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The Accident
Twenty-six years is a long time not to be alive.
Since The Accident that ruined her life, Catherine has lived on autopilot, going through the motions of work and motherhood without being fully present. Trying to fill the gap, her adult daughter, Julia, is looking for love in all the wrong places, and wreaking havoc on the lives that she touches along the way.
Just what will it take to shock Catherine back into life?
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2019
949 people are currently reading
791 people want to read
About the author
Gail Schimmel
10 books105 followersGAIL SCHIMMEL has been writing stories since she could put pen to paper. By day she is a qualified attorney, and the CEO of the South African Advertising Regulatory Board. But she still makes sure that to write!
In South Africa, Gail published a children’s book, Claude & Millie, in 2007, under her married name Gail van Onselen. Her first
adult novel, Marriage Vows, was published in 2008, by Kwela Books. Whatever Happened to the Cowley Twins? was published by Kwela in June 2013. The Park, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2017 and The Accident in 2019 (The Accident was released internationally as The Aftermath in 2021). Two Month was published in South Africa in 2020.
Gail is also half of the writer Katie Gayle.
Gail's newest book - Never Tell A Lie - will be available internationally on 30 November 2021.
Gail lives in Johannesburg with her husband, two children, two naughty dogs and one very very old cat.
In South Africa, Gail published a children’s book, Claude & Millie, in 2007, under her married name Gail van Onselen. Her first
adult novel, Marriage Vows, was published in 2008, by Kwela Books. Whatever Happened to the Cowley Twins? was published by Kwela in June 2013. The Park, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2017 and The Accident in 2019 (The Accident was released internationally as The Aftermath in 2021). Two Month was published in South Africa in 2020.
Gail is also half of the writer Katie Gayle.
Gail's newest book - Never Tell A Lie - will be available internationally on 30 November 2021.
Gail lives in Johannesburg with her husband, two children, two naughty dogs and one very very old cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
October 21, 2023
Finished this in three sittings, in less than 24 hours.
Yes, it was absolutely bloody good. Believable. "What if this was you" tale. Set in beautiful Johannesburg, The Parks, no less👍. Every character was portrayed so beautifully with believability. Each developed at the expected pace.
The last 10 pages induced a stream of tears. Luckily I was reading from a private place. I am still shook. Loss can paralyse a person for a whole lifetime. Survivor's guilt is real.
Deserving 4 stars.
I am gifting my friends this book. 💖💖💖💖
Yes, it was absolutely bloody good. Believable. "What if this was you" tale. Set in beautiful Johannesburg, The Parks, no less👍. Every character was portrayed so beautifully with believability. Each developed at the expected pace.
The last 10 pages induced a stream of tears. Luckily I was reading from a private place. I am still shook. Loss can paralyse a person for a whole lifetime. Survivor's guilt is real.
Deserving 4 stars.
I am gifting my friends this book. 💖💖💖💖
May 14, 2021
Just as the title suggests, this book reveals the aftermath of three significant incidents on the lives of the three leading ladies of this story.
Helen: whose life turned upside down after an accident twenty six years ago. She's now just waiting for her daughter Julia to become independent so that she can commit suicide.
Julia: Helen's daughter, who has seen her mother emotionally withdrawn and unavailable ever since she (Julia) was two. The consequence is that she searches for love wherever it isn't available, and the consequence of her latest such decision drives away her best friend.
Claire: The perfect wife, the perfect mother, Julia's best friend once upon a time. But after Julia betrays her trust, she finds herself questioning everything that she had taken for granted.
Each of these ladies have strong yet complicated personalities. There are so many layers to their characters that keep getting revealed as the book goes ahead. Some of their characteristics will speak to you. Helen's decision to close out everyone close to her to avoid future hurts, Julia's quest for acceptance that makes her take decisions without considering long-term consequences, Claire's inability to say no as she's a people pleaser... each trait is nicely established in the story. The author has really developed her characters well.
A few of the chapters come to us from Daniel's perspective. I can't tell you who Daniel is as even the smallest information will be a spoiler. But suffice to know that Daniel is one of the most despicable characters I've ever seen in writing. He's a spoilt man-child, an A-grade jerk who can't see anything beyond himself. I struggled to keep my temper under control in some of his scenes. If I could, I would have jumped in the narrative and given him a mighty whack. Luckily, there are a few other men in the story who, though not main characters, still do justice to their gender. Otherwise, I might have plugged the author as a misandrist. 😄
Though this book is about 350 pages long, the really short chapters and pacy writing makes the book zoom by quickly. The author has a firm control on where she wants the story to go and this shows in the way the plot unfolds. But this is a character-oriented book, and that's where the author shines. No random mood changes, no sudden strange decisions. The characters are established firmly and act accordingly. The only minor complaint I had with the book was that despite its uncommon location (the story is set in Johannesburg, SA), the author doesn't mention anything that brings Jo'burg to life in our minds. No location descriptions, no cultural references... I feel like I missed out on an opportunity to see Johannesburg through a book.
If you are looking for a quick, thoughtful, emotional read, Aftermath will work for you. It has a few surprises built in the plot, and yet there's nothing too intense except for the sheer wrath you will feel for all MANkind whenever Daniel makes an appearance.
Ending with a book quote that I adored.
"Marriages are not about the affection revealed in front of people, and that support can be shown in one hundred different ways, and that a person outside a marriage can never judge what is happening inside that marriage – whether it is good or bad."
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
Helen: whose life turned upside down after an accident twenty six years ago. She's now just waiting for her daughter Julia to become independent so that she can commit suicide.
Julia: Helen's daughter, who has seen her mother emotionally withdrawn and unavailable ever since she (Julia) was two. The consequence is that she searches for love wherever it isn't available, and the consequence of her latest such decision drives away her best friend.
Claire: The perfect wife, the perfect mother, Julia's best friend once upon a time. But after Julia betrays her trust, she finds herself questioning everything that she had taken for granted.
Each of these ladies have strong yet complicated personalities. There are so many layers to their characters that keep getting revealed as the book goes ahead. Some of their characteristics will speak to you. Helen's decision to close out everyone close to her to avoid future hurts, Julia's quest for acceptance that makes her take decisions without considering long-term consequences, Claire's inability to say no as she's a people pleaser... each trait is nicely established in the story. The author has really developed her characters well.
A few of the chapters come to us from Daniel's perspective. I can't tell you who Daniel is as even the smallest information will be a spoiler. But suffice to know that Daniel is one of the most despicable characters I've ever seen in writing. He's a spoilt man-child, an A-grade jerk who can't see anything beyond himself. I struggled to keep my temper under control in some of his scenes. If I could, I would have jumped in the narrative and given him a mighty whack. Luckily, there are a few other men in the story who, though not main characters, still do justice to their gender. Otherwise, I might have plugged the author as a misandrist. 😄
Though this book is about 350 pages long, the really short chapters and pacy writing makes the book zoom by quickly. The author has a firm control on where she wants the story to go and this shows in the way the plot unfolds. But this is a character-oriented book, and that's where the author shines. No random mood changes, no sudden strange decisions. The characters are established firmly and act accordingly. The only minor complaint I had with the book was that despite its uncommon location (the story is set in Johannesburg, SA), the author doesn't mention anything that brings Jo'burg to life in our minds. No location descriptions, no cultural references... I feel like I missed out on an opportunity to see Johannesburg through a book.
If you are looking for a quick, thoughtful, emotional read, Aftermath will work for you. It has a few surprises built in the plot, and yet there's nothing too intense except for the sheer wrath you will feel for all MANkind whenever Daniel makes an appearance.
Ending with a book quote that I adored.
"Marriages are not about the affection revealed in front of people, and that support can be shown in one hundred different ways, and that a person outside a marriage can never judge what is happening inside that marriage – whether it is good or bad."
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
April 8, 2021
Superb !!! Just superb. LOVED this book !! At first I felt a little cheated upon finding it wasn't a brand-new release as such (as I got it under the Kindle First umbrella) but a re-release under a new title. It always gets my back up when publishers do this as I've been caught out before and ordered the same book twice. It reeks of sharp practice to me and really shouldn't be allowed. And neither should covers be changed all the time......but I digress.....
I actually made a note in this book that I didn't want it to end. I was so enjoying all the characters and being among them all and learning all their thoughts. It was delicious. Rare to happen upon a book set in South Africa, too, though it could've been any place, really, as the location didn't matter at all. I'd be hard pressed to select a favourite character as well as I liked them all for varying reasons. There was a MASSIVE shocker around 3/4 of the way in as well.....it made me gasp and I'm sure my jaw dropped, literally !! There were some VERY amusing moments in it and a couple of passages had me snivelling as well. I got a great kick out of the gnome story, too. It didn't totally end the way I'd have wanted but I was still satisfied with how we left them all. I'm going to miss them, however......I had such a great time spending a couple of days with them all and this is pretty rare.
I'll be looking out her other books now I know there are a few more out there.
I only spotted less than a handful of errors......a wasn't needed in this sentence, "But on a balance, that would probably be weirder" and in so far is usually written as the one word, then one time she wrote bought not brought, then catchy and not catching. That was it so that made the whole experience even better. I did google the Fourie case she referenced at the end and it was horribly sad. I didn't really grasp, through all the legalese, whether they won their case or not but I fear they didn't......terrible.
The cover is a very eye-catching one too, though I think I'd have used sweet peas instead. I do highly recommend you read this. It really is a terrific story.
I actually made a note in this book that I didn't want it to end. I was so enjoying all the characters and being among them all and learning all their thoughts. It was delicious. Rare to happen upon a book set in South Africa, too, though it could've been any place, really, as the location didn't matter at all. I'd be hard pressed to select a favourite character as well as I liked them all for varying reasons. There was a MASSIVE shocker around 3/4 of the way in as well.....it made me gasp and I'm sure my jaw dropped, literally !! There were some VERY amusing moments in it and a couple of passages had me snivelling as well. I got a great kick out of the gnome story, too. It didn't totally end the way I'd have wanted but I was still satisfied with how we left them all. I'm going to miss them, however......I had such a great time spending a couple of days with them all and this is pretty rare.
I'll be looking out her other books now I know there are a few more out there.
I only spotted less than a handful of errors......a wasn't needed in this sentence, "But on a balance, that would probably be weirder" and in so far is usually written as the one word, then one time she wrote bought not brought, then catchy and not catching. That was it so that made the whole experience even better. I did google the Fourie case she referenced at the end and it was horribly sad. I didn't really grasp, through all the legalese, whether they won their case or not but I fear they didn't......terrible.
The cover is a very eye-catching one too, though I think I'd have used sweet peas instead. I do highly recommend you read this. It really is a terrific story.
Read
February 25, 2019Hurry up and finish this novel, so you can make your best friend read it.
A thought-provoking, conversation-starter of a book.
This book kept me thinking long after the last page.
An ‘imagine if this happened to you’ kind of novel.
A thought-provoking, conversation-starter of a book.
This book kept me thinking long after the last page.
An ‘imagine if this happened to you’ kind of novel.
March 31, 2019
What a pleasant surprise of a book 😍
May 27, 2021
4.3 Stars
The Aftermath is about three women- Helen (mother), Julia (daughter), and Claire (friend).
Helen had been in an accident twenty-six years ago and has been barely present for her daughter, Julia. Julia grew up with bare minimum affection and spent more time with her therapist as she grew older.
Claire comes as a breath of fresh air into Julia’s life, bringing laughter and mindless fun. She has a loving family, understanding parents, a nice husband, and a cute 6yo daughter. She’s ever-ready to help others, even if it puts her under immense strain.
One rash decision by Julia changes everything. She can’t rely on Claire to make her laugh. Her mother is beginning to act different, and Julia isn’t sure if she likes it or not.
Things get further complicated, and the lives of the three women are entwined more than ever. What happens next? Can they find peace and happiness one way or another?
The book has multiple POVs, with Helen, Julia, and Claire sharing their version of the story. Another character, Daniel, also gets to share his side of things, and let’s just say that he’s someone who needs to be hit on the head with a hot frying pan to knock some sense into it.
I love how the author has presented four different POVs (three of which are women) and still maintained their voices true to their characters. There is no confusion or mix-up in the narration. The character arcs are steady, and so are the voices as the story progresses.
Despite being a 350-page book, the short chapters and free-flowing narrative style make the book an easy read. The characters do their thing, muddle through life, make a few wrong decisions, make the right ones, try to get life back on track, and well… just live.
Though I don’t identify with any of the characters, I could understand their decisions and motives. The characters are real and flawed. Yet, they aren’t weak. They carry the story from start to finish with apparent ease. As a reader, I know they’ll handle whatever comes in the way, and they do.
The story deals with multiple themes of life, love, loss, friendships, and so on. It’s a contemporary drama without seeming to be one. The side characters are well-etched within their scope and add more depth to the story.
All of it sounds great, but there are teeny things I wished the book had. As someone who likes complete endings, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I wanted to hear all the women say goodbye to the readers.
The secret isn’t something devastating or major. Yeah, it is important. But it doesn’t define or change things per se. And it comes towards the end. That part of the blurb makes the book sound more like a family thriller, but it isn’t.
Apart from these, the setting is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The story is set in a suburb of Johannesburg, SA. Now, when you read the book, you hardly find anything related to the region. People want the setting to be an inherent part of the story; this could disappoint them a little. This book could be set just about anywhere, and it would more or less be the same. While the universal factor is a plus, and I like it (that’s how I write too), not every reader sees it that way.
Overall, The Aftermath is a very well-written, steady-paced book with strong characters and a definite storyline. There aren’t many twists or confusing changes of directions. We can guess how things will proceed, and most of the time, they go the same way. If you enjoy such books, The Aftermath is for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #TheAftermath
The Aftermath is about three women- Helen (mother), Julia (daughter), and Claire (friend).
Helen had been in an accident twenty-six years ago and has been barely present for her daughter, Julia. Julia grew up with bare minimum affection and spent more time with her therapist as she grew older.
Claire comes as a breath of fresh air into Julia’s life, bringing laughter and mindless fun. She has a loving family, understanding parents, a nice husband, and a cute 6yo daughter. She’s ever-ready to help others, even if it puts her under immense strain.
One rash decision by Julia changes everything. She can’t rely on Claire to make her laugh. Her mother is beginning to act different, and Julia isn’t sure if she likes it or not.
Things get further complicated, and the lives of the three women are entwined more than ever. What happens next? Can they find peace and happiness one way or another?
The book has multiple POVs, with Helen, Julia, and Claire sharing their version of the story. Another character, Daniel, also gets to share his side of things, and let’s just say that he’s someone who needs to be hit on the head with a hot frying pan to knock some sense into it.
I love how the author has presented four different POVs (three of which are women) and still maintained their voices true to their characters. There is no confusion or mix-up in the narration. The character arcs are steady, and so are the voices as the story progresses.
Despite being a 350-page book, the short chapters and free-flowing narrative style make the book an easy read. The characters do their thing, muddle through life, make a few wrong decisions, make the right ones, try to get life back on track, and well… just live.
Though I don’t identify with any of the characters, I could understand their decisions and motives. The characters are real and flawed. Yet, they aren’t weak. They carry the story from start to finish with apparent ease. As a reader, I know they’ll handle whatever comes in the way, and they do.
The story deals with multiple themes of life, love, loss, friendships, and so on. It’s a contemporary drama without seeming to be one. The side characters are well-etched within their scope and add more depth to the story.
All of it sounds great, but there are teeny things I wished the book had. As someone who likes complete endings, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I wanted to hear all the women say goodbye to the readers.
The secret isn’t something devastating or major. Yeah, it is important. But it doesn’t define or change things per se. And it comes towards the end. That part of the blurb makes the book sound more like a family thriller, but it isn’t.
Apart from these, the setting is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The story is set in a suburb of Johannesburg, SA. Now, when you read the book, you hardly find anything related to the region. People want the setting to be an inherent part of the story; this could disappoint them a little. This book could be set just about anywhere, and it would more or less be the same. While the universal factor is a plus, and I like it (that’s how I write too), not every reader sees it that way.
Overall, The Aftermath is a very well-written, steady-paced book with strong characters and a definite storyline. There aren’t many twists or confusing changes of directions. We can guess how things will proceed, and most of the time, they go the same way. If you enjoy such books, The Aftermath is for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #TheAftermath
May 16, 2021
Very easy to read, partly because of the short chapters which are narrated in turn by Helen, Julia and Claire with occasional contributions from Daniel. Each has a distinct voice which develops their characters nicely. I was completely engrossed and sorry when the story finished, even though it was a good ending, with enough tied up and enough left open. My only complaint was Jack, who to me didn’t seem plausible as such a late revelation. Also it wasn’t until nearly the end that I realised they lived in Johannesburg!
March 15, 2019
Not everything that breaks is worthless. That’s what I thought when I first saw the cover of Gail Schimmel’s new novel, The Accident. It features a teacup that has crashed on the tarmac and broken in two. The fracture is clean. All it needs is some Super Glue and a steady pair of hands to put it together. A hairline crack might be visible if you scrutinise it wearing reading glasses and the container will probably no longer be dishwasher proof, but what’s not to like about something beloved that’s suffered, endured and has the scars to prove it?
Having now read The Accident, I think my interpretation of the cover was spot on.
Twenty-six years ago, The Accident changed Catherine’s life. It broke her and she couldn’t imagine fixing things. Because she had a daughter, Julia, she didn’t give up entirely. Catherine trod water to get by. But, just when she thought it might be possible to take the next step, a series of events involving Julia and several others inadvertently distracted her from her plan. Or did they?
It’s not easy to write about The Accident without giving too much away, so I’ll keep it short. Read it. It’s delightful. Schimmel tells a lovely, layered story in a fast-paced, humorous and relatable way. She deals with some universally serious issues – about friendship, motherhood, marriage, grief and learning to live with tragedy and the imperfections of life – without finger wagging or distracting from the story. The Accident is about why you should not immediately give up on everything that breaks, especially when the thing is you.
Having now read The Accident, I think my interpretation of the cover was spot on.
Twenty-six years ago, The Accident changed Catherine’s life. It broke her and she couldn’t imagine fixing things. Because she had a daughter, Julia, she didn’t give up entirely. Catherine trod water to get by. But, just when she thought it might be possible to take the next step, a series of events involving Julia and several others inadvertently distracted her from her plan. Or did they?
It’s not easy to write about The Accident without giving too much away, so I’ll keep it short. Read it. It’s delightful. Schimmel tells a lovely, layered story in a fast-paced, humorous and relatable way. She deals with some universally serious issues – about friendship, motherhood, marriage, grief and learning to live with tragedy and the imperfections of life – without finger wagging or distracting from the story. The Accident is about why you should not immediately give up on everything that breaks, especially when the thing is you.
April 8, 2021
Not the book I was expecting!? I had in my mind from the blurb that it was a much more sinister psychological type thriller. I think part of the reason for this was the title, I think “Aftermath” is a word that describes an immediate take on an horrific event and although you could say that, it was more about how life came back together.
So I enjoyed the book but found it trying to be too bouncy and light hearted and the twist in the middle felt like it was put there so that the ending could be tied up nicely.
An easy but not very exciting read for me I’m afraid.
So I enjoyed the book but found it trying to be too bouncy and light hearted and the twist in the middle felt like it was put there so that the ending could be tied up nicely.
An easy but not very exciting read for me I’m afraid.
April 2, 2021
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did as it's completely out of my normal reading genre.
But....I couldn't put it down!
I read it in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it
x
But....I couldn't put it down!
I read it in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it
x
February 9, 2023
3.5 stars! Really good pacing and chapter lengths - loved the characters and their POVs but overall a pretty average read - quite predictable and it felt like it was building up to something but the reveal felt a bit flat
April 7, 2019
It’s not often that you get to read a book that manages to be heartwarming, amusing, annoying and heartbreaking all at once. Gail Schimmel cleverly encapsulates all of these elements in perfect balance.
The story centres around Catherine, Julia, Claire and Daniel, and is told from their alternating perspectives. Claire and Daniel are married, Julia meets Claire at a pottery class. Catherine is Julia’s mother. When Julia was very young, a cataclysmic Accident altered the course of her mother’s life in unimaginable ways, and she’s been living in limbo ever since; going through the motions purely for Julia’s sake.
Julia describes her mother as a ‘zombie’: unable to show affection or any authentic emotion. But she’s used to it. This is how she’s grown up – with a mother who’s barely been able to really be a mother. It’s made her what she is today – fairly resilient, she reckons, but probably pretty unable to sustain anything resembling a solid relationship.
Claire is one of those perfect yummy mummies – or is she? Behind that facade of perfection she’s actually hiding a crushing vulnerability – not that anyone could ever, ever tell! Schimmel’s description of ‘those’ school moms (you know the ones I’m talking about) is 100% on point. No matter what you do or say, you always feel like you’re a few steps behind, or that you’ve joined a conversation just a few beats too late. You’ll never be able to keep up!
And Daniel … what is there to say about Daniel? He’ll make you literally laugh out loud … while wishing you could bash his head against the nearest wall! Basically, he’s the quintessential male!
These characters are so very real. They’re exactly the people who could be standing in line behind you at the grocery store. The ones you chat with on your daily coffee run. The types that you’re very sure could become good friends, once you’ve moved past the ‘hi, how are you’ stage. Schimmel creates fully rounded individuals whose lives intertwine in ways that are entirely possible. And as you watch their story unfold, you feel drawn into their world, not as a bystander but as part of their narrative.
I thoroughly enjoyed this – it’s a 5-Star read that you’ll want to savour and then share with others. You’ll want to talk about it, dissect it, discuss it and analyse it. It’s a wonderful multi-layered conversation starter on everything from friendships, marriage, and parenting to suicide, life support and adultery!
Gail Schimmel knows how to burrow her way into the very heart of the matter. She makes it crystal clear that just because her characters might be so close to breaking point that they crack, it doesn’t mean they’re entirely broken … and then she gently, sensitively and subtly goes about fixing them.
The way she does this made me think of the Japanese art of Kintsugi! What’s Kintsugi? It’s a method of repair that uses a special lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum, to fix an object in a way that highlights (rather than hides) the damage. This celebrates the breakage as part of the object’s history, rather than as the end of the story – and this is exactly how Schimmel puts her characters back together!
The story centres around Catherine, Julia, Claire and Daniel, and is told from their alternating perspectives. Claire and Daniel are married, Julia meets Claire at a pottery class. Catherine is Julia’s mother. When Julia was very young, a cataclysmic Accident altered the course of her mother’s life in unimaginable ways, and she’s been living in limbo ever since; going through the motions purely for Julia’s sake.
Julia describes her mother as a ‘zombie’: unable to show affection or any authentic emotion. But she’s used to it. This is how she’s grown up – with a mother who’s barely been able to really be a mother. It’s made her what she is today – fairly resilient, she reckons, but probably pretty unable to sustain anything resembling a solid relationship.
Claire is one of those perfect yummy mummies – or is she? Behind that facade of perfection she’s actually hiding a crushing vulnerability – not that anyone could ever, ever tell! Schimmel’s description of ‘those’ school moms (you know the ones I’m talking about) is 100% on point. No matter what you do or say, you always feel like you’re a few steps behind, or that you’ve joined a conversation just a few beats too late. You’ll never be able to keep up!
And Daniel … what is there to say about Daniel? He’ll make you literally laugh out loud … while wishing you could bash his head against the nearest wall! Basically, he’s the quintessential male!
These characters are so very real. They’re exactly the people who could be standing in line behind you at the grocery store. The ones you chat with on your daily coffee run. The types that you’re very sure could become good friends, once you’ve moved past the ‘hi, how are you’ stage. Schimmel creates fully rounded individuals whose lives intertwine in ways that are entirely possible. And as you watch their story unfold, you feel drawn into their world, not as a bystander but as part of their narrative.
I thoroughly enjoyed this – it’s a 5-Star read that you’ll want to savour and then share with others. You’ll want to talk about it, dissect it, discuss it and analyse it. It’s a wonderful multi-layered conversation starter on everything from friendships, marriage, and parenting to suicide, life support and adultery!
Gail Schimmel knows how to burrow her way into the very heart of the matter. She makes it crystal clear that just because her characters might be so close to breaking point that they crack, it doesn’t mean they’re entirely broken … and then she gently, sensitively and subtly goes about fixing them.
The way she does this made me think of the Japanese art of Kintsugi! What’s Kintsugi? It’s a method of repair that uses a special lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum, to fix an object in a way that highlights (rather than hides) the damage. This celebrates the breakage as part of the object’s history, rather than as the end of the story – and this is exactly how Schimmel puts her characters back together!
May 24, 2021
4.5 Stars
Told from various points of view this is a story of women finding themselves. Helen has been going through the motions of life without actually living. Claire is trying to do so much to keep others happy and run the world but has no support. Julia thinks she knows what she wants but then has a realisation that things are not exactly what they seem and she is actually better off. I really enjoyed this one, some really relatable feelings and lots of secrets to be uncovered.
Daniel is a joke, I don't understand how 2 fabulous women fell for his shenanigans!
Told from various points of view this is a story of women finding themselves. Helen has been going through the motions of life without actually living. Claire is trying to do so much to keep others happy and run the world but has no support. Julia thinks she knows what she wants but then has a realisation that things are not exactly what they seem and she is actually better off. I really enjoyed this one, some really relatable feelings and lots of secrets to be uncovered.
Daniel is a joke, I don't understand how 2 fabulous women fell for his shenanigans!
March 19, 2019
I am now a confirmed Gail Schimmel fan. "The Park" was great and "The Accident" even better.
The characters are so plausible, the plot so real, a sort of it could happen to me story.
I do not want to do a synopsis of the story because the delight of it is in the unfolding, the growth of the characters and the dawning realization that all is not what is appears to be on the surface.
A great read.
The characters are so plausible, the plot so real, a sort of it could happen to me story.
I do not want to do a synopsis of the story because the delight of it is in the unfolding, the growth of the characters and the dawning realization that all is not what is appears to be on the surface.
A great read.
May 13, 2021
An emotional roller coaster.
A lovely read. Sad, funny, emotional. Characters we can all relate to, and leaves you with the same warm glow Sunday afternoon films used to, as it was when I was younger and the whole family sat around the TV after Sunday dinner. While reading this book you will think about the people you love, the people you've lost, and the people that exasperate you, and you will smile a lot.
A lovely read. Sad, funny, emotional. Characters we can all relate to, and leaves you with the same warm glow Sunday afternoon films used to, as it was when I was younger and the whole family sat around the TV after Sunday dinner. While reading this book you will think about the people you love, the people you've lost, and the people that exasperate you, and you will smile a lot.
May 5, 2021
I found this to be an easy read although I was not expecting it to be the kind of story it turned out to be. It’s not a thriller I don’t think but don’t let that put you off it’s a good read.
July 12, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! Funny in parts, traumatic in others but so very real, I thought. A great mix of quirky characters - Lizette was definitely my fave. :)
March 30, 2024
This was advertised to me as a thriller, so the most disappointing thing about it is that a thriller, it is not. There's a bit of mystery weaving through it, but mostly, it's an emotional piece of women's contemporary fiction, which reminded me of the books by Liana Moriarty.
The story is told through an interesting narrative, as it begins with Helen at a point in her life where is she ready to give in. All she wants is to make sure her daughter is set up for the future, and then she can finally let go.
It's a very moving story that will definitely pull on your emotions, with authentic characters that you can't help but attach yourself to. For the right audience, this will be a heartbreaking and thought-provoking read. I'm certainly glad to have found it on my kindle.
The story is told through an interesting narrative, as it begins with Helen at a point in her life where is she ready to give in. All she wants is to make sure her daughter is set up for the future, and then she can finally let go.
It's a very moving story that will definitely pull on your emotions, with authentic characters that you can't help but attach yourself to. For the right audience, this will be a heartbreaking and thought-provoking read. I'm certainly glad to have found it on my kindle.
January 6, 2022
Tiêu đề cuốn này rất là misleading, đọc thì tưởng thriller nhưng hóa ra không phải. Nhân vật thiếu thuyết phục, đôi khi hành động rất là dramatic và phi lý, đọc cứ như là đang nghe drama The Bachelor vợ mình hay kể ấy 🙄. 2⭐
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November 24, 2021Warning for suicidal ideation.
DNF at 8% (22 pages). Zero interest in characters. Very bland. Audiobook narrator was fine. Just lackluster and disengaged story.
DNF at 8% (22 pages). Zero interest in characters. Very bland. Audiobook narrator was fine. Just lackluster and disengaged story.
August 19, 2025
Absolutely delicious. Clever twist, loved the Joburg setting. So good to discover such a crisp South African author!
December 1, 2021
Set in present day Johannesburg, South Africa, this is the story of relationships, loves, and losses. It includes interesting character development, some surprises, and is told with a touch of humor.
"Three women: a mother, a daughter, a friend. Can they save each other from the past?
It’s been twenty-six years since the accident, but Helen still lives on autopilot, going through the motions of work and motherhood. Her one wish is for her daughter Julia to settle down with her own family—so Helen can let go.
Julia has dealt with her mother’s emotional distance by looking for love in all the wrong places. But when her latest choice drives away her best friend, Claire, Julia realizes she’s on her own.
Impossibly perfect Claire is so busy caring for everyone—even her cheating ex-husband—that she’s forgotten to look after herself. Reeling from Julia’s betrayal, she doesn’t know who to trust.
As their lives unravel, these three women reconnect in unexpected ways. But with a devastating secret still hanging over them, will they ever be able to leave the past behind?" synopsis copied
"Three women: a mother, a daughter, a friend. Can they save each other from the past?
It’s been twenty-six years since the accident, but Helen still lives on autopilot, going through the motions of work and motherhood. Her one wish is for her daughter Julia to settle down with her own family—so Helen can let go.
Julia has dealt with her mother’s emotional distance by looking for love in all the wrong places. But when her latest choice drives away her best friend, Claire, Julia realizes she’s on her own.
Impossibly perfect Claire is so busy caring for everyone—even her cheating ex-husband—that she’s forgotten to look after herself. Reeling from Julia’s betrayal, she doesn’t know who to trust.
As their lives unravel, these three women reconnect in unexpected ways. But with a devastating secret still hanging over them, will they ever be able to leave the past behind?" synopsis copied
May 5, 2021
I’m astounded how much I ended up loving this book. This book by far is one of my all time favorites that despite a free copy for the kindle (through the wonderful NetGalley), I purchased a hard copy to add to my favorite books collection.
Helen and Julia were in a tragic accident that changed both their lives for the worse. Helen knows her resulting depression (and lack of empathy) will affect her daughter Julia so she sends her off to a therapist at 13 to help try and prevent anymore psychological damage Helen might put on her due to her unstable mental state after The Accident.
But it may have been too little too late because Julia makes a decision that tears a family and a friendship apart.
What I love most is how beautifully messy these characters were. Each one was flawed and dealt with their own selfishness, self-destruction, and rocky mental health. As someone who has gone through some of these emotions and some similar circumstances, it was relatable—not just with Julia but every single character was a well developed and intriguing protagonist to the story.
I would buy several copies of this for my friends and continue recommending this book to every woman I know. It’s a work of art.
Helen and Julia were in a tragic accident that changed both their lives for the worse. Helen knows her resulting depression (and lack of empathy) will affect her daughter Julia so she sends her off to a therapist at 13 to help try and prevent anymore psychological damage Helen might put on her due to her unstable mental state after The Accident.
But it may have been too little too late because Julia makes a decision that tears a family and a friendship apart.
What I love most is how beautifully messy these characters were. Each one was flawed and dealt with their own selfishness, self-destruction, and rocky mental health. As someone who has gone through some of these emotions and some similar circumstances, it was relatable—not just with Julia but every single character was a well developed and intriguing protagonist to the story.
I would buy several copies of this for my friends and continue recommending this book to every woman I know. It’s a work of art.
May 5, 2021
I’m astounded how much I ended up loving this book. This book by far is one of my all time favorites that despite a free copy for the kindle (through the wonderful NetGalley), I purchased a hard copy to add to my favorite books collection.
Helen and Julia were in a tragic accident that changed both their lives for the worse. Helen knows her resulting depression (and lack of empathy) will affect her daughter Julia so she sends her off to a therapist at 13 to help try and prevent anymore psychological damage Helen might put on her due to her unstable mental state after The Accident.
But it may have been too little too late because Julia makes a decision that tears a family and a friendship apart.
What I love most is how beautifully messy these characters were. Each one was flawed and dealt with their own selfishness, self-destruction, and rocky mental health. As someone who has gone through some of these emotions and some similar circumstances, it was relatable—not just with Julia but every single character was a well developed and intriguing protagonist to the story.
I would buy several copies of this for my friends and continue recommending this book to every woman I know. It’s a work of art.
Helen and Julia were in a tragic accident that changed both their lives for the worse. Helen knows her resulting depression (and lack of empathy) will affect her daughter Julia so she sends her off to a therapist at 13 to help try and prevent anymore psychological damage Helen might put on her due to her unstable mental state after The Accident.
But it may have been too little too late because Julia makes a decision that tears a family and a friendship apart.
What I love most is how beautifully messy these characters were. Each one was flawed and dealt with their own selfishness, self-destruction, and rocky mental health. As someone who has gone through some of these emotions and some similar circumstances, it was relatable—not just with Julia but every single character was a well developed and intriguing protagonist to the story.
I would buy several copies of this for my friends and continue recommending this book to every woman I know. It’s a work of art.
April 9, 2020
Really enjoying this author. Loving the South African theme. So relatable.
July 9, 2022
"I’m not being a pessimist, so don’t you go thinking that,’ I argue with my silent husband"
This is an underrated book, and I feel the story has so much potential. The rollercoaster of emotions from funny to sad and back to depression made me realize how grieving alternates your feelings and impacts your everyday decisions.
Everything revolves around The Accident that occurred years ago but has left long-lasting numbing effects in Helen's personality. On the other hand, Julia thinks her mom Helen has always had that type of personality, lacked affection, and showed minimum enthusiasm. The Accident happened when Julia was very young so she has no recollection other than what her mother Helen has told her.
I got the full perspective on the story from multiple POV's and that is exactly what made the story so addicting. Every character is so unique in their own way like for example Julia is messy and doesn't have friends thus looking desperate to find a friendship. Now, Claire is the complete opposite, she is a full-time mother but also attentive to everyone, and carries a busy agenda to organize everything. Helen is drowning in her grieving and is unsure how others have been able to move on but she hasn't despite the years after The Accident, refuses to make friends, and is desperate to end her life. Daniel is an arrogant man, oblivious to others' needs but his own, and has cheated on his wife Claire to be with Julia, but eventually, he is the one that will be laughed at.
The story is so painful but it's admirable the way that all women help each other out despite the many differences encountered. I found it extremely creepy but also sad how a woman can keep her husband for so many years in a comma, I'm not sure that's even possible in the U.S. but everything felt so real. The chapters were short and straight to the point.
"I wonder what he would think if I told him I’m just very excited that I might be able to commit suicide soon."
This is an underrated book, and I feel the story has so much potential. The rollercoaster of emotions from funny to sad and back to depression made me realize how grieving alternates your feelings and impacts your everyday decisions.
Everything revolves around The Accident that occurred years ago but has left long-lasting numbing effects in Helen's personality. On the other hand, Julia thinks her mom Helen has always had that type of personality, lacked affection, and showed minimum enthusiasm. The Accident happened when Julia was very young so she has no recollection other than what her mother Helen has told her.
I got the full perspective on the story from multiple POV's and that is exactly what made the story so addicting. Every character is so unique in their own way like for example Julia is messy and doesn't have friends thus looking desperate to find a friendship. Now, Claire is the complete opposite, she is a full-time mother but also attentive to everyone, and carries a busy agenda to organize everything. Helen is drowning in her grieving and is unsure how others have been able to move on but she hasn't despite the years after The Accident, refuses to make friends, and is desperate to end her life. Daniel is an arrogant man, oblivious to others' needs but his own, and has cheated on his wife Claire to be with Julia, but eventually, he is the one that will be laughed at.
The story is so painful but it's admirable the way that all women help each other out despite the many differences encountered. I found it extremely creepy but also sad how a woman can keep her husband for so many years in a comma, I'm not sure that's even possible in the U.S. but everything felt so real. The chapters were short and straight to the point.
"I wonder what he would think if I told him I’m just very excited that I might be able to commit suicide soon."
June 22, 2021
Apparently an unpopular opinion based on the 4-5 star reviews: this book was absolutely ridiculously atrocious. I can’t even believe I kept reading.
Claire: Jesus, woman! Slow the F down. Breathe. Is there even enough hours in the day for everything you say you do in a 24 hour period?
Claire’s parents: eye roll.
Daniel: As the British would say, what a wanker. What an absolute shithead asshat. He’s completely selfish when it comes to taking care of his daughter, not to mention, he’s a lowlife cheater.. and is completely clueless about his behavior. It’s like.. he doesn’t get what he’s done wrong .. like really? Everything, EVERYTHING is all about him. Daniel wants sex. Daniel wants his boxes unpacked. Daniel wants his shirts taken to the dry cleaner, oh and put up also. Duh. Daniel wants to go on vacation with his ex and daughter after getting his ex’s friend pregnant “but I want to go to Mauritius” wah wahhh, boo hoo.
Julia: What a stupid, stupid woman. Being inside her head was enough to make me want to blow my brains out.
Mackenzie: Not a cute child at all. Yes, I said it. No, I’m not sorry. Also, it’s comical some of the things that come out of her mouth. Definitely not a little girl her age talking.
Helen: The only reason I even continued to read this book was because of her. She was the only person I cared about.
And then even she became insufferable. The whole book was nausea inducing.
Claire: Jesus, woman! Slow the F down. Breathe. Is there even enough hours in the day for everything you say you do in a 24 hour period?
Claire’s parents: eye roll.
Daniel: As the British would say, what a wanker. What an absolute shithead asshat. He’s completely selfish when it comes to taking care of his daughter, not to mention, he’s a lowlife cheater.. and is completely clueless about his behavior. It’s like.. he doesn’t get what he’s done wrong .. like really? Everything, EVERYTHING is all about him. Daniel wants sex. Daniel wants his boxes unpacked. Daniel wants his shirts taken to the dry cleaner, oh and put up also. Duh. Daniel wants to go on vacation with his ex and daughter after getting his ex’s friend pregnant “but I want to go to Mauritius” wah wahhh, boo hoo.
Julia: What a stupid, stupid woman. Being inside her head was enough to make me want to blow my brains out.
Mackenzie: Not a cute child at all. Yes, I said it. No, I’m not sorry. Also, it’s comical some of the things that come out of her mouth. Definitely not a little girl her age talking.
Helen: The only reason I even continued to read this book was because of her. She was the only person I cared about.
And then even she became insufferable. The whole book was nausea inducing.
February 26, 2024
Multiple POV. 's.An intense and emotional tale uniquely crafted modulating that intensity via multiple perspectives with originality and wit.The storyline is so multi focused that I think it's best to go aware of only the bare bones of the storyline.
Claire and Julia were.best friends for a year until the betrayal, infidelity with her husband Daniel ....who is beyond description, not in a good way.Claire had suffered infertility, so initially she is devastated to learn the union resulted in pregnancy.
Helen is Julia's mother who has caged herself for 26 years hoping for the day when her daughter no longer need her so that she can finally allow her bleak master plan to unfold. Thankfully,much enlightenment occurs and everyone undergoes a kind of metamorphosis allowing potential and possibilities to abound, this 360 alteration from the desolate origins utterly transforming both storyline and characters.. well... with the exception of Daniel!😜
Claire and Julia were.best friends for a year until the betrayal, infidelity with her husband Daniel ....who is beyond description, not in a good way.Claire had suffered infertility, so initially she is devastated to learn the union resulted in pregnancy.
Helen is Julia's mother who has caged herself for 26 years hoping for the day when her daughter no longer need her so that she can finally allow her bleak master plan to unfold. Thankfully,much enlightenment occurs and everyone undergoes a kind of metamorphosis allowing potential and possibilities to abound, this 360 alteration from the desolate origins utterly transforming both storyline and characters.. well... with the exception of Daniel!😜
May 7, 2021
This was a little surprise to me, I am not sure if I ever finished a book so quickly but I really loved it. (Thank you Kindle first reads)
I definitely expected it to be more a thriller but i ended up loving it even more for not being that. The characters are very well thought out and detailed. You warm to them immediately and smaller twists and turns as well as the changing persepectives of the characters really made this a page turner for me. I always wanted to find out what the other characters thought of the same situation and to see them grow throughout the book is amazing.
I found Daniels character a bit too simple and plain/dull compared to the others and think he could have had a few more layers.
However I definitely laughed a few times and also shed a few tears, so i think its well worth a read!
I definitely expected it to be more a thriller but i ended up loving it even more for not being that. The characters are very well thought out and detailed. You warm to them immediately and smaller twists and turns as well as the changing persepectives of the characters really made this a page turner for me. I always wanted to find out what the other characters thought of the same situation and to see them grow throughout the book is amazing.
I found Daniels character a bit too simple and plain/dull compared to the others and think he could have had a few more layers.
However I definitely laughed a few times and also shed a few tears, so i think its well worth a read!
May 29, 2022
Engaging and beautifully written
I was drawn in and engaged from the start and could see right away that there was going to be a lot of story behind each of the three women.
We meet Helen who’d been widowed by the love of her life while her daughter Julia was 2 years old and then Julie as an adult and her friend Claire who seems so perfect at everything.
While it was a heavy story, the writing also kept it light and wonderfully enjoyable while developing the characters. There were even some laughs. The reader assumes some things or doesn’t consider others and then suddenly, boom, there is this new information out of the blue that absolutely fits but is also a brilliant surprise.
There should be a trigger warning of sorts about ongoing suicidal thinking, so I’ll mention that here.
Excellent narration.
I was drawn in and engaged from the start and could see right away that there was going to be a lot of story behind each of the three women.
We meet Helen who’d been widowed by the love of her life while her daughter Julia was 2 years old and then Julie as an adult and her friend Claire who seems so perfect at everything.
While it was a heavy story, the writing also kept it light and wonderfully enjoyable while developing the characters. There were even some laughs. The reader assumes some things or doesn’t consider others and then suddenly, boom, there is this new information out of the blue that absolutely fits but is also a brilliant surprise.
There should be a trigger warning of sorts about ongoing suicidal thinking, so I’ll mention that here.
Excellent narration.
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