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The Bottle of Tears
From the #1 bestselling author of The Photographer's Wife and Things We Never Said.
"A deeply moving and ultimately uplifting family drama."
"The twists and turns will have you enthralled."
Suppose your sister had a secret. What if she alone remembered your past? Would you want to know the truth?
Praise for Nick Alexander's Writing
Endearingly funny, bang up to date and spot on the truth -- Red.
Honest, moving, witty and really rather wise -- Time Out.
Wonderfully compelling with a high standard of writing -- Liz Loves Books
A truly riveting read -- Crooks on Books
Penny and Victoria are about as different as two siblings can be, one with a smart London lifestyle, the other struggling to make ends meet.
But they are joined by more than blood, and their shared past is affecting the present more than they realise.
When events begin to tug at the fabric beneath which dark secrets are hidden, the resulting chaos threatens to tear the two families apart.
Could there be aspects of the past that youngest child Penny doesn’t remember?
Could the truth of Marge be more complex than the beloved mother the girls choose to perceive?
And could the true story of Christmas 1975 be the key to understanding Victoria, Marge, and much much more?
"A moving family drama, a tale of siblings, resilience and hope."
"A deeply moving and ultimately uplifting family drama."
"The twists and turns will have you enthralled."
Suppose your sister had a secret. What if she alone remembered your past? Would you want to know the truth?
Praise for Nick Alexander's Writing
Endearingly funny, bang up to date and spot on the truth -- Red.
Honest, moving, witty and really rather wise -- Time Out.
Wonderfully compelling with a high standard of writing -- Liz Loves Books
A truly riveting read -- Crooks on Books
Penny and Victoria are about as different as two siblings can be, one with a smart London lifestyle, the other struggling to make ends meet.
But they are joined by more than blood, and their shared past is affecting the present more than they realise.
When events begin to tug at the fabric beneath which dark secrets are hidden, the resulting chaos threatens to tear the two families apart.
Could there be aspects of the past that youngest child Penny doesn’t remember?
Could the truth of Marge be more complex than the beloved mother the girls choose to perceive?
And could the true story of Christmas 1975 be the key to understanding Victoria, Marge, and much much more?
"A moving family drama, a tale of siblings, resilience and hope."
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2016
2444 people are currently reading
1220 people want to read
About the author
Nick Alexander
32 books659 followersMy novels:
Where Do We Go From Here (2025)
The Imperfection of Us (2023)
Perfectly Ordinary People (2022)
From Something Old (2021)
The Road to Zoe (2020)
You Then, Me Now (2019)
Things We Never Said (2017)
The Bottle of Tears (2016) (also published as Let the Light Shine).
The Other Son (2015)
The Photographer's Wife (2014)
Two novels featuring Hannah:
- The Half-Life of Hannah.
- Other Halves (Dec 2013)
Two novels featuring CC:
- The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend
- The French House (May 2013)
The Fifty Reasons Series, following the life of lovelorn Mark
- 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye
- Sottopassaggio
- Good Thing, Bad Thing
- Better Than Easy
- Sleight Of Hand
And the standalone novel
- 13:55 Eastern Standard Time
The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend, The French House, and The Half-Life of Hannah have all been huge kindle hits, reaching number #1 in Amazon's kindle chart.
I live in the southern French Alps with three mogs (Mangui, Pastel & Pedro) and a very special ferret.
Where Do We Go From Here (2025)
The Imperfection of Us (2023)
Perfectly Ordinary People (2022)
From Something Old (2021)
The Road to Zoe (2020)
You Then, Me Now (2019)
Things We Never Said (2017)
The Bottle of Tears (2016) (also published as Let the Light Shine).
The Other Son (2015)
The Photographer's Wife (2014)
Two novels featuring Hannah:
- The Half-Life of Hannah.
- Other Halves (Dec 2013)
Two novels featuring CC:
- The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend
- The French House (May 2013)
The Fifty Reasons Series, following the life of lovelorn Mark
- 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye
- Sottopassaggio
- Good Thing, Bad Thing
- Better Than Easy
- Sleight Of Hand
And the standalone novel
- 13:55 Eastern Standard Time
The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend, The French House, and The Half-Life of Hannah have all been huge kindle hits, reaching number #1 in Amazon's kindle chart.
I live in the southern French Alps with three mogs (Mangui, Pastel & Pedro) and a very special ferret.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
August 21, 2020
It’s nice to have a ‘go to’ author, someone you can rely on, like putting on an old pair of comfy slippers, or watching Titanic or Gladiator for the 100th time, or sipping a glass of sparkling shiraz. Well, Nick Alexander is that for me, and his offering Bottle of Tears was certainly everything I expected. Great character driven fare, interesting, often confronting themes, not too long or too brief – just right. A real Goldilocks affair.
This story is about two sisters, Penny and Victoria, and their ‘complicated’ relationship. The story begins during Christmas time 1976 when the two were little and living with their single Mother in a seaside town in the UK (not far from where I used to holiday as a wee bairn by the way). Two monumental events occurred during this time, both having massive impacts on each of the girls, impacting their relationships with each other and their interactions with the world in general for years to come.
Alexander takes us back and forth in time; however, we spend most of this story in the present day. Both sisters are married, they have kids, and have totally different lives. They fight like cat and dog, but they love each other to bits. Alexander casts his usual spell with me, I always seem to become emotionally entangled in his stories and the characters he creates.
In addition to following the lives of the characters in this story, Alexander cleverly weaves in a couple of threads where the reader will be drawn into wanting to know – WHAT THE HELL IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE??? In fact, I found it quite suspenseful, and I couldn’t wait for the plot lines to develop and come to some sort of conclusion.
A word of caution, this family tale is not all pillow fights and rivers of chocolate, there are some heavy themes involved – some of them quite confronting. There are also standard themes you can expect to see when marriages and relationships with kids are involved – but because each character is so real, it really seems to matter. To this reader anyway.
This story left me totally satisfied. It was a really enjoyable read.
4 Stars
This story is about two sisters, Penny and Victoria, and their ‘complicated’ relationship. The story begins during Christmas time 1976 when the two were little and living with their single Mother in a seaside town in the UK (not far from where I used to holiday as a wee bairn by the way). Two monumental events occurred during this time, both having massive impacts on each of the girls, impacting their relationships with each other and their interactions with the world in general for years to come.
Alexander takes us back and forth in time; however, we spend most of this story in the present day. Both sisters are married, they have kids, and have totally different lives. They fight like cat and dog, but they love each other to bits. Alexander casts his usual spell with me, I always seem to become emotionally entangled in his stories and the characters he creates.
In addition to following the lives of the characters in this story, Alexander cleverly weaves in a couple of threads where the reader will be drawn into wanting to know – WHAT THE HELL IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE??? In fact, I found it quite suspenseful, and I couldn’t wait for the plot lines to develop and come to some sort of conclusion.
A word of caution, this family tale is not all pillow fights and rivers of chocolate, there are some heavy themes involved – some of them quite confronting. There are also standard themes you can expect to see when marriages and relationships with kids are involved – but because each character is so real, it really seems to matter. To this reader anyway.
This story left me totally satisfied. It was a really enjoyable read.
4 Stars
July 29, 2019
I first discovered this author through his 50 Reasons series, way back in April 2011 just after I got my first Kindle. There was something about his style of writing that just gelled with me and that, combined with his amazing skill at characterisation - both male and female - meant that I've read and thoroughly enjoyed every book he has written since. Including this one which is actually a re-titled, re-release formerly called Let the Light Shine. I re-read this new edition for an updated review.
It's the story of Penny and Victoria, two very different sisters. Penny works hard for her meagre money, undervalued but, at the same time, manages to balance work and life well, occasionally struggling to make ends meet but surviving nonetheless. On the other hand, Victoria is a bit of a mess but appears to have everything she wants/needs. They have a very strained relationship for reasons that neither can really explain, just that something happened when they were children. Something they've never spoken about properly even though it has tainted their every Christmas since 1976. But their past is catapulted into their present when tragedy strikes, forcing the sisters to revisit that time and face up to what really happened that fateful day. Piecing together their differing accounts to get to the raw, brutal truth, but at what cost?
This is a beautifully told story with a wealth of really well drawn characters. I should know by now, but it never ceases to amaze me, that this author has the ability to create really great female characters - really get under their skin and expose what makes them tick. There are three such main characters herein - Penny, Victoria and their mother. There is also a great supporting cast who are all just as well described and who all play their parts - both big and small - very well.
It's hard to say much more about what happens as the layers that are peeled back throughout expose things that really need to be discovered and enjoyed exactly as the author intended. Suffice to say that there are shocks and surprises aplenty along the way.
It's not all doom and gloom along the way, there's also quite a bit of humour which keeps the book balanced throughout. Pacing is also good, the book never drags even during the quieter moments and, I'm pleased to say, there's also no superfluous padding, the story gets on with itself quite nicely throughout.
There's also a point in this book where what happens gave me so much clarity and empowerment, even though my personal situation vastly differs from that of the characters, it gave me something special and for that alone, I thank the author.
All in all, a cracking read that I have no hesitation in recommending for fans of the genre. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
It's the story of Penny and Victoria, two very different sisters. Penny works hard for her meagre money, undervalued but, at the same time, manages to balance work and life well, occasionally struggling to make ends meet but surviving nonetheless. On the other hand, Victoria is a bit of a mess but appears to have everything she wants/needs. They have a very strained relationship for reasons that neither can really explain, just that something happened when they were children. Something they've never spoken about properly even though it has tainted their every Christmas since 1976. But their past is catapulted into their present when tragedy strikes, forcing the sisters to revisit that time and face up to what really happened that fateful day. Piecing together their differing accounts to get to the raw, brutal truth, but at what cost?
This is a beautifully told story with a wealth of really well drawn characters. I should know by now, but it never ceases to amaze me, that this author has the ability to create really great female characters - really get under their skin and expose what makes them tick. There are three such main characters herein - Penny, Victoria and their mother. There is also a great supporting cast who are all just as well described and who all play their parts - both big and small - very well.
It's hard to say much more about what happens as the layers that are peeled back throughout expose things that really need to be discovered and enjoyed exactly as the author intended. Suffice to say that there are shocks and surprises aplenty along the way.
It's not all doom and gloom along the way, there's also quite a bit of humour which keeps the book balanced throughout. Pacing is also good, the book never drags even during the quieter moments and, I'm pleased to say, there's also no superfluous padding, the story gets on with itself quite nicely throughout.
There's also a point in this book where what happens gave me so much clarity and empowerment, even though my personal situation vastly differs from that of the characters, it gave me something special and for that alone, I thank the author.
All in all, a cracking read that I have no hesitation in recommending for fans of the genre. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
June 21, 2019
If I could rate The Bottle of Tears more than five stars then I would.
The book just felt so real for me. Lots of things reminded me of my life growing up, of falling out with my sister so much growing up.and of losing someone before you got the chance to tell them how you feel.
Reading this book has come at the right time in my life, so I thank you Nick Alexander for such a brilliant read.
The book just felt so real for me. Lots of things reminded me of my life growing up, of falling out with my sister so much growing up.and of losing someone before you got the chance to tell them how you feel.
Reading this book has come at the right time in my life, so I thank you Nick Alexander for such a brilliant read.
January 7, 2017
I stopped reading this after the third chapter. The start was interesting but things tailed off quickly. The author tempted me at the start with this old family incident which seemed to lurk at the back of everyone's minds but then made me lose interest by giving me pages of petty family squabbles and depressed characters. Sadly not for me.
January 17, 2017
I've read a number of books by Nich Alexander but I think this one is by far the best. I liked the characters who were written in a very real way and I liked the way the story unfolded. It seemed to me that though the story is more shocking than the things that happen to most people Nick Alexander told the story well without making it sordid. It also showed how life can be full of misunderstandings but the story left you feeling optimistic for Penny and Victoria. Well worth reading
August 25, 2019
Take two disparate sisters, several slightly confused teenagers, an interfering mother and two often bewildered spouses and you have the good bones of a novel. Add an unfolding series of flashbacks which eventually collide in spectacular fashion with a secret held fiercely for decades and you have a book that's hard to put down.
September 30, 2016
This is another stunning story from Nick Alexander.
Two sisters, chalk and cheese, or at least on the surface, with wildly differing lives, struggle to find common ground, especially around holiday times like Christmas, which is a flashpoint for them since childhood. Their mother Marge is a cranky and frankly manipulative woman that it's easy to dislike, but as the tale progresses you get the strong feeling that there is a lot more to all three women than you know.
As the book moves towards its climax and the mysteries are revealed, they are bathed in constant threads of light and colour, from the descriptions of the physical surroundings to the perfectly accurate depictions of the supporting cast of characters. The sheer craft and beauty of Nick's writing lifts what could have potentially been a quite dark novel into the realms of one that you will want to keep around for numerous re-reads.
Faultless.
Two sisters, chalk and cheese, or at least on the surface, with wildly differing lives, struggle to find common ground, especially around holiday times like Christmas, which is a flashpoint for them since childhood. Their mother Marge is a cranky and frankly manipulative woman that it's easy to dislike, but as the tale progresses you get the strong feeling that there is a lot more to all three women than you know.
As the book moves towards its climax and the mysteries are revealed, they are bathed in constant threads of light and colour, from the descriptions of the physical surroundings to the perfectly accurate depictions of the supporting cast of characters. The sheer craft and beauty of Nick's writing lifts what could have potentially been a quite dark novel into the realms of one that you will want to keep around for numerous re-reads.
Faultless.
February 19, 2017
It's so difficult for me to rate this novel. I appreciate that it's very well written and a great portrayal of this dysfunctional family but the subject matter makes for very uncomfortable reading and it was fairly predictable once the reader had got to know the characters. Glad I didn't abandon it but I didn't enjoy it either........ 3 stars!
August 24, 2019
With thanks to Netgalley and Amazon for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
The tragic events of Christmas Eve 1976 affected the lives of Marge and her daughter Vicki. On Christmas Eve Marge had a terrible row with her brother Cyril. Shortly afterwards Vicki and her older brother Ed were playing sliding down the banister. Ed slid off the banister on to the hall floor killing him instantly.
In the present day younger sibling Penny was married to once famous artist Sanders. Penny and Sanders had two children Chloe and Max. The family were struggling because Sanders refused to get a proper job and instead smoked pot all day.
Vicki had a wealthy husband called Martin and a son called Bertie. Vicki was suffering from the effects of the menopause, OCD and addicted to valium. Due to Vicki`s mood swings Bertie was unhappy at home and wanted to live with Penny and her family.
Although weak after a stroke Marge was still the matriarch of the family. However behind the scenes she was manipulative and caused animosity between the scenes.
After the death of Marge, Vicki slowly starts to explain what happened that Christmas eve.
The subject matter of The Bottle of Tears was disturbing at times. The plotline was skilfully woven with interesting characters.
Marge was a nasty manipulative woman who didn't deserve her daughters love. She was very clever and she knew what poison to drop to catch a nerve. I liked Penny but I felt like shouting at the page when Penny and Vicki rowed during the family dinner. I also liked Sanders and was glad when he got his artistic inspiration back.
I had to laugh when Vicki cleaned Penny`s kitchen during a bout of insominia. To be fair I could understand why Penny felt insulted by this. I guessed Bertie`s secret and I just wanted to hug him. I also liked Martin who seemed to still love Vicki despite her problems.
I recommend this book and will look for more books by Nick Alexander.
The tragic events of Christmas Eve 1976 affected the lives of Marge and her daughter Vicki. On Christmas Eve Marge had a terrible row with her brother Cyril. Shortly afterwards Vicki and her older brother Ed were playing sliding down the banister. Ed slid off the banister on to the hall floor killing him instantly.
In the present day younger sibling Penny was married to once famous artist Sanders. Penny and Sanders had two children Chloe and Max. The family were struggling because Sanders refused to get a proper job and instead smoked pot all day.
Vicki had a wealthy husband called Martin and a son called Bertie. Vicki was suffering from the effects of the menopause, OCD and addicted to valium. Due to Vicki`s mood swings Bertie was unhappy at home and wanted to live with Penny and her family.
Although weak after a stroke Marge was still the matriarch of the family. However behind the scenes she was manipulative and caused animosity between the scenes.
After the death of Marge, Vicki slowly starts to explain what happened that Christmas eve.
The subject matter of The Bottle of Tears was disturbing at times. The plotline was skilfully woven with interesting characters.
Marge was a nasty manipulative woman who didn't deserve her daughters love. She was very clever and she knew what poison to drop to catch a nerve. I liked Penny but I felt like shouting at the page when Penny and Vicki rowed during the family dinner. I also liked Sanders and was glad when he got his artistic inspiration back.
I had to laugh when Vicki cleaned Penny`s kitchen during a bout of insominia. To be fair I could understand why Penny felt insulted by this. I guessed Bertie`s secret and I just wanted to hug him. I also liked Martin who seemed to still love Vicki despite her problems.
I recommend this book and will look for more books by Nick Alexander.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2020
3.5 stars
This started off so brilliantly, I thought I had another 4* book in my hands (on rather, on my kindle). Excellent writing, interesting plot, engaging characters....all quite wonderful.
What lets this book down, as is so often the case, is the ending. From about 3/4 of the way through, when we start finding out What Happened, it all gets a bit been-there-seen-it-done-it, and then frankly a little bit ludicrous as one Terrible Thing is piled on top of another. Authors really do need to get away from the this idea that they have to SHOCK us with AMAZING TWISTS - it's not necessary at all. This would have been a much more powerful novel had the author revealed something less dramatic and cliched.
Apart from that, though, very good indeed.
This started off so brilliantly, I thought I had another 4* book in my hands (on rather, on my kindle). Excellent writing, interesting plot, engaging characters....all quite wonderful.
What lets this book down, as is so often the case, is the ending. From about 3/4 of the way through, when we start finding out What Happened, it all gets a bit been-there-seen-it-done-it, and then frankly a little bit ludicrous as one Terrible Thing is piled on top of another. Authors really do need to get away from the this idea that they have to SHOCK us with AMAZING TWISTS - it's not necessary at all. This would have been a much more powerful novel had the author revealed something less dramatic and cliched.
Apart from that, though, very good indeed.
October 4, 2016
As expected!
Ive loved all Nicks books and this was no exception.
Beautifully written with a true understanding of how families function/disfunction.
Only criticism is Nicks books need to be War and Peace length....then I wouldnt finish them in two days!!
Ive loved all Nicks books and this was no exception.
Beautifully written with a true understanding of how families function/disfunction.
Only criticism is Nicks books need to be War and Peace length....then I wouldnt finish them in two days!!
June 21, 2021
Trauma overload.
I picked up this book because I love sister stories and arcs. Unfortunately, this one had little in way of story line or plot to make me stay emotionally engaged.
There was a lot of darkness. Warnings for sexual abuse, homophobia, and narcissistic personality traits. Put early in review on purpose since I wasn't expecting some of those themes.
The writing is technically sound and is easy to get through on that level. However, there are really few characters to root since the adults are all truly terrible people when it comes to the other kids. And somewhat flat, even when revealing hidden truths. And there are many. So many. Dynasty levels.
Not bad. Not good. Decent for a KindleUnlimited loan.
I picked up this book because I love sister stories and arcs. Unfortunately, this one had little in way of story line or plot to make me stay emotionally engaged.
There was a lot of darkness. Warnings for sexual abuse, homophobia, and narcissistic personality traits. Put early in review on purpose since I wasn't expecting some of those themes.
The writing is technically sound and is easy to get through on that level. However, there are really few characters to root since the adults are all truly terrible people when it comes to the other kids. And somewhat flat, even when revealing hidden truths. And there are many. So many. Dynasty levels.
Not bad. Not good. Decent for a KindleUnlimited loan.
June 15, 2022
I am rating this a 3.75 *
This book waa good. I enjoyed it. However, one of the secrets was predictable - even I guessed it early on in the story. The other secret, though, was notand I am pleased with how the response to that discovery was slowly revealed and taken by the other characters in the book.
This is the first book I have read that has the type of characters it did, and focused on certain aspects of hardship such as addicted, financial problems and identity crisis'.
This book waa good. I enjoyed it. However, one of the secrets was predictable - even I guessed it early on in the story. The other secret, though, was notand I am pleased with how the response to that discovery was slowly revealed and taken by the other characters in the book.
This is the first book I have read that has the type of characters it did, and focused on certain aspects of hardship such as addicted, financial problems and identity crisis'.
February 22, 2021
Longer than necessary
I did enjoy this book, however felt it went on a bit and could have easily been made a bit shorter and got to the point a bit quicker. But overall wasn’t too bad
I did enjoy this book, however felt it went on a bit and could have easily been made a bit shorter and got to the point a bit quicker. But overall wasn’t too bad
February 6, 2022
Nick Alexander is one of my 'go to' authors when I'm not sure what to read next. His books are real and heartfelt and I haven't been disappointed yet.
February 9, 2022
Covers many up to date topics and relationships. Not at all heavy going but enjoyable.
June 19, 2019
The Bottle of Tears is the first book I’ve picked up this year which felt distinctly like a Summer read. Set in both London and the Kent coast, we sway between the accounts of sisters Penny and Victoria as they slowly, angrily, painfully, drive memories of one terrible Christmas to a bubbling surface. These terrible recollections are buried deep, and with the interference of their inexplicably manipulative and meddling mother who seems set on pitting the sisters against one another, communication is lacking and answers do not come until very late in the narrative. For that reason, much of the novel’s tension comes from the fact that the sisters naturally clash – Penny is a financially struggling psychologist who cannot persuade her artist-cum-stoner husband to keep house, whereas OCD-prone Victoria plays housewife to her incredibly wealthy husband while nursing a badly hidden Valium addiction. Throw in Marge, their mysteriously malicious mother, whispering falsehoods in both sets of ears, and there is more than enough venom to spit across the table at a dinner party without the presence of That Christmas.
Full review is available on my blog HERE: https://aridd3ll.wordpress.com/2019/0...
Full review is available on my blog HERE: https://aridd3ll.wordpress.com/2019/0...
August 4, 2019
Meet Penny and Victoria, two sisters who are locked in sibling jealousy and rivalry as single mum Marge, now an elderly lady, continues to play one off against the other causing no end of psychological damage and emotional trauma. This started way back in Margate with the girls growing up and when their brother Ed was around. Enter Uncle Cecil who truly does upset the balance one Christmas Eve with devastating consequences.
This story explores the complexity of family relationships the love and ties that bind us and how our memories of the same event can be so very different. The impact of that fateful Christmas Eve leaves one sister with an addiction to Valium and OCD and an adolescent boy struggling with his sexuality in a family who is so caught up in their own issues it is heartbreaking to witness the isolation and despair.
The story alternates between Whitstable and Maida Vale. Throw in the husbands, each very different and each struggling to find their place in the world and you end up with a poignant story that is extremely readable.
I haven't come across Nick Alexander before but I will definitely be looking out for other books he has written.
Thanks again to publisher, author and NetGalley.
This story explores the complexity of family relationships the love and ties that bind us and how our memories of the same event can be so very different. The impact of that fateful Christmas Eve leaves one sister with an addiction to Valium and OCD and an adolescent boy struggling with his sexuality in a family who is so caught up in their own issues it is heartbreaking to witness the isolation and despair.
The story alternates between Whitstable and Maida Vale. Throw in the husbands, each very different and each struggling to find their place in the world and you end up with a poignant story that is extremely readable.
I haven't come across Nick Alexander before but I will definitely be looking out for other books he has written.
Thanks again to publisher, author and NetGalley.
June 14, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
This is a wonderful book, I loved it!
The story starts Christmas 1975 with Marge, the mother, and her three children welcome back Uncle Cecil, who brightens their lives with treats and presents. But something horrendous occurs, and Uncle Cecil leaves not to be seen for 40 years.
Fast forward to today and we meet Penny and Victoria, the two daughters, and their families. Penny doesn't remember much about that fateful Christmas, but Victoria has spent her life still reeling from that day, addicted to Valium, as she fights OCD and worried about her son Bertie.
Marge, Penny and Victoria are planning their Christmas dinner, a contentious affair that ends up with the two sisters not speaking.
Penny is the most likeable, but I did get impatient with the way she allows her husband to squander his life away while she works hard and worries about paying their bills. Marge is quite a nasty character, I felt she needed a good slap. Victoria is a train wreck barely hanging on.
As events unfold, it's impossible to put the book down...
Sad, moving and thoughtful, with a very satisfying ending, I highly recommend this book.
This is a wonderful book, I loved it!
The story starts Christmas 1975 with Marge, the mother, and her three children welcome back Uncle Cecil, who brightens their lives with treats and presents. But something horrendous occurs, and Uncle Cecil leaves not to be seen for 40 years.
Fast forward to today and we meet Penny and Victoria, the two daughters, and their families. Penny doesn't remember much about that fateful Christmas, but Victoria has spent her life still reeling from that day, addicted to Valium, as she fights OCD and worried about her son Bertie.
Marge, Penny and Victoria are planning their Christmas dinner, a contentious affair that ends up with the two sisters not speaking.
Penny is the most likeable, but I did get impatient with the way she allows her husband to squander his life away while she works hard and worries about paying their bills. Marge is quite a nasty character, I felt she needed a good slap. Victoria is a train wreck barely hanging on.
As events unfold, it's impossible to put the book down...
Sad, moving and thoughtful, with a very satisfying ending, I highly recommend this book.
August 9, 2019
I have read and enjoyed Nick Alexander's previous books so was looking forward to reading this one. I wasn't disappointed. So beautifully written, I loved this book.
A fantastic story of complex family relationships, sadness, secrets, lies , deceit, manipulation and hidden secrets. A gripping story - I found it difficult to put down. Great characterisation, well paced with twists and turns along the way and a satisfying conclusion. Heartwarming but so sad too, this book did make me cry in places but also laugh in places too.
Highly recommended, I also highly recommend all of Nick's previous books too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
A fantastic story of complex family relationships, sadness, secrets, lies , deceit, manipulation and hidden secrets. A gripping story - I found it difficult to put down. Great characterisation, well paced with twists and turns along the way and a satisfying conclusion. Heartwarming but so sad too, this book did make me cry in places but also laugh in places too.
Highly recommended, I also highly recommend all of Nick's previous books too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2020
One of my stand-out reads for 2020. Fabulous portrait of personal and family secrets.
I had this one on my iPad for a while and to be honest the title kind of put me off given all the disaster we’d been bombarded with in Australia this summer, but oh my god, what a fantastic book!
This is a fabulous portrait of personal and family secrets and how we shape history to suit ourselves. Nick Alexander lets the personalities and family life unfold as the story moves forward and I found my emotions completly engaged, liking and loathing various characters as more was revealed.
If you like stories of flawed and fractured families, you’ll love this one.
I had this one on my iPad for a while and to be honest the title kind of put me off given all the disaster we’d been bombarded with in Australia this summer, but oh my god, what a fantastic book!
This is a fabulous portrait of personal and family secrets and how we shape history to suit ourselves. Nick Alexander lets the personalities and family life unfold as the story moves forward and I found my emotions completly engaged, liking and loathing various characters as more was revealed.
If you like stories of flawed and fractured families, you’ll love this one.
January 12, 2020
Not an easy read by any means, but by the end the struggle was worth it. Family drama, especially between two grown sisters who have struggled with their relationship for years. Some heavy and disturbing topics are raised, and dealt with by Mr Alexander. Still have no idea why this was grouped together with two of his other books, where there is nothing whatsoever they have in common.
March 29, 2020
This was an interesting read. Loved the title of the book and how it got explained. There were some interesting and quirky characters- and some downright frustrating. I have enjoyed all the books I have read from this author and have several more on my to be read list.
October 17, 2022
Trigger warning: sexual abuse, suicide, drugs
The Bottle of Tears is a story about two sisters polarized by their past and a secret that only one of them knew. They were being pulled apart by their differences but their primal connection pushed them back together. This tug-of-war was shrouded with overwhelming emotions that could only be overcome by facing the truth. The Bottle of Tears is a window to a family quandary caused by childhood trauma.
Victoria's attitude toward her mother, sister, husband, son, and other relatives and friends enkindled questions that she avoided answering. Even though she numbed herself with medications, the truth wanted to come out.
On the other hand, Penny was left in the dark so her reactions to Victoria's proclivities added more fuel to the fire. Their mother also tried to widen the gap between them by inciting misunderstanding but, in the end, she became the tug that loosened the string of the bag full of resentment and pain.
Finally, the truth came out. Victoria’s burden lightened but Penny had the bigger blow that led to their falling out again. After not being on speaking terms for a year, they got together with more acceptance, openness, and understanding that there would always be a time they would stay away from each other but their sisterly love would always link them together. There was a light, a symbol of redemption and hope, but it was only a faint light.
Reading The Bottle of Tears felt like a big, dark cloud had been hanging over me. The author strongly established the splintered relationship between the two sisters and their mother, however, the constant churning of negative emotions in most of the scenes was overwhelming. I needed to go to the surface of this ocean of heavy emotions to give myself time to breathe. In my own opinion, the book was not a page-turner.
The Bottle of Tears is for readers who love realistic, deep family drama.
The Bottle of Tears is a story about two sisters polarized by their past and a secret that only one of them knew. They were being pulled apart by their differences but their primal connection pushed them back together. This tug-of-war was shrouded with overwhelming emotions that could only be overcome by facing the truth. The Bottle of Tears is a window to a family quandary caused by childhood trauma.
Victoria's attitude toward her mother, sister, husband, son, and other relatives and friends enkindled questions that she avoided answering. Even though she numbed herself with medications, the truth wanted to come out.
On the other hand, Penny was left in the dark so her reactions to Victoria's proclivities added more fuel to the fire. Their mother also tried to widen the gap between them by inciting misunderstanding but, in the end, she became the tug that loosened the string of the bag full of resentment and pain.
Finally, the truth came out. Victoria’s burden lightened but Penny had the bigger blow that led to their falling out again. After not being on speaking terms for a year, they got together with more acceptance, openness, and understanding that there would always be a time they would stay away from each other but their sisterly love would always link them together. There was a light, a symbol of redemption and hope, but it was only a faint light.
Reading The Bottle of Tears felt like a big, dark cloud had been hanging over me. The author strongly established the splintered relationship between the two sisters and their mother, however, the constant churning of negative emotions in most of the scenes was overwhelming. I needed to go to the surface of this ocean of heavy emotions to give myself time to breathe. In my own opinion, the book was not a page-turner.
The Bottle of Tears is for readers who love realistic, deep family drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
Sister drama. Mother drama. Family secrets.
This is the first novel I have read by Nick Alexander, and I always hate to say that I enjoyed reading about someone else’s pain. Beautifully written, there is an empathy that I felt for both sisters, and a despise for their manipulative mother that feeds on their codependent relationships. I could relate to much of what both sisters feel as the daughter of a similar mother, who loves to “stir the pot” and cause friction between siblings.
The sisters are in their mid to late 40s and very different. Vickey, the older sister, is well off, married to a successful attorney, while Penny, the younger, is struggling to make ends meet as the sole bread-winner with her dope smoking, artist husband, who is way past his 15 minutes of fame. Their mother Marge, knows just how to pull each girl's strings, and maintain the upper hand controlling their relationship.
Each sister has a secret that has haunted them from childhood, and the author gives us just enough clues throughout the story to keep us reading without disrupting the final outcome. The story begins on Christmas Eve, Vicky, 8 years old, and Penny, 5, experience a double dose of trauma, which presents the revolving conflict of the story, the death of their brother, Ed and their Uncle Cecile disappearing from their lives.
Vicky and Penny emerge from childhood as two people so different, that conflict seems to be the only way the two can communicate. Can the girls escape the toxic past, overcome their biases toward each other, and learn to move forward? With addiction and mental health taking a key role in establishing the plot, this story is relevant and timely.
This is the first novel I have read by Nick Alexander, and I always hate to say that I enjoyed reading about someone else’s pain. Beautifully written, there is an empathy that I felt for both sisters, and a despise for their manipulative mother that feeds on their codependent relationships. I could relate to much of what both sisters feel as the daughter of a similar mother, who loves to “stir the pot” and cause friction between siblings.
The sisters are in their mid to late 40s and very different. Vickey, the older sister, is well off, married to a successful attorney, while Penny, the younger, is struggling to make ends meet as the sole bread-winner with her dope smoking, artist husband, who is way past his 15 minutes of fame. Their mother Marge, knows just how to pull each girl's strings, and maintain the upper hand controlling their relationship.
Each sister has a secret that has haunted them from childhood, and the author gives us just enough clues throughout the story to keep us reading without disrupting the final outcome. The story begins on Christmas Eve, Vicky, 8 years old, and Penny, 5, experience a double dose of trauma, which presents the revolving conflict of the story, the death of their brother, Ed and their Uncle Cecile disappearing from their lives.
Vicky and Penny emerge from childhood as two people so different, that conflict seems to be the only way the two can communicate. Can the girls escape the toxic past, overcome their biases toward each other, and learn to move forward? With addiction and mental health taking a key role in establishing the plot, this story is relevant and timely.
October 4, 2023
A tale of two sisters. How many of us can relate to this book! Even if the family situations aren't the same, there is a universality about this book. And as is often the case, it is secrets which can rip families apart, not to mention manipulative parents. This would be a very interesting book for a Book Club..I can imagine all the family stories coming out of the woodwork. It would be like an Encounter session.
And how clever is Nick Alexander. His dialogue puts you right in the picture. You can feel the tension jumping out of the words. Flashbacks are handled well too, blending seamlessly into the story.
There are a great many issues covered in this book. I can't discuss them all without revealing too much. The author has researched menopause extensively, drug use and abuse, sibling rivalry, refugees, immigration, sexual orientation. There is not much that escapes scrutiny, just like in real life. A lot of taboos are blown apart.
It is also interesting the way he has juxtaposed the life/work balance of the two sisters and their partners. And the relative wealth of the two families compared with their happiness index. Lots of food for thought.
Most of all the book is about tolerance, acceptance and compassion..Knowing how to forgive and move on. Knowing that even if there are dark episodes in your past you can still have a meaningful life, with some help from your friends, and in these families, the relevant professionals..
And how clever is Nick Alexander. His dialogue puts you right in the picture. You can feel the tension jumping out of the words. Flashbacks are handled well too, blending seamlessly into the story.
There are a great many issues covered in this book. I can't discuss them all without revealing too much. The author has researched menopause extensively, drug use and abuse, sibling rivalry, refugees, immigration, sexual orientation. There is not much that escapes scrutiny, just like in real life. A lot of taboos are blown apart.
It is also interesting the way he has juxtaposed the life/work balance of the two sisters and their partners. And the relative wealth of the two families compared with their happiness index. Lots of food for thought.
Most of all the book is about tolerance, acceptance and compassion..Knowing how to forgive and move on. Knowing that even if there are dark episodes in your past you can still have a meaningful life, with some help from your friends, and in these families, the relevant professionals..
August 22, 2020
I needed to read this book!!!
I'm grateful Nick Alexander shared this story, that I found it and was able to read it!!! Not only was it written in such a vividly real manner, with each character uniquely able to become known as a whole person, warts and all, but it was a insightful journey of Life and the many obstacles we all encounter throughout each stage. The lasting damage an unresolved childhood trauma can have on every aspect of ourselves. How all involved in that childhood experience are affected so differently, never actually being able to understand how skewed and different our loved ones realities are and yet each of them are valid. It's also a blueprint for a journey of how to overcome and heal yourself and these precious relationships that have been unknowingly knocked off track by your childhood experiences.
This author has written an amazing story that gave me insight into how to find my own truth and reconciliation, even though my reality wasn't identical. Thank you, Nick Alexander!!! You've uncorked my own "Bottle of Tears" (absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this bit!!!) And given me Hope and the ability to Forgive, and a path to follow to Healing!!!
And above all, your characters invoked real life throughout- the Joy, the struggles, the mundane, the misunderstandings, the desire to please and belong, and the humour we need to carry on!!!
I'm grateful Nick Alexander shared this story, that I found it and was able to read it!!! Not only was it written in such a vividly real manner, with each character uniquely able to become known as a whole person, warts and all, but it was a insightful journey of Life and the many obstacles we all encounter throughout each stage. The lasting damage an unresolved childhood trauma can have on every aspect of ourselves. How all involved in that childhood experience are affected so differently, never actually being able to understand how skewed and different our loved ones realities are and yet each of them are valid. It's also a blueprint for a journey of how to overcome and heal yourself and these precious relationships that have been unknowingly knocked off track by your childhood experiences.
This author has written an amazing story that gave me insight into how to find my own truth and reconciliation, even though my reality wasn't identical. Thank you, Nick Alexander!!! You've uncorked my own "Bottle of Tears" (absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this bit!!!) And given me Hope and the ability to Forgive, and a path to follow to Healing!!!
And above all, your characters invoked real life throughout- the Joy, the struggles, the mundane, the misunderstandings, the desire to please and belong, and the humour we need to carry on!!!
April 2, 2025
Wowza what a page turner. Almost read it in one sitting.
Sisters Penny & Victoria, together with their mother Marge dislike Christmas as it brings back too many bad memories. However, they made a pact that they would always spend Christmas together to remember the year of 1976 when tragedy struck their family.
There is tension between the two sisters, one is highly successful and works hard being the main breadwinner, whilst they other has it all as her husband earns enough for her to do whatever she likes.
The relationship is tense and right from the outset we can see that they have had issues over the years but you just think it’s because of their respective lifestyles.
However, something sinister happened in the year 1976 and each has their own memories of what exactly happened.
The novel is written through the eyes of both Victoria and Penny and we are taken back to that fateful Christmas in titbits throughout and when you think you know what the twist is going to be, it raises its head and goes nah!
It was quite thought provoking as there must be sisters out there who don’t see eye to eye and it’s written so well you can almost get how you might be able to reach an understanding with an estranged sibling (even if it’s not the same history of events).
I took it too heart.
Sisters Penny & Victoria, together with their mother Marge dislike Christmas as it brings back too many bad memories. However, they made a pact that they would always spend Christmas together to remember the year of 1976 when tragedy struck their family.
There is tension between the two sisters, one is highly successful and works hard being the main breadwinner, whilst they other has it all as her husband earns enough for her to do whatever she likes.
The relationship is tense and right from the outset we can see that they have had issues over the years but you just think it’s because of their respective lifestyles.
However, something sinister happened in the year 1976 and each has their own memories of what exactly happened.
The novel is written through the eyes of both Victoria and Penny and we are taken back to that fateful Christmas in titbits throughout and when you think you know what the twist is going to be, it raises its head and goes nah!
It was quite thought provoking as there must be sisters out there who don’t see eye to eye and it’s written so well you can almost get how you might be able to reach an understanding with an estranged sibling (even if it’s not the same history of events).
I took it too heart.
August 17, 2020
A little slow to start with but the mystery of the childhood tragedy and why Uncle Cecil vanished from their lives kept me reading. I guessed to a fair extent what was coming regarding this and the issue with Bertie, Victoria's teenage son who was having a lot of angst and anti-parent attitude.
However, the real dramas were described so well that I could relate to them, both the loss of one character and the reveal by the other.
Nick Alexander writes the female characters with a tremendous depth of understanding and insight. I began to think Nick stood for Nichola!
If you are a woman of a certain age, you will definitely relate to what these 2 sisters are going through and if you spend Christmases with your extended family with all the drama that entails then you will definitely relate to this novel
Yes, there are annoying characters and frustrating behaviours but that's how life is. It may not be your family but I bet you know families with that kind of dysfunction and drama.
I didn't cry a bottle of tears but I felt many emotions during the reading of this book and can recommend it if you like that sort of thing.
However, the real dramas were described so well that I could relate to them, both the loss of one character and the reveal by the other.
Nick Alexander writes the female characters with a tremendous depth of understanding and insight. I began to think Nick stood for Nichola!
If you are a woman of a certain age, you will definitely relate to what these 2 sisters are going through and if you spend Christmases with your extended family with all the drama that entails then you will definitely relate to this novel
Yes, there are annoying characters and frustrating behaviours but that's how life is. It may not be your family but I bet you know families with that kind of dysfunction and drama.
I didn't cry a bottle of tears but I felt many emotions during the reading of this book and can recommend it if you like that sort of thing.
March 5, 2021
Eh, also a 3.5 stars book, but this time I rounded up.
I really liked some of the subtleties of the dynamics of each family, whether it was between the spouses or the parents and children. The author didn't even address a lot of it, just sort of showed some aspects and then let it hang there, which is probably actually pretty realistic since a lot of things in real life aren't resolved nice & neat the way they are in a book or movie.
I was also pretty invested in getting the full story about what happened in their past.
MINOR spoiler: What I didn't like about this book, what probably stopped it from being 5 stars for me (or at least a solid 4 or even 4.5 that I might round up) was the way Vicky completely disregarded Bertie's privacy and somehow it all just worked out anyway. I felt really upset that after all of whatever was going on, she still violated the basic thing she should've agreed to and there were no negative consequences for it. Not a fan.
I guess a "jumper" is a "hoodie"? I suppose I could look it up, but probably I'll just go with that assumption and years down the road find out I'm wrong, ha.
I really liked some of the subtleties of the dynamics of each family, whether it was between the spouses or the parents and children. The author didn't even address a lot of it, just sort of showed some aspects and then let it hang there, which is probably actually pretty realistic since a lot of things in real life aren't resolved nice & neat the way they are in a book or movie.
I was also pretty invested in getting the full story about what happened in their past.
MINOR spoiler: What I didn't like about this book, what probably stopped it from being 5 stars for me (or at least a solid 4 or even 4.5 that I might round up) was the way Vicky completely disregarded Bertie's privacy and somehow it all just worked out anyway. I felt really upset that after all of whatever was going on, she still violated the basic thing she should've agreed to and there were no negative consequences for it. Not a fan.
I guess a "jumper" is a "hoodie"? I suppose I could look it up, but probably I'll just go with that assumption and years down the road find out I'm wrong, ha.
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