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The Other Side of You
Other Side of You
271 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2006
63 people are currently reading
1057 people want to read
About the author
Salley Vickers
37 books349 followersSalley Vickers was born in Liverpool, the home of her mother, and grew up as the child of parents in the British Communist Party. She won a state scholarship to St Paul’s Girl’s School and went on to read English at Newnham College Cambridge.
She has worked, variously, as a cleaner, a dancer, an artist’s model, a teacher of children with special needs, a university teacher of literature, and a psychoanalyst. Her first novel, ‘Miss Garnet’s Angel’, became an international word-of-mouth bestseller. She now writes full time and lectures widely on many subjects, particularly the connections between, art, literature, psychology and religion.
Her principal interests are opera, bird watching, dancing, and poetry. One of her father's favourite poets, W.B.Yeats, was responsible for her name Salley, (the Irish for 'willow') which comes from Yeats’s poem set to music by Benjamin Britten 'Down by the salley gardens'.
She has worked, variously, as a cleaner, a dancer, an artist’s model, a teacher of children with special needs, a university teacher of literature, and a psychoanalyst. Her first novel, ‘Miss Garnet’s Angel’, became an international word-of-mouth bestseller. She now writes full time and lectures widely on many subjects, particularly the connections between, art, literature, psychology and religion.
Her principal interests are opera, bird watching, dancing, and poetry. One of her father's favourite poets, W.B.Yeats, was responsible for her name Salley, (the Irish for 'willow') which comes from Yeats’s poem set to music by Benjamin Britten 'Down by the salley gardens'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
September 5, 2019
4.5*
It's my second book from this author and she is fast becoming one of my favourites. There is a kind of haunting and poetic quality to her prose. Not much action as such but somehow the story and thoughts that result from it keep playing in your mind long after you've finished reading it.
This moving tale revolves around a woman, who has just failed suicide, and her psychiatrist. The latter tries to reach her with difficulty, but one day succeeds when they accidentally start talking about art, and in particular Caravaggio's paintings. Although the subject matter might sound depressing, let me reassure you it is anything but. On the contrary, I found it refreshing. The book doesn't promise the answer to life - just a tale about characters on a journey of discovery. It is simply written but with an elegance that is very touching. No long discourse on theories but thought-provoking discussions, such as the ones about some big misconceptions our societies seem to suffer from, and even taboos, such as the ones about death, suffering, and mental illness. We’d rather hide and forget about it. I particularly loved the following quote, exclamation from one of the protagonists, which sounded so true:
"Trouble with this age is it's got hold of the crackpot notion you can do away with suffering... Someone says, "help, help, it hurts", and they hand out a bloody drug and say, "there, there, this'll make it better". That's sticking-plaster mentality. It doesn't make the bloody awfulness go away. It just covers it up. Pathology. The logos of suffering, or the word on suffering. Well, the "word" on suffering is it has to be bloody well suffered, not covered up”.
Salley Vickers, who used to be a University Lit teacher and then a psychoanalyst before turning to writing, puts together a strange mixture of literature and psychology, but it works and even complement each other. She also seems to bring art and Italy into her stories one way or the other. On a funny note, the psychologist of the story is quite obsessed with Jane Austen's work at the beginning and compares people to characters...
It's my second book from this author and she is fast becoming one of my favourites. There is a kind of haunting and poetic quality to her prose. Not much action as such but somehow the story and thoughts that result from it keep playing in your mind long after you've finished reading it.
This moving tale revolves around a woman, who has just failed suicide, and her psychiatrist. The latter tries to reach her with difficulty, but one day succeeds when they accidentally start talking about art, and in particular Caravaggio's paintings. Although the subject matter might sound depressing, let me reassure you it is anything but. On the contrary, I found it refreshing. The book doesn't promise the answer to life - just a tale about characters on a journey of discovery. It is simply written but with an elegance that is very touching. No long discourse on theories but thought-provoking discussions, such as the ones about some big misconceptions our societies seem to suffer from, and even taboos, such as the ones about death, suffering, and mental illness. We’d rather hide and forget about it. I particularly loved the following quote, exclamation from one of the protagonists, which sounded so true:
"Trouble with this age is it's got hold of the crackpot notion you can do away with suffering... Someone says, "help, help, it hurts", and they hand out a bloody drug and say, "there, there, this'll make it better". That's sticking-plaster mentality. It doesn't make the bloody awfulness go away. It just covers it up. Pathology. The logos of suffering, or the word on suffering. Well, the "word" on suffering is it has to be bloody well suffered, not covered up”.
Salley Vickers, who used to be a University Lit teacher and then a psychoanalyst before turning to writing, puts together a strange mixture of literature and psychology, but it works and even complement each other. She also seems to bring art and Italy into her stories one way or the other. On a funny note, the psychologist of the story is quite obsessed with Jane Austen's work at the beginning and compares people to characters...
October 22, 2009
What a good book! It was one you could really "sink your teeth into".... with references to poetry, art, biblical stories, and psychology to think about and learn about. I really enjoyed it. The author is SO insightful. I loved the words that Elizabeth wrote to Thomas at the end,"Were not our hearts burning inside us?" What a great use of the words from the end of the Emmaus biblical story! That made me sob. Just like the disciples, a story that began in gloom and despair ends in new life and hope for all involved. But the author didn't go for the easy ending, either. I thought the way the relationship between Elizabeth and Thomas ends is very realistic -- even if I was sad about it.
January 13, 2018
"Engaging and Poignant"
Without giving away too many spoilers, as this book has quite a narrow narrative and storyline, so it would be easy to do so, I would just say that if you like a book where the characters truly engage with one another, then this is a must read for you.
The patient and her psychologist, through their sharing of experiences, create a powerful and frighteningly honest reality about life, that left me questioning my own thoughts and actions. Much as it did David McBride, the pschologist in question, who is left to re-evaluate both his personal and professional life, and his ability to make an honest and meaningful difference to the lives of those around him.
The characters are complex, formed with great tenderness and respect, and given a life that is both moving and powerful. The storyline of the psychiatrist trying to help his suicidal patient shifts, page by page, into a shared pain, as their stories unfold together, with each trying to reach some kind of self-understanding, as they confront their failures and regrets with an honesty that can be both moving and painful.
Sometimes I just wanted to shake the pair of them, at other times I wanted to cry for them, or with them, I'm not sure which. The debate about the nature of relationships; love and pain; life and death; self knowledge and lack of self worth, are all skilfully woven into the story, yet presented so directly as to be almost too intimate and too close to home, all making for a totally compelling journey.
It was almost a relief when the couple are finally all talked out and have each, in their own way, come to an understanding and acceptance of their individual circumstances and both make the conscious decision to make the most of every opportunity and move on with their lives, each in a totally new direction.
The story didn't quite end as I had expected however, although it was quite haunting and beautiful, given the ties throughout the story to the art of Caravaggio, particularly his work titled `Supper At Emmaus', which both inspired them to open up to each other, yet eventually appeared destined to keep them apart.
Not being an art crtitic, I nevertheless spent some considerable time in researching the art and life of Caravaggio and confess to becoming mesmerised by many of his religious paintings, although the man himself appeared to be quite a troubled and not particularly likeable character. To my untrained eye, his paintings seem passionate, yet almost cruel, but with an expressive beauty that captured my imagination.
Without giving away too many spoilers, as this book has quite a narrow narrative and storyline, so it would be easy to do so, I would just say that if you like a book where the characters truly engage with one another, then this is a must read for you.
The patient and her psychologist, through their sharing of experiences, create a powerful and frighteningly honest reality about life, that left me questioning my own thoughts and actions. Much as it did David McBride, the pschologist in question, who is left to re-evaluate both his personal and professional life, and his ability to make an honest and meaningful difference to the lives of those around him.
The characters are complex, formed with great tenderness and respect, and given a life that is both moving and powerful. The storyline of the psychiatrist trying to help his suicidal patient shifts, page by page, into a shared pain, as their stories unfold together, with each trying to reach some kind of self-understanding, as they confront their failures and regrets with an honesty that can be both moving and painful.
Sometimes I just wanted to shake the pair of them, at other times I wanted to cry for them, or with them, I'm not sure which. The debate about the nature of relationships; love and pain; life and death; self knowledge and lack of self worth, are all skilfully woven into the story, yet presented so directly as to be almost too intimate and too close to home, all making for a totally compelling journey.
It was almost a relief when the couple are finally all talked out and have each, in their own way, come to an understanding and acceptance of their individual circumstances and both make the conscious decision to make the most of every opportunity and move on with their lives, each in a totally new direction.
The story didn't quite end as I had expected however, although it was quite haunting and beautiful, given the ties throughout the story to the art of Caravaggio, particularly his work titled `Supper At Emmaus', which both inspired them to open up to each other, yet eventually appeared destined to keep them apart.
Not being an art crtitic, I nevertheless spent some considerable time in researching the art and life of Caravaggio and confess to becoming mesmerised by many of his religious paintings, although the man himself appeared to be quite a troubled and not particularly likeable character. To my untrained eye, his paintings seem passionate, yet almost cruel, but with an expressive beauty that captured my imagination.
March 20, 2010
Vickers' style and empathy engage me, please me, to the point that I want to set other things aside and just keep reading. (Even more than usual with me). As in another novel by her that I've read, Miss Garnet's Angel, she brings me deep into the world of people who are lonely, apart, in some way and who search for, sometimes achieving, some community and love. Her details are telling, and real. (Goodreads' summary description is so good I don't need to give more info re content, I think. Do you, my friends, agree?)
January 6, 2021
It took me quite a bit of time to get involved in this novel, but once I did, I really enjoyed it.
August 8, 2016
When I embarked upon this summer's project to find and read books about therapy and therapists, this well-written, well-constructed novel is exactly what I was hoping to discover. The characters are literate, articulate and smart, and the psychiatrist main character is likeable and has complex and nuanced views on therapy and psychological processes. Nothing is ultimately tied up in sugary little bows, and all predictable cliches are avoided, yet the ending points to integration, hope, and maybe even happiness. A deeply thoughtful and satisfying meditation on human connection and the power of simple, engaged listening and caring. I'll be seeking out Vickers' other books. (By the way, bonus if you're a fan of the artist Caravaggio.)
November 21, 2008
Tortuous, which is a shame because the relationship between psychiatrist and patient had the capacity to explore their respective losses. Unfortunately the author failed to grasp the opportunity presented and set off on a meandering story that left this reader caring little for the outcome or the principle characers. A missed opportunity.
October 14, 2012
May be unfortunate that I came to this novel just after reading John Banville's 'Ancient Light'. I fully agreed with the few reviews that did not rave e.g. "It is not easy to empathise with Elizabeth. Having loved and lost Thomas Carrington, and having saddled herself with an empty marriage, ungrateful children and a mother-in-law from hell, she is given a second chance. Does she abandon dreary domesticity for a life of fun, frolic and Caravaggio with Thomas? Wishy-washy woman that she is she dilly-dallies and shilly-shallies until it is too late. It beats me what the entertaining, free-spirited Thomas sees in her... Ms Vickers is an analytical psychologist and admires Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Italy, and all of these predilections inform this work, for better or for worse. Her website also states that she is a writer of romantic literary fiction, "literary" perhaps implying that it is a cut above your average romantic fiction. Or perhaps just that it uses more words.
Jackie Walsh Ashgrove, Queensland
The story is engrossing up to a point, then it becomes meritricious, superficial, trite, banal womens' magazine stuff, the characters seriously unconvincing (with possible exception of Gus) and a cheap imitation/rehashing of EM Forster - the style likewise - difficult to believe the author has been exposed to "literary" greats, whereas one is intrigued and inspired by every word that someone like Banville writes. Am I missing something? The Guardian, Observor et al RAVE....??
Jackie Walsh Ashgrove, Queensland
The story is engrossing up to a point, then it becomes meritricious, superficial, trite, banal womens' magazine stuff, the characters seriously unconvincing (with possible exception of Gus) and a cheap imitation/rehashing of EM Forster - the style likewise - difficult to believe the author has been exposed to "literary" greats, whereas one is intrigued and inspired by every word that someone like Banville writes. Am I missing something? The Guardian, Observor et al RAVE....??
June 20, 2009
I read this book with pleasure. It's neatly plotted and written with skill and a certain buttoned-up elegance. But I was left with doubts about its final success. First, did anyone else find the narrator unconvincing? I would have found the book more believable if the narrative voice had been female, because David never fully persuaded me that he was male. I didn't expect Rambo, but there was something oddly neutered about the character that goes beyond the psychological damage he'd no doubt suffered. I also had problems with the speed with which Elizabeth decided to tell her tale. I know narrative time scales are necessarily more economical than those in real life, but there are ways and ways of disguising this, and I don't feel that it was particularly well done in this novel. There's also something rather precious and old-maidenly about the way the nature of love is represented that, despite the recruitment of Caravaggio and the slightly improbably figure of Thomas, finally started to irritate me. So it's a slightly reluctant three stars. But definitely better than the rather dreadful Mr Golightly's Holiday by the same author.
February 14, 2013
This book took some time to get off the ground, but once it got there I enjoyed it.
MINOR SPOILER...
I really enjoyed Elizabeth's story, which more or less occupied the middle of the book. Once she started telling her story, I was hooked. David, the narrator, tended to bog the story down. His commenting on things, his philosophizing, etc., made it difficult for me to get through the first 100 pages, as well as much of the final 50.
MINOR SPOILER...
I really enjoyed Elizabeth's story, which more or less occupied the middle of the book. Once she started telling her story, I was hooked. David, the narrator, tended to bog the story down. His commenting on things, his philosophizing, etc., made it difficult for me to get through the first 100 pages, as well as much of the final 50.
May 11, 2008
Somehow I didn't quite connect with this one. In part the tone of the narrator, in part the emphasis on Caravaggio. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either and was quite relieved to reach the end.
November 14, 2015
Infelizmente não consegui gostar deste livro, nada me cativou... nem a história, nem as personagens, na verdade achei a estrutura do livro desmotivante para a leitura.
August 20, 2023
*This was my very next Salley Vickers novel, after I finished
*Her
*Excellent WHERE THREE ROADS MEET.
*Owing
*To
*How much I
*Enjoyed
*Reading that book, I
*Simply had to get my hands on this one when I discovered that Vickers worked as a psychoanalyst. The novel revolves around a psychoanalytical relationship between a male psychiatrist & a female failed-suicide. I expected
*It to have psychologically insightful elements to its storyline & a
*Dialogue dynamic similar to WHERE THREE ROADS MEET. It didn't disappoint, as it kept me curiously
*Engaged with its deeper, human drama. But there was
*One aspect to its narrative style that I couldn't
*Fail to ignore. The 1st person narrator – the male psychiatrist – recounts his story & the case of his female patient,
*Yet is
*Omnisciently capable of retelling every detail & dialogue of her story as if he himself were present with her during the events recounted. This for me felt too
*Unconvincing, & therefore affected my reading of a, nevertheless, engrossing book that blends Caravaggio's artwork & the Emmaus story in the Gospel of Luke with our frail, human condition confronting the impactful mysteries of life, death, love & loss.
*Her
*Excellent WHERE THREE ROADS MEET.
*Owing
*To
*How much I
*Enjoyed
*Reading that book, I
*Simply had to get my hands on this one when I discovered that Vickers worked as a psychoanalyst. The novel revolves around a psychoanalytical relationship between a male psychiatrist & a female failed-suicide. I expected
*It to have psychologically insightful elements to its storyline & a
*Dialogue dynamic similar to WHERE THREE ROADS MEET. It didn't disappoint, as it kept me curiously
*Engaged with its deeper, human drama. But there was
*One aspect to its narrative style that I couldn't
*Fail to ignore. The 1st person narrator – the male psychiatrist – recounts his story & the case of his female patient,
*Yet is
*Omnisciently capable of retelling every detail & dialogue of her story as if he himself were present with her during the events recounted. This for me felt too
*Unconvincing, & therefore affected my reading of a, nevertheless, engrossing book that blends Caravaggio's artwork & the Emmaus story in the Gospel of Luke with our frail, human condition confronting the impactful mysteries of life, death, love & loss.
October 25, 2022
Sally Vickers is clearly an exceedingly talented writer. Not always easy to read due to the complexity of her prose but the storyline is clever and engaging.
Definitely worth adding to your reading list.
Definitely worth adding to your reading list.
September 21, 2020
Very similar in tone and somewhat similar in content to Miss Garnet's Angel. Quiet and contemplative and soothing.
October 20, 2025
Beautifully written and did enjoy (although failed to understand most of) the art history elements. But overall I wasn’t hugely invested in the characters or the plot.
January 14, 2018
From my blog: readsreading.blogspot.com
Salley Vickers 2006 novel The Other Side of You explores the many dimensions of love and loss and celebrates the healing power of being heard and understood. After the love of her life dies, Elizabeth Cruikshank, a divorced mother of two, attempts suicide and lands in a mental hospital. She becomes the patient of David McBride, a psychiatrist who is haunted by an older brother who died when David was five years old.
Cruikshank initially sits in silence and will not speak to McBride. Yet in one magical moment brought on by a shared admiration of the artist, Caravaggio, a sense of safety wafts into the room. Elizabeth tells the tragic story of how she found true love, how she doubted the love, and how she lost it. As Elizabeth talks and McBride listens for seven hours, Elizabeth understands more about her relationship with Thomas Gallagher and the ways and reasons she sabotaged her own happiness. Vickers, a psychologist, seems to be lifting up the healing powers of listening and understanding another person without judgment and opprobrium. As David McBride states, “We all long for someone with whom we are able to share our peculiar burdens of being alive.”
In listening to Elizabeth Cruikshank’s heartbreaking tale, David McBride realizes something about his own life. Every choice he has made connects to the guilt he feels over the death of his brother. "I had lived with this invisible gash in my side, this breach in my dyke, this crumbling portion of my sea wall.”
Vickers seems to believe that people carry within them shame and embarrassment for choices they have made or things that they have done and so they hide their most authentic selves from themselves and others. McBride states, “It is hard to account for the common human resistance to happiness, unless it is that we would rather be crippled by what we lack than risk the pain that is one potential consequence of placing our secret selves in others’ hands.” And yet, paradoxically, he also says, “I believe that we are in anguish until someone finally finds us out.”
Though I found the characters distant, I applaud Vickers attempt to write a novel rich with history and ideas. The Other Side of You includes the poetry of TS Elliot, the art of Caravaggio, parables from the Bible, a positive representation of a therapeutic relationship, and the encouraging premise that people can be healed.
Salley Vickers 2006 novel The Other Side of You explores the many dimensions of love and loss and celebrates the healing power of being heard and understood. After the love of her life dies, Elizabeth Cruikshank, a divorced mother of two, attempts suicide and lands in a mental hospital. She becomes the patient of David McBride, a psychiatrist who is haunted by an older brother who died when David was five years old.
Cruikshank initially sits in silence and will not speak to McBride. Yet in one magical moment brought on by a shared admiration of the artist, Caravaggio, a sense of safety wafts into the room. Elizabeth tells the tragic story of how she found true love, how she doubted the love, and how she lost it. As Elizabeth talks and McBride listens for seven hours, Elizabeth understands more about her relationship with Thomas Gallagher and the ways and reasons she sabotaged her own happiness. Vickers, a psychologist, seems to be lifting up the healing powers of listening and understanding another person without judgment and opprobrium. As David McBride states, “We all long for someone with whom we are able to share our peculiar burdens of being alive.”
In listening to Elizabeth Cruikshank’s heartbreaking tale, David McBride realizes something about his own life. Every choice he has made connects to the guilt he feels over the death of his brother. "I had lived with this invisible gash in my side, this breach in my dyke, this crumbling portion of my sea wall.”
Vickers seems to believe that people carry within them shame and embarrassment for choices they have made or things that they have done and so they hide their most authentic selves from themselves and others. McBride states, “It is hard to account for the common human resistance to happiness, unless it is that we would rather be crippled by what we lack than risk the pain that is one potential consequence of placing our secret selves in others’ hands.” And yet, paradoxically, he also says, “I believe that we are in anguish until someone finally finds us out.”
Though I found the characters distant, I applaud Vickers attempt to write a novel rich with history and ideas. The Other Side of You includes the poetry of TS Elliot, the art of Caravaggio, parables from the Bible, a positive representation of a therapeutic relationship, and the encouraging premise that people can be healed.
June 5, 2024
Salley vickers has long been my favourite author.
Saying this is my favourite book would be an understatement.
A book about grief, unrequited love, the experience of ages, love or lack of love and human kindness. Oh, and a little history lesson on Caravaggio thrown in for good measure.
It's up to you whether you read the 4th stanza of part V of The Wasteland by TS Elliot before or after the book. I read the poem afterwards and found Salley Vickers book even more haunting afterwards.
Saying this is my favourite book would be an understatement.
A book about grief, unrequited love, the experience of ages, love or lack of love and human kindness. Oh, and a little history lesson on Caravaggio thrown in for good measure.
It's up to you whether you read the 4th stanza of part V of The Wasteland by TS Elliot before or after the book. I read the poem afterwards and found Salley Vickers book even more haunting afterwards.
August 2, 2014
I really am getting through a lot of these books that have been abandoned for a while. This is yet another book, I think I’ve had it since sixth form, so about 5 years now. I always was interested in the premise. I don’t know why I never picked it up until now. To be honest, it is probably because I hadn’t heard any buzz about the novel and I can sort of see why. I don’t know why this book was written.
The story is told from the perspective of a therapist and it is about a particular patient who resonated with him. The blurb promises a bit of mystery, a bit of something out of the ordinary. But it was all a little level, there was no rise or fall in the story – no real conflict. A lot of it was predictable like the parts about his wife. Not really what you want in a novel.
The characters all fell a little flat for me, David, Mrs Cruikshanks … meh.
Like I said, I didn’t really see the point of the story – it didn’t seem to have a purpose, a message or even an interesting analogy. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
The story is told from the perspective of a therapist and it is about a particular patient who resonated with him. The blurb promises a bit of mystery, a bit of something out of the ordinary. But it was all a little level, there was no rise or fall in the story – no real conflict. A lot of it was predictable like the parts about his wife. Not really what you want in a novel.
The characters all fell a little flat for me, David, Mrs Cruikshanks … meh.
Like I said, I didn’t really see the point of the story – it didn’t seem to have a purpose, a message or even an interesting analogy. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
July 14, 2015
This is one of the best books I have read and I picked this gem up when my dad passed away and when I was going through a rather dark period in my life.
This book is rather dark and discusses mental illness and suicide with Art. The dialogue is poignant, witty and it taught me a lot. I re visit this book every month as Ms Vickers has inspired me to write.
The narrator, Dr David McBride, has issues to deal with and his patient Ms Elizabeth Cruikshank 9who has attempted suicide) unknowingly reaches inside of him and makes face his issues and life.
I don't want to give away anymore of the story and please pick it up and read it. it gives people hope and a will in a very light tender and not in your face sort of way.
Ms Vickers, Thank you so much for this book and you have a lifelong Fan!
This book is rather dark and discusses mental illness and suicide with Art. The dialogue is poignant, witty and it taught me a lot. I re visit this book every month as Ms Vickers has inspired me to write.
The narrator, Dr David McBride, has issues to deal with and his patient Ms Elizabeth Cruikshank 9who has attempted suicide) unknowingly reaches inside of him and makes face his issues and life.
I don't want to give away anymore of the story and please pick it up and read it. it gives people hope and a will in a very light tender and not in your face sort of way.
Ms Vickers, Thank you so much for this book and you have a lifelong Fan!
May 20, 2016
Generally I've enjoyed reading books by Salley Vickers, but this one left me with many questions and lack of empathy with what i think was her message. I was puzzled by the narrator; what is the aim of apparently seeking for us to identify with or accept the wisdom of someone who is so unpleasantly sexist? I kept expecting part of the story to be written in another voice to point up the characteristics of this narrators not those of the author. I was unsure about the extent of the evangelism. I didn't understand or like the odd supernatural elements. I found that the comments about death, loss and love read like a self-help book and seemed slightly crass. A good story though and engaging in many ways. I think I will go back to reading the others now to see if they actually have the same faults which I missed at the time.
July 26, 2016
The Other Side of You is about an encounter between two people; an encounter that, in different ways, saves both their lives. A serious suicide attempt has brought Elizabeth Cruikshank to the hospital where David McBride works as a psychoanalytically orientated psychiatrist. Shrouded in her despair, David is unable to make any progress with his patient until, recalling a painting by Caravaggio, he acknowledges their mutual stumbling humanity. In the course of a mammoth therapy session, Elizabeth shares her story of the love lost and found and lost again that led to her attempt to take her own life.
Full review on my blog:
http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/1/post/...
Full review on my blog:
http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/1/post/...
November 30, 2009
Well, Salley Vickers is a good writer but I don't really enjoy her style of writing. this book is really different from the books that i usually read such as chick-lit, teens, relationships, family, friends and so forth. Sally Vickers writing is somewhat between the classical writing and the modern writing. the reason i bought this book is because i read many praises for the book in the beginning of the book thus i thought it was really good, so i was a bit disappointed when i find this book kinda boring. it's really not the type of book that i fancy but overall, it's really something different about this book.
August 28, 2011
I'm not sure what I feel about this book. Sometimes it's romantic, sometimes it's glib, sometimes it's unbelievable in the neat way the characters' needs and insights fit together. There are a lot of elements swirling together. Sometimes it's profound, sometimes platitudinous. Nothing would ever happen this way. But nothing in fiction ever would. But are the characters round? Is this a world? Perhaps it's too didactic. Too much a clinical psychiatrist trying to abstract the things learned from all the patients. I don't know. It is well written. I kept turning the pages. I would like to look at the author's other books. So that's a successful novel, isn't it.
January 25, 2011
This definitely goes into the "Books That Changed My Life" column. I first heard of it from the Post’s Michael Dirda—always a trusted source--though what I came away with exceeded his praise. Vickers is British, with a background in literature and psychotherapy. In this story, she examines a patient/therapist relationship, how their sharing changes each, while tying in Caravaggio’s life, as well as scripture, with thought-provoking and heartbreaking results. I adored this book, have the marked up hardcover to prove it, and did a fair amount of weeping.
November 7, 2012
Hadn't read this author before but will definitely look for more.
The narrator is a middle-aged (male) psycho-analyst who becomes intrigued by a female patient who has tried to commit suicide. Their stories unravel side by side: he has a tragedy in his past and an unsatisfactory marriage; her tale is one of 'soul mates' who never quite manage to get it together.
I don't believe in soul mates or Mr Rights or anything of that sort, but I was deeply moved. Which is another way of saying I wept buckets. I came away with an overwhelming feeling of 'What a waste.'
The narrator is a middle-aged (male) psycho-analyst who becomes intrigued by a female patient who has tried to commit suicide. Their stories unravel side by side: he has a tragedy in his past and an unsatisfactory marriage; her tale is one of 'soul mates' who never quite manage to get it together.
I don't believe in soul mates or Mr Rights or anything of that sort, but I was deeply moved. Which is another way of saying I wept buckets. I came away with an overwhelming feeling of 'What a waste.'
January 31, 2013
Members of my book group loved this book. What I loved about it was the power the author gives to the role of a person's story being heard to contribute to healing, and the value of listening. I also enjoyed the way art played an important role in the healing of Elizabeth. David the psychiatrist learns to listen to his own story and review his own life. This is at times a painful process but one the ultimately makes him a more whole human being. The writing in this novel is spare and beautiful and tells stories of healing and hope with dignity and humanity.
February 25, 2008
beautifully written, quite understated tale narrated by David, the psychotherapist whose latest patient Elizabeth has just failed her suicide attempt. A very insightful novel, with wonderful ponderings on what true love really means and by the end you want to grab life with both hands and just go for it. This was my first experience of Sally Vickers and I am keen to savour some more of her work.
January 27, 2008
Sometimes we have to break the rules of polite society and risk losing everything for Big Love. This is a book for those that have loved boldly, those that have loved timidly and especially those that have loved and lost.
July 8, 2015
I had misgivings over this book when I started, and I was right! Why are all the characters so smug? They all seem to spend their time dispensing pithy sound bites to each other all day long. I hated them all.
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