Sleepwalking Backwards

by Catherine Zebrowski

The millennium is approaching and 23 year old Amanda, a gifted mathematician and amateur Astronomer, cannot seem to move forward with her life. Her obsession with astronomy and the power of imagination break through boundaries to reveal a family secret her parents, unable to deal with, have never discussed.

344 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2017

Reviews

[M.A. Kropp]

Amanda is 23, gifted at mathematics, teaching at the local university, and living with her fiancé. She has an obsession with astronomy and what some call an overactive imagination. When she and her fiancé break up, she decides to move to a family cabin that she has loved her whole life. Her parents are worried, her fiancé is confused, and an old flame has resurfaced, complicating things even more. Along the way to finding Amanda, she also finds a family secret that her parents have hidden for many years.

This is a complicated story. It is told from the alternation viewpoints of Amanda in the present, and her mother from the past where a tragic accident caused her to have a psychiatric break and become withdrawn and unable to speak. The chapters alternate between the two. Unlike some books with this sort of set-up, it is always clear whose story is being told. And those stories unfold in thin layers, bit by bit.

This isn’t my usual sort of book, but I did enjoy it. It’s a deep glimpse into the fragility of the mind and how deeply a person can be affected by life. It’s also the story of a family divided by secrets, even if they aren’t aware themselves of the divisions. It’s well-written and readable, without a lot of frills. I thought it was a good one.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story moved along well enough. I got a bit depressed at times as the characters are obviously struggling with themselves, their relationships, heavy mental dilemmas... The character Amanda seemed quite selfish at times and it was difficult to even like her. Whereas the character Gloria tore at your heart strings. Same with the male characters. Didn't really care for Peter and his smugness. Thomas brought a sadness. Just my opinions, really doesn't effect what someone else will get from the story...

[M.A. Kropp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda is 23, gifted at mathematics, teaching at the local university, and living with her fiancé. She has an obsession with astronomy and what some call an overactive imagination. When she and her fiancé break up, she decides to move to a family cabin that she has loved her whole life. Her parents are worried, her fiancé is confused, and an old flame has resurfaced, complicating things even more. Along the way to finding Amanda, she also finds a family secret that her parents have hidden for many years.

This is a complicated story. It is told from the alternation viewpoints of Amanda in the present, and her mother from the past where a tragic accident caused her to have a psychiatric break and become withdrawn and unable to speak. The chapters alternate between the two. Unlike some books with this sort of set-up, it is always clear whose story is being told. And those stories unfold in thin layers, bit by bit.

This isn't my usual sort of book, but I did enjoy it. It's a deep glimpse into the fragility of the mind and how deeply a person can be affected by life. It's also the story of a family divided by secrets, even if they aren't aware themselves of the divisions. It's well-written and readable, without a lot of frills. I thought it was a good one.