The Near Daphne Experience

by Alison Reynolds

Meet Daphne Buckley, a psychiatrist in search of a great love. He hasn't turned up yet. But surely he will. He could be any one of the respondents to her old-fashioned 'looking for love' classified. He could be one of the men her overbearing mother tries to set her up with, or even someone she already knows. It doesn't matter. Daphne is determined and brainy and prepared to bend all the rules. With old school friend Celeste by her side and her mother's grooming tips for unkempt leg hair, love is likely just around the corner. Whether Daphne deserves it is another question. And with a psychopath and serial killer lurking, how far she'll go to get it is the biggest question of all.
The Near Daphne Experience is a riotous romp about the unedifying search for love, and the most original book you'll read this year.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Australia

390 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2022

About the author

Alison Reynolds lives by the sea in Melbourne with her family and a heater-hogging, dentally challenged dog named Rosie. After a long career writing children’s books, her debut adult novel, The Near Daphne Experience is coming out in July. Alison decided to concentrate on writing after a series of mediocre jobs, including working for the most curmudgeonly boss in Melbourne. She has a Masters of Creative Arts and is excellent at drinking coffee, braving Victoria’s icy seas and losing herself in books.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Near Daphne Experience is the first adult novel by Australian author, Alison Reynolds. The audio version is narrated by Cam Ralph, Julian Pulvermacher, Nic English, Raechyl French, Taylor Owynns. Can you actually tell a story in emails, letters, memos, texts and a press article, when the only direct input from the protagonist is scant notes on a patient file? If you’re as clever as Alison Reynolds, you can indeed. So, from one side only of multiple conversations, the reader learns that:

… thirty-five-year-old psychiatrist, Dr Daphne Buckley is still single, a situation her mother and her best friend since high school would like to remedy. Not that Daphne is against the idea, but choosing her own partner appeals more than having Mariana Buckley find one for her. She works in a psychiatric facility in rural Victoria, not the best place to meet a mate, but she has taken action to remedy that.

Her correspondents (some of whom the reader will easily recognise from their own life):
Celeste Smythe, a best friend who gave up all prospect of career for marriage and two young children;
Mariana Buckley, a forceful mother who claims to act in her daughter’s best interests, unfailingly critical bar the occasional back-handed compliment;
Jonathan Cullinan, a patient being treated at Peaceful Glades psychiatric clinic, diagnosed as a psychopath and narcissist, convicted of murder, a fan of Myra Hindley;
Professor Augustus Fulbright, Daphne’s senior colleague who apparently has no qualms about taking credit for her work;
Digby Smythe, successful barrister, husband of Celeste, trying to be a sensitive New Age guy and fairly obviously in love with Daphne;
Hubert Buckley, a conservative, surprisingly perceptive and very supportive father, a good judge of character;
George Prendergast, an elderly would-be suitor with a love of Wagner, answering Ms Fun-Loving and Outdoorsy’s personal ad.
Harley Davison, an advertising executive, the most likely prospect out of those responding to Ms Fun-Loving and Outdoorsy’s personal ads.
Melissa Motti, teenaged ex of Harley and devoted fan of Daphne;

And Daphne herself? She’s perhaps not as sweet and true as many of those correspondents believe…

As the story leaps from quirky to outrageous to ridiculous, it’s quickly apparent that this is a blackly funny farce which the reader should just sit back and enjoy. The guaranteed but unpredictable laugh-out-loud nature of the story does require a warning: best not read on public transport, if you have continence issues, or whilst eating/drinking. Hugely entertaining!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Near Daphne Experience is the first adult novel by Australian author, Alison Reynolds. Can you actually tell a story in emails, letters, memos, texts and a press article, when the only direct input from the protagonist is scant notes on a patient file? If you’re as clever as Alison Reynolds, you can indeed. So, from one side only of multiple conversations, the reader learns that:

… thirty-five-year-old psychiatrist, Dr Daphne Buckley is still single, a situation her mother and her best friend since high school would like to remedy. Not that Daphne is against the idea, but choosing her own partner appeals more than having Mariana Buckley find one for her. She works in a psychiatric facility in rural Victoria, not the best place to meet a mate, but she has taken action to remedy that.

Her correspondents (some of whom the reader will easily recognise from their own life):
Celeste Smythe, a best friend who gave up all prospect of career for marriage and two young children;
Mariana Buckley, a forceful mother who claims to act in her daughter’s best interests, unfailingly critical bar the occasional back-handed compliment;
Jonathan Cullinan, a patient being treated at Peaceful Glades psychiatric clinic, diagnosed as a psychopath and narcissist, convicted of murder, a fan of Myra Hindley;
Professor Augustus Fulbright, Daphne’s senior colleague who apparently has no qualms about taking credit for her work;
Digby Smythe, successful barrister, husband of Celeste, trying to be a sensitive New Age guy and fairly obviously in love with Daphne;
Hubert Buckley, a conservative, surprisingly perceptive and very supportive father, a good judge of character;
George Prendergast, an elderly would-be suitor with a love of Wagner, answering Ms Fun-Loving and Outdoorsy’s personal ad.
Harley Davison, an advertising executive, the most likely prospect out of those responding to Ms Fun-Loving and Outdoorsy’s personal ads.
Melissa Motti, teenaged ex of Harley and devoted fan of Daphne;

And Daphne herself? She’s perhaps not as sweet and true as many of those correspondents believe…

As the story leaps from quirky to outrageous to ridiculous, it’s quickly apparent that this is a blackly funny farce which the reader should just sit back and enjoy. The guaranteed but unpredictable laugh-out-loud nature of the story does require a warning: best not read on public transport, if you have continence issues, or whilst eating/drinking. Hugely entertaining!
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Affirm Press.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this is one of the worst books I have read. I'm 3/4 through and just want to throw it away. It took me time to get used to the style of the book, all letters/ emails to Daphne. I could have been ok with this. But every single character is unlikable and just unbelievable. The mother of course is the worst. It's not funny, it's just ridiculous and over the top.
The only upside to this book it is very easy to read.. and skim.. and.. why am I still reading this?!
Moving on now..

[Lara Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the most misleading blurbs I've ever read in my life, and it took me 50 pages to realise the whole thing was written in letters/emails. Also I genuinely hate every single character in this book - there is actually not one single exception.

The ending was WILD, but not really in a good way

Gonna need a couple of days to recover from this one

[Sam (she_who_reads_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for this absolutely wild, over the top, messy and often hilarious book!!
Do yourself a favour and listen to the audio- it’s the only way to go!

[Maeve Leslie · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all didn’t like the lay out, only reading the story from other peoples emails 🤨 and it was just boring, it had such potential and it just turned out boring, the end was dumb honestly had my hopes up for this one

[Georgina Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers who loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman will love The Near Daphne Experience by Alison Reynolds

Alison Reynolds has written a warm, witty, slow burn of a novel that blindsides you with a perfectly crafted twist that will leave you both cackling in delight and sitting up in shock. Both deliciously evil and evilly delicious, The Near Daphne Experience is crafted in a way that puts the reader at the center of the story. Through emails, letters and text messages from friends and family, we get a picture of this psychiatrist looking for love and slowly realise that the Daphne that her friends and family see, may not be the real Daphne after all.

Reynolds is a master of both comedy and tension and by the time I was a quarter of the way through the book, it had grabbed me and I couldn't put it down. It was a read-in-one-sitting experience with a pay-off "gotcha" moment that is so rare in fiction and such a delight when it's right.

The Near Daphne Experience is something you have to experience yourself. If I could give it 6 stars I would.

[Nicole West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I've never read anything quite like this book before.

It was a weird, quirky story about a psychiatrist finding love.

A psychological killer is Dr. Daphne's latest patient. She has a best friend, Celeste, who only wants the best for Daphne. Her mother is continually commenting on Daphne's appearance and her dating status and giving her number out to potential suitors. Daphne's Dad has her back.

A background of affairs, lies, and a plan to change everything to Daphne's dreams of being with the person she loves backfires initially. Will it all work out in the end?

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun - the audio is fantastic. Laugh out loud dark humour.

[ceceblossom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what to make of this book 🤷🏻‍♀️

[The Over London Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly original. Laugh-out-loud funny and a fantastic twist at the end. We highly recommend.

[Ava Ward · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book was very difficult to read. I actually enjoyed the quirky layout of emails and text messages, however, none of the characters were likeable. There were occasional glimmers of enjoyable satire but for the most part I was banging my head against the wall.

[Shali Hurvitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read The Near Daphne Experience but I was severely disappointed. I was bored out of my mind for the first 300 pages and it only started gaining my interest in the last 100. The whole style of the book being told in letters, emails and texts seemed fun and exciting but it left a lot to be desired. I feel it would’ve been better if we got to see Daphnes responses. The ending was really confusing and just left be puzzled. Would not recommend

[Eddy Ainsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was actually a pretty good start until I started to near the end.

I love the concept of getting to know the protagonist through other characters.
Mariana and Celeste clearly hold Daphne in such high regard yet Daphne is a deeply flawed and tragic individual who is deeply disturbed and needs psychological help. Seriously Daphne is the worst person/daughter/friend.

I’ve never disliked a protagonist so greatly.

The problem was not the characters. They were perfectly written. It’s the ending.

Why did everyone get a happy ending? Why did Daphne not have any consequences for her actions? She tried to have her loved ones killed yet no consequences? She stole her best friends husband yet her friend doesn’t care ?

All loose ends were tied off but it didn’t seem natural IMO 2.5 stars.

[MargCal · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 ☆ … only to indicate I didn't forget to rate it.

DID NOT FINISH … The Near Daphne Experience / Alison Reynolds ... 03 November 2022
STOPPED READING AT: p.75 ... then turned to the end to see what that was like.
ISBN: 9781922711762 … 390 pp. + Reading group questions

The only way to treat this book seriously is if you accept it as a spoof. And that's just not me. The whole thing was unbelievable and silly.

I didn't mind the format of the story, all email, text messages and letters between the characters …. except from Daphne herself. That was annoying.

In that this is a story about getting a man for Daphne, turning to the end proved that I had already guessed correctly by p.75.

Not recommended.

Borrowed from my local library.

[Thresea Dowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an interesting concept and there are a few very funny exchanges but for the most part Daphne is insecure, neurotic, and deceptive. I'm not a fan of her character. By the end of the book, I almost wished she had been committed to the psych hospital she worked in.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that you just can't properly explain what you have read? One of those books that if someone asked you what genre it fell into, you can't pinpoint it. For me, The Near Daphne Experience falls into this category. I do have to admit I did finish the book, but it was a weird ride to be on. This book is written completely in letter format and the odd text messages/ psych notes and emails. We have Daphne our main character who works as a psychiatrist and one of her patients is Jonathan who killed his sister Georgia and blames his mother. During the books, we see her notes about each of her sessions with him and she ends up using him in a plan that backfires near the end of the book aka The Red Picnic. I thought of Game of Thrones with this title but it was nowhere as exciting or bloody despite Daphne's hopes. During the book, we read as Daphne corresponds with her Mum Marion, best friend Celeste, and then also Jonathan's correspondence with Serial Killer Myra Hindley. I have to admit I hated the character of Daphne as she plays Ms. Innocent but she is psychotic herself and has a strong jealousy streak as she plays the victim yet she is having an affair with her best friend's husband and also wants to date a guy who really likes everyone but her and she's convinced he's her dream guy and then when things don't go her way, she gets pouty and decides to off them all via a killer but of course, that backfires too and she still doesn't admit that she did anything wrong, like really she is the one who should be in a psych ward - Ms. Narcisstic.
Overall, it was a good read but I shall let you decide for yourself how you feel and whether or not you give it a go as I am sitting on the fence with this one.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

✍️ This is the story of Psychiatrist Daphne Buckley who is single and looking for love. As this story is set before dating apps were invented she starts looking in the classified adds whilst also getting help from her imperious mother and best friend.

This was such a DELIGHTFUL debut by @alisonreynoldsauthor written solely in Email, Letter, Memo,Text Message and Psychiatric Reports format which I adored. It featured a variety of themes that I enjoy reading about such as Romance,Thriller and Slapstick Comedy.

The writing was very well written and brimming with humour which was imaginative and uproarious that I couldn't stop laughing. I relished the variety of POV which each had a unique feel to them.

The characters were simply eccentric and animated. I couldn't put it down. I really appreciated the fact that even though you don't hear from Daphne personally in this story except for feedback on her Patient Notes you still learn so much about her. An inventive way to write about a character.

I have heard many good things about the audio version of this book so will have to check it out.

So many twists and turns. Highly recommend!

[Alistair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Daphne Buckley is a psychiatrist working in the Victorian country town of Hamilton. At The Peaceful Glades facility, her principal patient is Jonathan, indefinitely incarcerated for murder. Jonathan writes letters to two people; his mother (letters to whom are confiscated by Daphne), and Myra Hindley.
The Near Daphne Experience is a clever concept: in a novel consisting of texts, emails, and letters, The Reader never actually learns what Daphne has to say. Her presence in the novel is always in counterpoint to the other people in her life. First, and perhaps foremost”Mummy”, a woman without a clue of her effect on others - in particular her daughter, and a woman totally at ease with her social snobbery.
Also on the roster of regular correspondents is Celeste, Daphne’s best friend from school days, unhappily married to the ear-studded, pony-tail wearing Digby. Plus various would-be suitors, disgruntled local trades people, an unscrupulous boss…
As funny as the novel is, and it is, the format wears thin over 390 pages. Tighter editing would only have enhanced the humour.

[Helen Farch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne Buckley is a psychiatrist in search of love. In the days before online dating apps, people turned to 'looking for love' classified ads and Daphne has decided this is the way she will find her great love. Of course, she also has her overbearing mother and well meaning best friend who are determined to "help".

Told totally in letters and emails sent to Daphne, as well as her case notes on the psychopathic killer she is treating, this is a book with a difference - and I loved it.

While we never actually meet Daphne, we find out so much about her from the people she surrounds herself with.

This is a book for anyone with a mother who insists on giving you grooming tips for your unkempt leg hair, with a best friend who just might like your mother more than she likes you, who is prepared to find love by any means necessary, or who just loves a good laugh.

[Jaclyn]

This was surprising at every turn. It reminded me a little of Rainbow Rowell’s Attachments, a novel told almost entirely through emails and very much about early online communication. Here it’s a similar era and the emails, text messages, letters, postcards, psychiatric reports and work memos tell the story. Daphne’s mother and best friend desperately want to help her find love and this book spirals to its completely bonkers conclusion. We hear from everybody except Daphne herself. The fun is keeping up with the twists and turns and trying to imagine how on earth Reynolds will pull all these people and the various forms together.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting way to get to know our main character, through correspondence to her. We never got to hear directly from Daphne, but we knew her through these emails, letter and text messages. Her voice was loud in these exchanges.
I laughed so much at her mother. She loves to interfere and express her opinions, especially when he's opinion was not wanted. Mummy had no idea how much she was annoying Daphne and trying to control her life. Mummy liked to 'help' and Daphne was not having any of that.
The character list was fun to get to know and they all had quirks which made for many laugh out loud moments.
Don't be out off by the story being told only through correspondence, it is worth it.

[Melpomene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely delightful riotous romp where anything is possible! What a wonderful way to experience this restrained yet raucous novel told via emails and texts of the story of Daphne, a psychiatrist looking for love than on Audible as well. With outrageously mad family and friends interweaving their subplots into a tantalising tangle and a neverending twisting plot that constantly surprises and delights you’re in for a ride that keeps you chuckling and gasping incredulously for hours!

[Debra Tidball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and very clever. With darkly funny and outrageous twists and not to be taken too seriously, it was a great holiday read. I was impressed at how skilfully a character could be built up only from correspondence to them, nothing from them, which is so very clever as the character is totally, shockingly, unlikable!

[orinianao]

What do you mean she's having an affair with her best friend's husband? Her best friend who, might I add, absolutely adores her and sees her as one of the most intelligent and capable people on earth. I cannot accept this.

Also, the whole book is written in the format of compiled texts, letters, emails and reports in chronological order. I hate it.

[Rajie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I may have mentioned that I liked epistolary books, and this one, told in emails and mixed media, may be the exception. I spent some time not knowing what was going on, and once I did know, I wasn’t very impressed by it at all. The writing is OK but the characters are mostly unlikeable, so very middle-of-the-road for me.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light, lively, inventive and funny novel. The narrative is revealed via correspondence and it is a great holiday read.
Daphne, a psychiatrist, is an interesting character, her friends and family are hilarious but is Daphne who we think...4.5 stars.

[Kyannah Pather · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok i’m stuck in a 3rd world country and this is all i had but bruh this author gave up like 3/4 of the way of this book

the layout idea was amazing though. kept my interest. just sucked that the author literally had no idea what the plot was.

[jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally every character was unlikeable. The book was crass, unnecessarily dark and painful to read. An example of how humour isn’t always a good match for dark topics. Absolutely misleading blurb and featured reviews - this was a truly awful book and not funny or heartwarming in the slightest.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The format of emails and letters is quite fun and makes the book easy to get through! Not hearing from Daphne directly forces you to put the puzzle pieces together from conversations with different people, but towards the end it was fun to have the ah-hah! moment of realisation of Daphne’s intentions.
SPOILERS
I wished she’d got gotten more karma for being a backstabber with ill intentions (and internal hatred of the ppl ‘closest’ to her).