A review by careymacaulay
The Winter's Child by Cassandra Parkin

3.0

Plagued with guilty feelings, Susannah's decent into madness culminates in an ending you see coming a mile away. We don't know exactly how the book ends, because Susannah is constantly hallucinating and imagining and dreaming and having visions. But, we also know, life as she knew it is gone. The unravelling of Susannah and John's relationship is also told in a very realistic way -- starting with their inability to have a child and Susannah's progressive selfishness once they adopt Joel. It is also a stark portrayal of what happens when two parents are not on the same page and the outcome, albeit, a very dramatic depiction. I empathised so much with John and detested Susannah! These are all the good things about this story. But, there is also an equal number of not so good.

I just do not understand the relationship between Nick and Susannah. Her side is easily understood -- her loneliness and her madness. But what about him? As the story progressed I felt as if he knew what Susannah has done and is waiting for her to remember but that just ups the ickiness factor for me. Especially, as he is a policeman and also married. And what is with the neighbour? And what is with the psychics?? And what is with everyone around Susannah, really? All the episodes and everyone just lets her drive and live alone and be about in the world??

I am definitely on the fence with this one.