Don't even know where to start with this one! A client at work mentioned it, and actually it was on a free promotion as a Kindle read so I took a chance as it's not something I would normally have been drawn to. I'm not going to lie, I cried, and I wasn't expecting that when I first picked it up! I'm not adverse to emotionally emotive books and read quite a lot of 'heavy' or 'hard' material, both for work and through personal choice. This was a story that hit so many different ways, I feel like I may need a few days to fully form the main 'feels' but finished it this morning on the train, and cried... ON THE TRAIN!
*Spoiler/ plot alert*
I understand now why the author says very little about this in the interview my client showed me and why my client was cagey about why they felt it was good, because I am now struggling to encapsulate its magnitude and how it touches you, without spoiling that very thing with too much information, but here goes (maybe an over-share) as I feel it's too important not to say.
I have personally been in Daniel's shoes, in my own way, and NEVER have I read ANYTHING that I felt really 'seen' in. The closeness to how this can be for someone was paramount, and I literally felt both Robin and Daniels sides, all the way through.
The gentleness of new and scary 'love', and the first person narratives of the WHY'S behind the reasons it's scary were beyond relatable, and the 'flick-flack' between my own view and assumption of what was going on for each character was like I was literally at work or in the bar with them both, almost as a confidante.
This is also the very reason why the reality of the true subject matter of the story landed so deeply. For me, this is exactly the way real lives happen. I have worked with many clients in positions like those of both Daniel and Robin, and also as I said, I have had my own lived experience, and cannot believe how powerfully well (in my opinion) this story gives a window to someone who maybe hasn't got lived experience of domestic violence, so they maybe can understand a little better something that would be hard for someone whose been there, to share or convey. I realise now, this is why my client suggested I read this, as obviously my own lived experience is not shared at work with either clients or colleagues.
I have MASSIVE respect for the author, and will be adding this one to my work-shelf, for clients to peruse, and actually hoping some of my colleagues will too, as It speaks not only to me, but FOR ME.
Man, I'm crying again!! :D
A HUGE thank you to the author
Dave x