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Parallel Lines: Book One of the Three Lives Trilogy
In the 1970s, beautiful but unhappy Celia Roxby Smith reaches a crisis in her life and seeks help from a famous psychiatrist. During her intense sessions, she reveals a painful past that includes a bleak childhood in the postwar fifties, neglect from her parents at home in Oxford, and constant bullying received while at boarding school.
Now Celia is in her thirties and finds herself in a tragic and loveless marriage that resembles the same one her parents had. She sees frightening parallels between the past and present events of her life and is desperate to break away from her abusive and controlling husband. With the help of her psychiatrist and her new lover, she takes the first steps toward freedom and independence. But a shocking turn of events changes everything and leaves more questions than answers.
As intense as it is real, Parallel Lines is the first book in the Three Lives Trilogy. Author Jane McCulloch permeates this absorbing story with deeply relatable characters and situations that will appeal to fans of Daphne du Maurier, Elizabeth Jane Howard, and Nicholas Sparks, along with anyone struggling to find their way in life.
Now Celia is in her thirties and finds herself in a tragic and loveless marriage that resembles the same one her parents had. She sees frightening parallels between the past and present events of her life and is desperate to break away from her abusive and controlling husband. With the help of her psychiatrist and her new lover, she takes the first steps toward freedom and independence. But a shocking turn of events changes everything and leaves more questions than answers.
As intense as it is real, Parallel Lines is the first book in the Three Lives Trilogy. Author Jane McCulloch permeates this absorbing story with deeply relatable characters and situations that will appeal to fans of Daphne du Maurier, Elizabeth Jane Howard, and Nicholas Sparks, along with anyone struggling to find their way in life.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2014
2 people want to read
About the author
Jane McCulloch
24 books2 followersAfter leaving drama school I worked as a writer and director of theatre and opera. Two years ago I retired from theatre work and now my time is occupied in writing. The first book of my THREE LIVES TRILOGY was published in January 2015. The second book, TRIANGLES IN SQUARES will be published in October 2015. I have also recently published an anthology of poems, BETWEEN SANITY AND MADNESS. All these publications are available on Amazon.co.uk and have received many 5* reviews.
I have a website which contains information about me and my books, and also a weekly blog and a monthly newsletter.
I live in London and have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.
I have a website which contains information about me and my books, and also a weekly blog and a monthly newsletter.
I live in London and have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 31, 2015
I started this book with trepidation as my preferred genre is Mystery but after the first page I was captured. I felt I was gazing into a very private history. An intimate memoir, a secret. I felt angry with the heroine, then pitied her, then rooted in her corner. I was taken on an emotional roller coaster and after all isn't that why we read fiction? Read it. Indulge yourself. The writing is clear and visual without purple prose. I would like to re-read it as an audio book or dramatisation.
August 14, 2018
Compelling novel of family relationships
If I said I had read this book in a single sitting I would be lying, but I almost did it! I found it totally compelling and put it down very reluctantly in order to meet my daily obligations.
This book is the first in the author’s ‘The Three Lives’ trilogy and provides a searing portrayal of family relationships which will be continued in the next two books.
Jane McCulloch has enjoyed a successful career directing theatre and opera, and running her own theatre company, of which Dame Judi Dench is the President. During this time she has tried to include writing fiction but it had taken a back seat until she decided to concentrate on this in 2014. All I can say is that I am delighted she has done so.
The novel is the story of Celia Foxby Smith (nee Maddington) who is the wife of George, Headmaster of Civolds’ Public School, and daughter of Audrey and Bernard. To the outside world she is a glamorous woman in her early thirties, but beneath that persona she is depressed, insecure and deeply lacking in confidence.
The story is told mostly through Celia’s accounts of her sessions with Dr Strutter, a psychiatrist whom she visits in London, much to her husband’s chagrin. Celia has identified parallel patterns of behaviour which cross the generations and in which she feels trapped.
McCulloch is a great writer, her characters are described in often chilling detail, and their behaviours told without censorship, which draws the reader into the sheer misery and sadness of Celia’s life. The author treats Celia sympathetically but the other characters don’t always come out of it that well.
Beautifully written, McCulloch has a deep understanding of relationships as well as the ability to bring them convincingly alive on the printed page. I have already started book two and so expect to see my review of that very soon.
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
If I said I had read this book in a single sitting I would be lying, but I almost did it! I found it totally compelling and put it down very reluctantly in order to meet my daily obligations.
This book is the first in the author’s ‘The Three Lives’ trilogy and provides a searing portrayal of family relationships which will be continued in the next two books.
Jane McCulloch has enjoyed a successful career directing theatre and opera, and running her own theatre company, of which Dame Judi Dench is the President. During this time she has tried to include writing fiction but it had taken a back seat until she decided to concentrate on this in 2014. All I can say is that I am delighted she has done so.
The novel is the story of Celia Foxby Smith (nee Maddington) who is the wife of George, Headmaster of Civolds’ Public School, and daughter of Audrey and Bernard. To the outside world she is a glamorous woman in her early thirties, but beneath that persona she is depressed, insecure and deeply lacking in confidence.
The story is told mostly through Celia’s accounts of her sessions with Dr Strutter, a psychiatrist whom she visits in London, much to her husband’s chagrin. Celia has identified parallel patterns of behaviour which cross the generations and in which she feels trapped.
McCulloch is a great writer, her characters are described in often chilling detail, and their behaviours told without censorship, which draws the reader into the sheer misery and sadness of Celia’s life. The author treats Celia sympathetically but the other characters don’t always come out of it that well.
Beautifully written, McCulloch has a deep understanding of relationships as well as the ability to bring them convincingly alive on the printed page. I have already started book two and so expect to see my review of that very soon.
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
May 14, 2021
Have now read all the books in the trilogy snd liked the story but found I loathed all the characters!
July 26, 2024
The first of a trilogy, I’m looking forward to the next two. Well worth a read…..
May 28, 2016
I really enjoyed this novel, well written and difficult to put down. I look forward to reading the next two in the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews