This novel got me pondering on what makes some books unputdownable. It's not a reflection of quality, as I freely admit to gobbling up a number of books which are far from being literary masterpieces but which nevertheless I feel impelled to get through as fast as I can. Other times, as with The Blank Wall which I wrote about a couple of days go, I can be rivetted by the plot but deliberately slow myself down in order to savour the book properly. I suppose it must generally be something to do with the nature of the plot, though -- a desire to see what will happen next. I don't have a definitive answer to this but I'm willing to bet that someone out there does -- so if that's you, tell me what you think.
Anyway, I certainly raced through The Trouble with Alice. This is the story of a young professional couple, Kit and Alice. As the novel begins they are on holiday in Jordan, taking a break from their busy lives and celebrating Alice's pregnancy -- or at least Alice is celebrating it, though Kit seems a little ambivalent. But a horrific car accident changes everything -- though neither of them is seriously injured, Alice loses the baby. And rather than drawing them closer together, this tragedy drives a huge wedge between them. Alice becomes increasingly withdrawn, Kit increasingly angry and confused. It seems as if there is no hope at all for what seemed to be a strong and loving relationship. But... well, things change and the ending, if not conclusive, is at least promising.
This is a very sensitive depiction of a delicate and painful issue. What I thought was particularly good about it was that the focus of the novel is evenly distributed between Alice and Kit, so that it's impossible to lay the blame for what happens on either of them, or perhaps you could say both of them are equally responsible. Alice's breakdown, for that is what it is, is extraordinarily well done. Her emotional withdrawal leads to severe anorexia, and I have never before read anything which seemed to depict that state so vividly. As for Kit, he is forced to confront all kinds of blocks and issues which have prevented him rejoicing in the coming child. If this all sounds a bit psychobabbley I can assure you it's not presented that way. What it really is is an exploration of relationships -- how they work, what stops them from working, what might possibly make them start to work again. And who does not find that interesting?
This is Olivia Glazebrook's first novel -- well done, Olivia. It's out tomorrow in hardback but you can already get it on Kindle for some reason. Thanks to Short Books for sending it to me!
