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Behind the Red Wooden Door
Some doors, once opened, cannot be closed…
Following the departure of her only friend, Drew starts having strange dreams which feature a mysterious red, wooden door. Hesitant at first to explore this other world that feels as substantial as reality, she nonetheless finds herself drawn to the door upon witnessing a masked stranger with unconventional tendencies entering it alone.
Desperate to rectify her lonesome situation during her time awake, she endeavors to handle the weighty demands of her job and distant father. But when she meets Bonnie, an outgoing girl who reminds her of the best friend who left, Drew begins to wonder about the possibilities of second chances.
Still, the memory of her absent friend continues to haunt her, even in her sleep. As she works to unravel their mysteries, the effects of her dreams on her daily life become ever more apparent—for, as it seems, more than one hidden truth remains to be uncovered.
Once Drew has opened the door, things might not return to the way they used to be…
An emotional and fantastical exploration of mental health and healing, this beautifully written magical realism novel combines the cozy and heartfelt elements so beloved by readers of Lonely Castle in the Mirror and When the Coffee Gets Cold.
Following the departure of her only friend, Drew starts having strange dreams which feature a mysterious red, wooden door. Hesitant at first to explore this other world that feels as substantial as reality, she nonetheless finds herself drawn to the door upon witnessing a masked stranger with unconventional tendencies entering it alone.
Desperate to rectify her lonesome situation during her time awake, she endeavors to handle the weighty demands of her job and distant father. But when she meets Bonnie, an outgoing girl who reminds her of the best friend who left, Drew begins to wonder about the possibilities of second chances.
Still, the memory of her absent friend continues to haunt her, even in her sleep. As she works to unravel their mysteries, the effects of her dreams on her daily life become ever more apparent—for, as it seems, more than one hidden truth remains to be uncovered.
Once Drew has opened the door, things might not return to the way they used to be…
An emotional and fantastical exploration of mental health and healing, this beautifully written magical realism novel combines the cozy and heartfelt elements so beloved by readers of Lonely Castle in the Mirror and When the Coffee Gets Cold.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2025
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Sofia Ulrikson
1 book4 followersSofia Ulrikson is a published author, writer, and student based in Oslo, Norway. Currently, she is working on her degree at the University of Oslo to become a clinical psychologist. It is her desire not only to write and share stories about people and mental health, but also to read inspiring books and listen to the unique narratives of the individuals she encounters through her work and social spheres.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 9, 2025
Change is possible, but it’s not always simple.
This was a sympathetic portrayal of how depression can sap a person’s energy and make even the smallest tasks feel all but impossible, and I was impressed by how accurate it was. Drew felt stuck in her stressful and low-paid retail position but couldn’t see how she could switch to something better anytime soon. When combined with other life difficulties, this made it hard for her to feel motivated or look for new opportunities. She was the sort of character I wanted to hug and give some genuine encouragement to.
With that being said, I struggled with the slow pacing and repetition. Drew noticed the red door multiple times before deciding if she wanted to open it to see what was inside, and even after that decision was made, she continued to put off making other choices that might have helped her in her journey to discover what that door meant and why it kept appearing in her nightmares. Yes, her depression went a long way in explaining why she behaved this way, but the pacing also made it difficult for me to remain highly interested in what might happen next because she continued agonizing over the same small decisions over and over again. This is something I’m saying as a reader who would have loved to give a higher rating and thought there was plenty of good in her story, too.
While I did see the ending coming in advance, it was still interesting to observe how Drew reacted to it once she figured out what was really going on. This wasn’t the sort of tale that needed a big plot twist in order to make everything work even though I continued to wish for more conflict and action at times. The quietness of it suited both Drew’s personality as well as what had happened earlier on in the storyline. She was the sort of person who would react well to gradually learning something that changed the way she thought about the world.
Behind the Red Wooden Door was thought provoking.
This was a sympathetic portrayal of how depression can sap a person’s energy and make even the smallest tasks feel all but impossible, and I was impressed by how accurate it was. Drew felt stuck in her stressful and low-paid retail position but couldn’t see how she could switch to something better anytime soon. When combined with other life difficulties, this made it hard for her to feel motivated or look for new opportunities. She was the sort of character I wanted to hug and give some genuine encouragement to.
With that being said, I struggled with the slow pacing and repetition. Drew noticed the red door multiple times before deciding if she wanted to open it to see what was inside, and even after that decision was made, she continued to put off making other choices that might have helped her in her journey to discover what that door meant and why it kept appearing in her nightmares. Yes, her depression went a long way in explaining why she behaved this way, but the pacing also made it difficult for me to remain highly interested in what might happen next because she continued agonizing over the same small decisions over and over again. This is something I’m saying as a reader who would have loved to give a higher rating and thought there was plenty of good in her story, too.
While I did see the ending coming in advance, it was still interesting to observe how Drew reacted to it once she figured out what was really going on. This wasn’t the sort of tale that needed a big plot twist in order to make everything work even though I continued to wish for more conflict and action at times. The quietness of it suited both Drew’s personality as well as what had happened earlier on in the storyline. She was the sort of person who would react well to gradually learning something that changed the way she thought about the world.
Behind the Red Wooden Door was thought provoking.
January 5, 2025
A Reflective Journey Through Self-Discovery and Healing
Behind the Red Wooden Door by Sofia Ulrikson is a poignant YA novel about lost love, friendship, and the journey of growing into one's true self. The story leans heavily into magical realism, which adds a dreamlike, almost otherworldly quality to the narrative.
Ulrikson's writing often exhibits a poetic quality, especially in her evocative descriptions of the scenery. While these passages might not appeal to everyone, they beautifully complement the introspective tone of the story. Drew, the main character, is so consumed by her pain that she spends much of the book unable to see the way forward. Her growth comes only near the end, making it all the more impactful as a story of healing and self-discovery.
At its heart, this book explores what it means to heal from a life of over-accommodating others and rediscover personal boundaries. If you see yourself in Drew, this book will resonate deeply. If you know someone like Drew, it offers invaluable insight into their inner world.
Ulrikson's storytelling is thoughtful and heartfelt, making Behind the Red Wooden Door an emotionally rewarding read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Behind the Red Wooden Door by Sofia Ulrikson is a poignant YA novel about lost love, friendship, and the journey of growing into one's true self. The story leans heavily into magical realism, which adds a dreamlike, almost otherworldly quality to the narrative.
Ulrikson's writing often exhibits a poetic quality, especially in her evocative descriptions of the scenery. While these passages might not appeal to everyone, they beautifully complement the introspective tone of the story. Drew, the main character, is so consumed by her pain that she spends much of the book unable to see the way forward. Her growth comes only near the end, making it all the more impactful as a story of healing and self-discovery.
At its heart, this book explores what it means to heal from a life of over-accommodating others and rediscover personal boundaries. If you see yourself in Drew, this book will resonate deeply. If you know someone like Drew, it offers invaluable insight into their inner world.
Ulrikson's storytelling is thoughtful and heartfelt, making Behind the Red Wooden Door an emotionally rewarding read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews