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A review by lucyp747d4
Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Alliott
4.0
I’d like to thank Sriya from Michael Joseph for contacting me to take part in this blog tour. I have never read anything by Catherine Alliot before so I was excited to discover a new author.
The story is told entirely from Lucy’s point of view as she comes to terms with the end of her marriage and deciding what she wants to do next. I hadn’t expected the story to start quite as dark as it did and I was shocked to of learnt that not only had Lucy endured so much mental abuse but she had put up with it for so long! Some would argue that she should of walked away years ago but as I learnt more about her marriage I could see why it wasn’t so easy for Lucy. Michael’s behaviour was disgusting and hard to read at times but it was his revenge that was the worst. He was manipulative and calculative in his actions and I can understand Lucy’s fear for what might happen if she tried to leave.
Lucy was a very warm and friendly main character. She clearly had a lot of love for her children and I loved the relationship she had with them. Imo and Ned were brilliant and had inherited their mothers compassion and kindness. They felt like a strong unit that had suffered for years but kept each other going, there was no resentment or hatred within their circle.
Whilst the start of the story dealt with some heavy topics, as the story progressed the clouds started to part and the sunshine shone through, in the form of Lucy’s parents! I found myself giggling at their funny ways, raucous parties and candid nature. Their neighbours were very funny and they just reminded me of a group of teenagers! I also appreciated the quieter moments where Lucy’s parents showed their appreciation for her help. It must of been hard for them to lose some of that independence and accept that whilst they were capable of looking after themselves they did need someone to give them a helping hand.
As the story progresses we see Lucy faced with further troubles from her past and this gave the story another layer that I hadn’t expected. I actually didn’t need the romance with Dan or Josh, it felt a little much for me. I was more interested in Lucy’s life as a free woman, away from the troubles of her marriage and finally enjoying her life.
This book explores that dark side of marriage and the ripple effect it has on the whole family. It shows how a poison can seep into the cracks without you realising but also how through solidarity and strength you can find a light at the end.
The story is told entirely from Lucy’s point of view as she comes to terms with the end of her marriage and deciding what she wants to do next. I hadn’t expected the story to start quite as dark as it did and I was shocked to of learnt that not only had Lucy endured so much mental abuse but she had put up with it for so long! Some would argue that she should of walked away years ago but as I learnt more about her marriage I could see why it wasn’t so easy for Lucy. Michael’s behaviour was disgusting and hard to read at times but it was his revenge that was the worst. He was manipulative and calculative in his actions and I can understand Lucy’s fear for what might happen if she tried to leave.
Lucy was a very warm and friendly main character. She clearly had a lot of love for her children and I loved the relationship she had with them. Imo and Ned were brilliant and had inherited their mothers compassion and kindness. They felt like a strong unit that had suffered for years but kept each other going, there was no resentment or hatred within their circle.
Whilst the start of the story dealt with some heavy topics, as the story progressed the clouds started to part and the sunshine shone through, in the form of Lucy’s parents! I found myself giggling at their funny ways, raucous parties and candid nature. Their neighbours were very funny and they just reminded me of a group of teenagers! I also appreciated the quieter moments where Lucy’s parents showed their appreciation for her help. It must of been hard for them to lose some of that independence and accept that whilst they were capable of looking after themselves they did need someone to give them a helping hand.
As the story progresses we see Lucy faced with further troubles from her past and this gave the story another layer that I hadn’t expected. I actually didn’t need the romance with Dan or Josh, it felt a little much for me. I was more interested in Lucy’s life as a free woman, away from the troubles of her marriage and finally enjoying her life.
This book explores that dark side of marriage and the ripple effect it has on the whole family. It shows how a poison can seep into the cracks without you realising but also how through solidarity and strength you can find a light at the end.