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Subliminal: Fantasy, Anxiety, Suspicion
Frustrated with his marriage and his job, Peter Salter's view on the future is pessimistic almost to the extreme. But holding him back from doing something he might regret are his eight-year old twins, Laura and Matthew, on whom he dotes. In his more agreeable moments, Peter realises that if he and his wife, Angela, are going to have a future then change is necessary. On Angela's suggestion, a move from the anonymity of an estate in Daventry to a delightful thatched cottage in Ashby St Ledgers only five miles away, might be the first adjustment that could hold the otherwise idyllic family together. However, nothing prepares him or the rest of his family for the consequences of a very simple and innocent incident.
Peter works in Manchester and commutes weekly between there and Northamptonshire. One Friday evening when he is on his way home, he offers a university student, Rebecca, a lift. This chance occurrence leads him down many unimaginable but provocative paths that in the end place his and his family's futures in the balance, or so he believes. Each path is very different but there is a common thread that Peter holds onto in the hope that it will eventually prove to be their salvation. 'Subliminal' is a deep psychological thriller steeped in fantasy that introduces incredible experiences into Peter's otherwise ordinary life.
Peter works in Manchester and commutes weekly between there and Northamptonshire. One Friday evening when he is on his way home, he offers a university student, Rebecca, a lift. This chance occurrence leads him down many unimaginable but provocative paths that in the end place his and his family's futures in the balance, or so he believes. Each path is very different but there is a common thread that Peter holds onto in the hope that it will eventually prove to be their salvation. 'Subliminal' is a deep psychological thriller steeped in fantasy that introduces incredible experiences into Peter's otherwise ordinary life.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2015
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March 20, 2015
This novel has an intriguing concept: a mental retreat into fantasies.
Peter is a loving and loyal husband and father but marriage and children came rather too early for both his wife and himself. Now his work takes him away all week, every week. The resulting stress on his marriage and lack of communication about it sets up a scarcely recognised frustration and resentment.
After a shocking accident, Peter's unresolved personal conflict causes his retreat into fantasies. Physically he is little harmed, but he remains in a coma. He is more comfortable living out the stories he has recently read than literally waking up to his real life.
There are many twists and turns in the narrative, keeping the reader fully engaged. The ‘lives’ Peter leads when in the shoes of one of his
characters are only too real to him, especially as there are dramatic challenges and desperate situations to face, whether he is ‘in’ a prehistoric era,
or the first world war. There are four other lives in all, each contributing to Peter’s understanding and possible recovery.
Meantime, his wife must struggle with the consequences and these become increasingly hazardous.
Lovers of fantasy will find this a different read, taking them into historic episodes that contrast with the present day dilemma.
Peter is a loving and loyal husband and father but marriage and children came rather too early for both his wife and himself. Now his work takes him away all week, every week. The resulting stress on his marriage and lack of communication about it sets up a scarcely recognised frustration and resentment.
After a shocking accident, Peter's unresolved personal conflict causes his retreat into fantasies. Physically he is little harmed, but he remains in a coma. He is more comfortable living out the stories he has recently read than literally waking up to his real life.
There are many twists and turns in the narrative, keeping the reader fully engaged. The ‘lives’ Peter leads when in the shoes of one of his
characters are only too real to him, especially as there are dramatic challenges and desperate situations to face, whether he is ‘in’ a prehistoric era,
or the first world war. There are four other lives in all, each contributing to Peter’s understanding and possible recovery.
Meantime, his wife must struggle with the consequences and these become increasingly hazardous.
Lovers of fantasy will find this a different read, taking them into historic episodes that contrast with the present day dilemma.
Displaying 1 of 1 review