A review by bluestarfish
My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley

challenging dark medium-paced

5.0

This was an unsettling and unflinching observation of Hen and Bridget and their relationship. The phantoms are in some ways Bridget's parents and the toxic environment they have created. Her father someone to be endured, ignored where possible, and escaped as soon as allowed. Her mother is more compelling and still involved in her life in the ways that could be with all the barriers of communication and differing expectations and realities. The repetitions and cycles of their relationship seem to never go anywhere new. The dialogue and the details make for a rich experience considering how short it is - so much conveyed in such short a time. Hen remains unscrutable to Bridget and the ending is haunting. This was such a rich book.