does he expect to react to a difficult student at school in a way that results in him being charged for assault. Far from the joy he should be feeling at impending fatherhood, he is instead fighting for his career and reputation, questioning his relationship with his father, struggling in his marriage ... and then a detective turns up seeking information about a cold case Jonathan is inexplicably linked to via DNA matching. When his mother reveals a long-buried secret, Jonathan is left wondering who he is ... and where he comes from.

The Things We Never Said is a well-written book that ties together the two stories smoothly, with a particular emphasis on the fragility of the human psyche. The story line explores family relationships, biological and non-biological bonds, and mental strength and weakness in times of adversity in a bittersweet and moving manner, resulting in a slow moving novel with a complex flavour. I found Maggie's story especially touching; her experiences on the whole evoked a more sympathetic response in me than Jonathan's, even though I felt for him as his world fell apart. I didn't connect with the characters as strongly as I would have hoped, meaning they didn't leave a lasting impression, but overall, I liked the way their story was crafted.

[Judy Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE THINGS WE NEVER SAID, a captivating debut by Susan Elliot Wright, and narrated by Kate Lee, of mental health issues of the sixties and highly charged topics of pregnancy, marriage, and family secrets.

Set in England, we learn of Maggie of events forty years apart. In 1964, Maggie wakens to find herself in a psychiatric ward and has no relocation of her name or why she is here. There is a man named Jack a storm, a crying baby, and a job in a theatre; however, it is blurred.

Jonathan, a young complex teacher, is waiting to become a father for the first time with his wife, Fiona. Presently in 2008, we find Jack, with a comfortable life; however, problems with his parents, his marriage, and issues at school by a student who puts his job in jeopardy. His life is slowly falling apart. When his father passes away his mother is forced to reveal a dark buried secret. Now distraught, stressed, his marriage, and career are threatened.

As the story unfolds through dual narratives, alternating between past and present; interwoven as two lives spiral out of control. Gradually the connection between Maggie and Jonathon comes to light, revealing the tragic history that binds them.

Can only imagine how scared it must have been locked up in a psychiatric ward, undergoing shock treatment and taking pills and the attendants were far from warm. As small sparks seem to come to her, she gradually recalls her past as we follow her journey.

A poignant and emotional tale of tragedy and dark secrets, as well as family dysfunction. Sometimes listening to the audio was a little confusing with the back and forth in time; however, the author did an excellent job with her research into the mental health practices of the sixties and some of the other pertinent parts of the story line.

I was not totally invested in the characters and a little removed; however overall it is a well-written story of the weaknesses and strengths of our personalities, and how well we deal with stresses of life, tragedy, grief, and loss. The author explores family, relationships, marriage with a slow-paced, complex debut.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told during two different times, we follow the main characters, Maggie from 1964 and Jonathan from 2008. The prologue drew me in immediately with enough unanswered questions to keep me intrigued.

Maggie’s story is really moving. The reader first meets her in 1964 when she is a patient in a psychiatric hospital. Susan has written these parts of the book wonderfully, horrifying yet with glimpses of humour, it has the perfect balance. I really liked Maggie, she has an inner strength and courage that I admired greatly.

Jonathan is having a difficult time as events seem to conspire against him. Expecting his first child with his wife, he is finding it difficult to tell his parents due to the difficult relationship he has with them. I was rooting for him throughout the book, desperately hoping things would work out for him.

Without giving the plot away, the two stories come together perfectly. Mental health and parenting feature in this book and Susan has written sensitively and beautifully about difficult issues. The book is not depressing, however, and I felt uplifted by the ending.

A compelling read that is written beautifully, I would definitely recommend this book. I’m glad I finally got around to reading it as part of my 10 books of summer.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two story lines, one from 1964 and the second from 2008 gradually converge. In 1964 Maggie wakes up in an asylum but can't remember why she is there. In 2008 Jonathan, a 40-year-old teacher, has newly discovered he is going to be a father, a fact which sends him on a spiralling journey of self-discovery.

This isn't my usual genre of reading material, I can only think that I put it on my TBR list because of the asylum angle. Having said that, I actually found it quite an interesting read and I think the converging story lines were handled well. I found Maggie quite a sympathetic character and her story shows us how far we have come in how single women were treated (not that there aren't still issues). I probably wouldn't read it again, but it was worth the initial read.

[Marguerite Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those books that I liked, I read quickly, I enjoyed, but don't have much more to say. It was a good story, it was well written, it kept me turning the pages, it had a satisfactory ending. It made me want to find out a lot more about the treatment of women for mental illness in the 1960s.

[Katy Howard dane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really perceptive

This book captured the modern day and the 60s beautifully. It captured everything perfectly. I don't remember many authors names, I will remember Susan Elliot Wright.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

The latest pick from my monthly book club. I'll rate it 2.5 out of 5, i found the characters very difficult to connect with, in fact I found both of the main characters extremely irritating throughout most of the book, especially Johnathan. Try as I might I just couldnt find that emotional connection to the story as it progressed, and I think that's why I read it quite speedily. I just wanted it to be over quickly.
Also I found her writing style quite annoying, she used far too much description. There was no need to know what they ate for every single meal. It was quite tiresome in the end.
I wont read any more by her I dont think.

[Lucy McLaurin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of two people and their lives and how they are intertwined.

Maggie’s story is told from 1962 when she is a young lass just starting out with her life and how one awful event affected everything that happened from then on.

Jonathan’s story is in the present day and events that overtake him following his rather strict and cold father dies and how he reacts to that loss.

Both their lives are out of control and yet bringing them together is the best solution for both of them bug they don’t realise it just yet.

Beautifully written with empathy and raw emotion. A story that will stay with me for some time.

[Julie Thomason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly paced read, despite some of the harrowing early parts of Maggie’s story, you have to keep the faith in the early stages and tied up a bit too neatly at the end. Interesting observations at relationships and how things change.

[Michele Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - I loved the structure of this novel, told from two different time periods, focusing on two different characters. In the end, everything comes together full circle.

[Laura Klowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite. Very slow build. A bit confusing at the beginning with the two timelines. Once the two timelines finally connected it got a little better.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and would certainly read her again but it lost a star for me due to a few niggling mistakes and the oft-repeated descriptions of fires and fireplaces which grew tiresome for me !!
Weirdly the gorgeous cover doesn't copy across to either my Kindle or tablet, only on the tablet's carousel. That's a shame. The girl on the cover made me picture Lady Mary from Downton Abbey !!
She spelt discernible as discernable which I've seen done every time I've spotted it written in an e-book. Not sure why that is but it's wrong and it's annoying and so are random spaces inserted into words which seem to be another e-book speciality....like with con stable and whist ling and tin ker's. I only spotted one apostrophe error, though, which I was pleased about !!!
I liked some of the nostalgic mentions such as Kensitas cigarettes. I Googled to see if they were still around as an aside and if you look too take a peep at Kensitas Silks-what a thing-and very collectable. And whatever happened to bridge rolls ? You rarely see them nowadays.I was really fascinated to read about the 7 dwarfs and Disney as well !! I remember fondly those little Observer books as well as I had a couple when I was a kid.The author's little observations she made about day-to-day noises like the fridge's humming I liked a lot and there were some very funny lines in it as well.
The story was a good one and each chapter reverted back to Maggie's life or Jonathan's and I like books that are written in this way with the 2 periods clearly delineated. Some authors leave you wondering who's speaking and in which era !

[Yvann S · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it’s not an unfaithful partner, it’s a fraught pregnancy. Why, oh why, are we as readers condemned to these miserable renditions? Why can there not be a happy marriage? A simple pregnancy? Children who are well-behaved and intelligent? I suppose none of that makes for much drama, but still. These recurring slow personal tragedies exhaust me.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Maggie awakes in what is undeniably a mental health facility in the 1960s, back in the day when mental health facility was not a way in which one would have commonly heard such a place described. I didn’t get to read much of Maggie’s story but there is a mystery as to why she ended up there, and how she is going to be treated by the psychiatrist who seems to pride himself on pioneering methods. In our other storyline, Fiona has fallen pregnant in the probably here and now (certainly London after 1990-ish), and is delighted, and Jeremy is glad to be at the end of two years of trying, but cannot bring himself to tell his family. Fiona is not happy that he won’t tell his grouchy father; and at the point at which I abandoned the novel, Jeremy’s mother was on the phone.

I like these historical investigative novels. I loved Russian Winter and Blackberry Winter, and I quite enjoyed Before I Met You, but I gave this 50 pages and it hadn’t got going yet. I hope others out there had more success!

(this review is really a whinge about how many “women’s fiction” novels are about infidelity and problems with pregnancy. Why can’t we have more books like Code Name Verity?)

[Heather Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably shouldn't have read this so soon after The Hand That First Held Mine, as they are fairly similar, and the plots will now forever be tangled in my mind. This is another moving book, set in the past and present as different generations try to piece together their history and find their way forwards.

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This great debut novel tells a poignant story which deals with serious issues sensitively and without being melodramatic about it. Split between the early 60's narrated by Maggie, a young woman who leaves home to follow her dream to make props for a theatre company, and 2008 - 2009 by Jonathan a teacher at a secondary school. Both tales are well written and successfully authentic.

If anything I enjoyed Jonathan's story more than Maggie's which is an accolade to the author's ability to bring his story to life rather than focussing on that of Maggie's which is mainly set in on a psychiatric ward unable to piece together what had led to her being there. The skilful way the author draws a picture of the surroundings, from the boarding house to the sea at Hastings, along with the edge of suspense to what is essentially a familiar story made it hard to believe this is the author's first novel. I was particularly glad that this is one of those books which had a proper ending, one that I have to confess brought a tear to my eye.

Susan Elliot Wright is definitely an author I will be looking out for in the future.

[Ms bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Connected with the story in so many ways as a mum, wife,and from having family members who have experienced Ill mental health. The best bits apart from the very engaging and believable story lines are the writing style of two stories integrated one started in 1962 coming forward and the other in 2008 going backwards, the suspense, level of detail and description on places in London I know well! And how the author does a very good job of making you feel you were there in 1962 during Maggie's sectioning and rape.

Also key issues that leave you thinking like the treatment of those mentally ill during the 60s, stigma,abortion rights of women and how a women was labeled as a lose women for being pregnant and unmarried during this period. Never read anything by author before but I'm a fan and would recommend this book to those who like psychological thriller and suspense.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dithered over the stars for this one. Two seemed harsh, three seems quite high in comparison with other books I've rated this year. Still, there are some very nice parts to this book (love Maggie's story, particularly in the asylum). It has everything but the kitchen sink thrown in in terms of plot points, like a 60s/noughties Catherine Cooksopn epic, all neatly resolved with a Disney ending. Only dramatic tension it didn't have was a murder. Easy read, if not particularly riveting.

[Laura Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story, great characters and fabulous writing. It says on the cover: 'If you love Maggie O'Farrell you'll love this'. Well, I do love MoF and I loved this. Could hardly put it down. Great.