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A review by okiecozyreader
Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Interestingly, this book is similar to Burst, which I recently finished. Both are about a main character and her difficult relationship with her mother. They both deal with difficult topics and kind of end in somewhat similar ways.
This one however, also focuses on the relationship between sisters, in this complicated and kind of ugly family dynamic. Their mom is abusive and her sister is in a relationship with an abusive guy, who also abuses her. When that dynamic comes to an awful point, Meredith basically locks herself in her home, in which she hasn’t left for over 1000 days. Fortunately, she has a good friend who regularly checks on her. She is also curious about herself and her past, and is willing to make steps to move forward.
With found family and many likable characters, it makes this book with some difficult topics, very likable ones itself. It takes place in Glasgow and the area in which she lives is almost a character unto itself. I couldn’t stop thinking about Meredith. My mind would check on her throughout the day. She is a very unique and interesting character - likable even though she is living very much alone.
“Sometimes people don’t point out the obvious.” Day 1222
“…she manages to get a photo of me looking like a normal, fun-loving forty-year-old woman who might not be living her best life but is trying her hardest.” Day 1392
“Before we leave, I stare at her face, trying to find a tiny piece of love.” Day 1446
“I’ve always been interested in the distinction between loneliness and being alone.” Author Q&A
“To quote Virginia Woolf, “In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us.” The Joy of Being Alone
This one however, also focuses on the relationship between sisters, in this complicated and kind of ugly family dynamic. Their mom is abusive and her sister is in a relationship with an abusive guy, who also abuses her. When that dynamic comes to an awful point, Meredith basically locks herself in her home, in which she hasn’t left for over 1000 days. Fortunately, she has a good friend who regularly checks on her. She is also curious about herself and her past, and is willing to make steps to move forward.
With found family and many likable characters, it makes this book with some difficult topics, very likable ones itself. It takes place in Glasgow and the area in which she lives is almost a character unto itself. I couldn’t stop thinking about Meredith. My mind would check on her throughout the day. She is a very unique and interesting character - likable even though she is living very much alone.
“Sometimes people don’t point out the obvious.” Day 1222
“…she manages to get a photo of me looking like a normal, fun-loving forty-year-old woman who might not be living her best life but is trying her hardest.” Day 1392
“Before we leave, I stare at her face, trying to find a tiny piece of love.” Day 1446
“I’ve always been interested in the distinction between loneliness and being alone.” Author Q&A
“To quote Virginia Woolf, “In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us.” The Joy of Being Alone
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cancer