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The Stranger She Knew
As a young woman, May found that sometimes it was easier to say nothing and cope with what life threw at her in silence. Now, decades later, May has suffered a stroke and has lost her ability to speak. She is still as sharp as ever, but only her daughter and a new friend from the care home, see this.
When May discovers that someone very familiar, from long ago, is living in the room opposite hers she is haunted by scenes from her earlier life. May is determined to protect everyone from this new threat, but how can she warn them without her voice? And who really is this man charming everyone in May’s life?
Tense, powerful and unnerving, The Stranger She Knew is a mystery that will surprise and shock you. It is an insightful portrait of a woman who refuses to remain silent, even when no one will listen.
* An earlier edition of this book was published with the title Hello, My Name is May *
When May discovers that someone very familiar, from long ago, is living in the room opposite hers she is haunted by scenes from her earlier life. May is determined to protect everyone from this new threat, but how can she warn them without her voice? And who really is this man charming everyone in May’s life?
Tense, powerful and unnerving, The Stranger She Knew is a mystery that will surprise and shock you. It is an insightful portrait of a woman who refuses to remain silent, even when no one will listen.
* An earlier edition of this book was published with the title Hello, My Name is May *
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2019
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383 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 16, 2020
Title I read is called THE STRANGER SHE KNEW
Lewisham 2017 - May is an elderly lady, she has had a stroke and is now in a care home unable to speak or do anything for herself which is a sources of agitation and much misunderstanding. She looks back on her marriage to abusive Alain in 1977 and the birth of her daughter Jenny and alternates between 2017/18 and 1977/78 which works really well.
The early part of May’s life is a very chilling, terrifying and heartbreaking portrayal of an abusive relationship, with the constant tension of egg shell treading as she tries to survive the mood swings and manipulation of a man who had hidden his dark side. It’s not an easy read but it is an extremely well written account which at times makes you gasp in shock. The older May is feisty, acerbic, darkly humorous and deeply frustrated at her attempts to communicate and this is a good contrast to her younger self. There are some really good characters, some to hate and some to love. The end is surprising and takes a bit of figuring out but it’s a very clever twist.
Overall, this is a really good psychological drama. It has sadness, tragedy, poignancy, heartbreak, misunderstanding and guilt. It makes you angry for the young May, it makes you frustrated for her too and at times it makes you want to cry.
With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the copy in return for an honest review.
Lewisham 2017 - May is an elderly lady, she has had a stroke and is now in a care home unable to speak or do anything for herself which is a sources of agitation and much misunderstanding. She looks back on her marriage to abusive Alain in 1977 and the birth of her daughter Jenny and alternates between 2017/18 and 1977/78 which works really well.
The early part of May’s life is a very chilling, terrifying and heartbreaking portrayal of an abusive relationship, with the constant tension of egg shell treading as she tries to survive the mood swings and manipulation of a man who had hidden his dark side. It’s not an easy read but it is an extremely well written account which at times makes you gasp in shock. The older May is feisty, acerbic, darkly humorous and deeply frustrated at her attempts to communicate and this is a good contrast to her younger self. There are some really good characters, some to hate and some to love. The end is surprising and takes a bit of figuring out but it’s a very clever twist.
Overall, this is a really good psychological drama. It has sadness, tragedy, poignancy, heartbreak, misunderstanding and guilt. It makes you angry for the young May, it makes you frustrated for her too and at times it makes you want to cry.
With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the copy in return for an honest review.
August 24, 2024
3⭐
Genre ~ domestic fiction
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ July 12, 2022
Est Page Count ~ 397 (24 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 39 minutes
Narrator ~ Helen Lloyd
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, dual timeline ~ 1970's and present, long chapters, domestic abuse, emotional abuse
TW: hiding because we find out late in the book
* An earlier edition of this book was published with the title Hello, My Name is May *
We first meet May in the present while she's in a care home as a result of a stroke. Then we head back to 1977 where it all began with her husband, Alain, and their daughter, Jenny.
This was a slow mover, but I couldn't help but feel sad for May in both timelines. The past because of the abuse she suffered and the present because she's unable to speak up when she desperately needs to. I thought how the author made her feel trapped in her own body was well done.
Definitely domestic fiction and not a thriller. Fine as a debut. Absolutely loved the ending.
Yay for another old one knocked off my list!
I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes:
She did fine.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ domestic fiction
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ July 12, 2022
Est Page Count ~ 397 (24 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 39 minutes
Narrator ~ Helen Lloyd
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, dual timeline ~ 1970's and present, long chapters, domestic abuse, emotional abuse
TW: hiding because we find out late in the book
* An earlier edition of this book was published with the title Hello, My Name is May *
We first meet May in the present while she's in a care home as a result of a stroke. Then we head back to 1977 where it all began with her husband, Alain, and their daughter, Jenny.
This was a slow mover, but I couldn't help but feel sad for May in both timelines. The past because of the abuse she suffered and the present because she's unable to speak up when she desperately needs to. I thought how the author made her feel trapped in her own body was well done.
Definitely domestic fiction and not a thriller. Fine as a debut. Absolutely loved the ending.
Yay for another old one knocked off my list!
I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes:
She did fine.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
January 6, 2021
Intelligent strong May has suffered a stroke, the frustration of no longer being able to communicate completely frustrates her.
But that wasn't always the case as a newly wed she was very timid and coped with lifes problems silently.
The novel is told over two timelines with May currently residing in a care home in Lewisham, whilst the women she used to be during the late 70's.
The contrast of being mute in an abusive relationship to a life threatening health condition runs parallel throughout the novel.
The author handle on May's condition is brilliantly tackled.
Seeing how May has changed over the decades helps through the more heartbreaking scenes in the accomplishment debut.
But that wasn't always the case as a newly wed she was very timid and coped with lifes problems silently.
The novel is told over two timelines with May currently residing in a care home in Lewisham, whilst the women she used to be during the late 70's.
The contrast of being mute in an abusive relationship to a life threatening health condition runs parallel throughout the novel.
The author handle on May's condition is brilliantly tackled.
Seeing how May has changed over the decades helps through the more heartbreaking scenes in the accomplishment debut.
Read
December 2, 2019The story starts in 2017 with May who is unable to speak. The thoughts that go through her head never make the light of day. She ends up in a nursing home. It is hard when she can’t communicate and people, including the carers misread her responses and attempted words. Her daughter Jenny who visits regularly sees something of the real May. But then A new woman in the home seems to get May and want to be her friend. But the stranger who is in the room opposite threatens that friendship. He reminds May too much of her husband, her life back in Hull and the abuse she suffered at his hands. May is determined that Jackie will not be taken in by this man.
To begin with I was right there with May and could feel her frustration. Felt her frustration too in her marriage when it seemed everything she did only aggravated her husband and instigated his abuse. Like many women in abusive situations, May feels she must be at fault and make excuses for his behaviour. The two periods and their stories weave together to set up a very bleak picture. There are moments of humour but for me they weren’t enough. They two periods of May’s life taken together, only succeeded in making me feel thoroughly depressed by reading this book. This is a testament to how well written it is, and the way it conveys the feeling of being trapped by circumstances. It left me feeling that way too. Plus I had an idea I knew where it was heading in the plot.
About half way through, I put the book aside and picked up another book. Then another. And another. The reality is I never felt like going back to it. So, while I admired the skill with which it was written, I simply couldn’t bear to pick it back up and finish it. That's why I have chopsen not to rate it. There will be people who will love it. But it wasn’t for me. I don’t like feeling depressed by a book.
To begin with I was right there with May and could feel her frustration. Felt her frustration too in her marriage when it seemed everything she did only aggravated her husband and instigated his abuse. Like many women in abusive situations, May feels she must be at fault and make excuses for his behaviour. The two periods and their stories weave together to set up a very bleak picture. There are moments of humour but for me they weren’t enough. They two periods of May’s life taken together, only succeeded in making me feel thoroughly depressed by reading this book. This is a testament to how well written it is, and the way it conveys the feeling of being trapped by circumstances. It left me feeling that way too. Plus I had an idea I knew where it was heading in the plot.
About half way through, I put the book aside and picked up another book. Then another. And another. The reality is I never felt like going back to it. So, while I admired the skill with which it was written, I simply couldn’t bear to pick it back up and finish it. That's why I have chopsen not to rate it. There will be people who will love it. But it wasn’t for me. I don’t like feeling depressed by a book.
November 16, 2020
May has had a stroke and lost her ability to speak but she's still as sharp as ever. She now lives in a care home. She discovers someone very familiar, from long ago, is living in the room opposite from hers. May is haunted by scenes from an earlier life and she's determined to keep everyone from this new threat. But how can she warn them without a voice?
This is a beautifully written story. It's a gripping psychology drama and I was pulled in from the start. There's some unexpected wit as the tension builds throughout the book. The story alternates between May's time in the nursing home and her earlier life. This is a cleverly crafted story from a debut author. I loved it.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #RosalindStopps for my ARC in exchange for an honest review .
This is a beautifully written story. It's a gripping psychology drama and I was pulled in from the start. There's some unexpected wit as the tension builds throughout the book. The story alternates between May's time in the nursing home and her earlier life. This is a cleverly crafted story from a debut author. I loved it.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #RosalindStopps for my ARC in exchange for an honest review .
May 26, 2022
This book follows two timelines: present day of May in a nursing home and the past of May’s marriage with her abusive husband, Alain, the birth of her daughter, Jenny and her friendship with fellow mother, Helen.
In the present day May is in a nursing home and not able to speak, and can only communicate via the occasional written word.
This book follows both timelines and ultimately has a weird/cryptic and ultimately unsatisfying end that leaves way too much up to interpretation.
Also, this book has a lot of derogatory and self-hating comments in regards to the MC’s body being fat and therefore not desirable. This really rubbed me the wrong way (fat doesn’t mean undesirable), as it did not add to the story and was mentioned over and over again.
2 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
In the present day May is in a nursing home and not able to speak, and can only communicate via the occasional written word.
This book follows both timelines and ultimately has a weird/cryptic and ultimately unsatisfying end that leaves way too much up to interpretation.
Also, this book has a lot of derogatory and self-hating comments in regards to the MC’s body being fat and therefore not desirable. This really rubbed me the wrong way (fat doesn’t mean undesirable), as it did not add to the story and was mentioned over and over again.
2 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 6, 2022
I recently went on this long rant about how much I love dual time zones when narrated properly within a book. The Stranger She Knew, has dual time lines down to a science and this book right here will have people talking for a long time.
Here is my only gripe....
I would not classify The Stranger She Knew as a thriller. I still thoroughly enjoyed this book but I feel as though when something is labeled "a thriller" I am kept in anticipation as to some big twist that will come and when it doesn't, I fell as though I become slightly disappointed. A genre needs to be accurate just so the reader knows what is to be anticipated. Again, this did not ruin the book at all and I enjoyed it very much.
Rosalind Stopps, is a true storyteller and I have become a huge fan. My attention was captivated early on and the ending left me completely satisfied. The Stranger She Knew, is a book I will definitely be recommending and I can not wait to see what this author comes out with next.
Here is my only gripe....
I would not classify The Stranger She Knew as a thriller. I still thoroughly enjoyed this book but I feel as though when something is labeled "a thriller" I am kept in anticipation as to some big twist that will come and when it doesn't, I fell as though I become slightly disappointed. A genre needs to be accurate just so the reader knows what is to be anticipated. Again, this did not ruin the book at all and I enjoyed it very much.
Rosalind Stopps, is a true storyteller and I have become a huge fan. My attention was captivated early on and the ending left me completely satisfied. The Stranger She Knew, is a book I will definitely be recommending and I can not wait to see what this author comes out with next.
August 13, 2021
The title I read was The Stranger She Knew.
May hasn't been able to speak since she had her stroke. Now in a care home, a face from her past she never wanted to see again has returned and she needs to tell people the danger - but how can she do it without her words?
This was a really twisty, surprising book. I didn't see the ending coming and I'm still thinking about it now, even though I've finished the book for a while, which is a good thing in a way. It's definitely a book that will stay in my head for a while!
May hasn't been able to speak since she had her stroke. Now in a care home, a face from her past she never wanted to see again has returned and she needs to tell people the danger - but how can she do it without her words?
This was a really twisty, surprising book. I didn't see the ending coming and I'm still thinking about it now, even though I've finished the book for a while, which is a good thing in a way. It's definitely a book that will stay in my head for a while!
Read
February 11, 2023Ok! I’m going to stop now because I see no point to torture myself this way. I feel sorry for every women/men or child that had to go through anything like this. But sometimes you have to think… you hurt me once shame on you, you do it twice, SHAME ON ME!
I’m sorry, but as much as we can’t control what other people do to us, we can definitely control how we react!
Be strong!
I’m sorry, but as much as we can’t control what other people do to us, we can definitely control how we react!
Be strong!
March 10, 2022
2.5 stars rounded up
It took me a while to get into this book and I felt that it was extremely slow moving without actually having much plot. I found the main character, May, to be annoying both in the past and present timelines; however, the past storyline definitely kept me engaged and wanting to know what happened. The twist in the final chapter was good, but overall the plot itself was kind of lacking and left me almost wondering what the point of it all was. We were very much stuck in those two timelines, but didn’t get any backstory between those two times so it all felt sort of stilted and flat.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy
It took me a while to get into this book and I felt that it was extremely slow moving without actually having much plot. I found the main character, May, to be annoying both in the past and present timelines; however, the past storyline definitely kept me engaged and wanting to know what happened. The twist in the final chapter was good, but overall the plot itself was kind of lacking and left me almost wondering what the point of it all was. We were very much stuck in those two timelines, but didn’t get any backstory between those two times so it all felt sort of stilted and flat.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy
August 4, 2022
This started out strong. I loved the feisty main character. But the backstory got monotonous, with all the different small cruelties the husband dished out. The ending was so abrupt, it left me wondering what the book really was all about.
March 16, 2021
It was good but a disappointing ending
April 1, 2021
I was really enjoying it, couldn't put it down and then the ending was just like is that it?
What!?
Would read this author again though
What!?
Would read this author again though
June 3, 2022
As a young woman, May found that sometimes it was easier to say nothing and cope with what life threw at her in silence. Now, decades later, May has suffered a stroke and has lost her ability to speak. She is still as sharp as ever, but only her daughter and a new friend from the care home, see this. We go between the past and the present. It's a seriously wild ride with tons of crazy details and twists.
May discovers that someone very familiar, from long ago, is living in the room opposite hers. She is haunted by scenes from her earlier life. May is determined to protect everyone from this new threat, but she has to figured out how can she warn them without her voice.
This one was tough for me. I didn't love the back and forth timelines in this one. They were very vague at times. I get that it was to keep us in the dark but it just made it slow. I wouldn't quite classify this as thriller. I wasn't om the edge of my seat at all. I honestly am not sure what genre, maybe general fiction. I am not satisfied with the ending. This one just wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Harper 360 for the gifted copy! ❤️
May discovers that someone very familiar, from long ago, is living in the room opposite hers. She is haunted by scenes from her earlier life. May is determined to protect everyone from this new threat, but she has to figured out how can she warn them without her voice.
This one was tough for me. I didn't love the back and forth timelines in this one. They were very vague at times. I get that it was to keep us in the dark but it just made it slow. I wouldn't quite classify this as thriller. I wasn't om the edge of my seat at all. I honestly am not sure what genre, maybe general fiction. I am not satisfied with the ending. This one just wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Harper 360 for the gifted copy! ❤️
July 16, 2019
Alternating between past and present, this story is about an elderly woman who is unable to communicate following an accident and seek help from the dangers that might be following her from her past.
Utterly gripping and filled with wit, melancholy, and a deep look at domestic abuse, had me hooked and gasping for air. The domestic abuse is described in such a real and chilling way, it had me shaking in empathy and anger.
The ending is sooo good and utterly gratifying, I cannot describe in words just how much I enjoyed it. Loved the way the stories of both past and present came to an end.
I'll be on the lookout for other books by this author.
Utterly gripping and filled with wit, melancholy, and a deep look at domestic abuse, had me hooked and gasping for air. The domestic abuse is described in such a real and chilling way, it had me shaking in empathy and anger.
The ending is sooo good and utterly gratifying, I cannot describe in words just how much I enjoyed it. Loved the way the stories of both past and present came to an end.
I'll be on the lookout for other books by this author.
May 4, 2019
Hello, my name is May is a suspenseful, engaging novel with a surprising twist at the very end. I was totally absorbed into the story and couldn’t put it down. The order of events and the narration are very cleverly structured, and Stopps presents her characters in a very real, relatable fashion. The book’s themes and motives (violence, murder, abuse, etc.) are very serious and quite dark, but the book is also funny at times and it breathes so much positivity during the heartwarming moments when Stopps spotlights the humane and caring nature of people.
May, the main character, is of old age, suffers from spasms and can’t speak due to a brain injury, which is why she lives in a nursing home in the UK. She is an unreliable narrator because she has difficulty remembering things. When a new resident arrives at the nursing home one day, May can’t remember nor pinpoint what it is about this man called Bill, but she’s afraid of him. The things he does to her when nobody sees them together certainly appear scary and manipulative, but the author plays with reality by using the unreliability of a first-person perspective of a battered woman who’s of old age and suffers from memory loss. Therefore, one can never be certain everything is portrayed in an objective manner.
Through a second plot line consisting of flashbacks to May’s life as a younger woman in Hull and London, the reader can slowly piece together the mystery surrounding the man called Bill and why May feels the way about him the way she does. The book alternates chapters on May’s life in the nursing home and May’s life as a young lover, wife and mother. The storyline on May’s life in the nursing home ends with a cliffhanger and the book’s final end contains a flashback to a critical point of May’s life in London, which reveals a big surprise. It completely threw me off guard! When I finished the book I felt confused for a minute, but then I started to grasp how deeply ingrained May’s mental issues were for the storyline in the nursing home to end like it did.
Even though I’m left with a few questions after finishing Hello, my name is May, I think the story is absolutely brilliant, not only for the magnificent built-up of suspense and clever structure, but also because of Stopps’s wonderful characterization. Being the battered woman she is, May is just so kind, unselfish and warm but also witty and – ironically I suppose … - feisty at the same time! I enjoyed reading about her relationships with her daugher, Jenny, and her friends Helen, Jackie and Trevor. I emphatized with May’s frustrations and sorrow about not being able to talk nor move properly, and I felt so much pity when reading about May’s younger years and atrocious husband. When characters tear on your heartstrings and creep into your heart like that, you know that it’s a good book! Would certainly recommend!
May, the main character, is of old age, suffers from spasms and can’t speak due to a brain injury, which is why she lives in a nursing home in the UK. She is an unreliable narrator because she has difficulty remembering things. When a new resident arrives at the nursing home one day, May can’t remember nor pinpoint what it is about this man called Bill, but she’s afraid of him. The things he does to her when nobody sees them together certainly appear scary and manipulative, but the author plays with reality by using the unreliability of a first-person perspective of a battered woman who’s of old age and suffers from memory loss. Therefore, one can never be certain everything is portrayed in an objective manner.
Through a second plot line consisting of flashbacks to May’s life as a younger woman in Hull and London, the reader can slowly piece together the mystery surrounding the man called Bill and why May feels the way about him the way she does. The book alternates chapters on May’s life in the nursing home and May’s life as a young lover, wife and mother. The storyline on May’s life in the nursing home ends with a cliffhanger and the book’s final end contains a flashback to a critical point of May’s life in London, which reveals a big surprise. It completely threw me off guard! When I finished the book I felt confused for a minute, but then I started to grasp how deeply ingrained May’s mental issues were for the storyline in the nursing home to end like it did.
Even though I’m left with a few questions after finishing Hello, my name is May, I think the story is absolutely brilliant, not only for the magnificent built-up of suspense and clever structure, but also because of Stopps’s wonderful characterization. Being the battered woman she is, May is just so kind, unselfish and warm but also witty and – ironically I suppose … - feisty at the same time! I enjoyed reading about her relationships with her daugher, Jenny, and her friends Helen, Jackie and Trevor. I emphatized with May’s frustrations and sorrow about not being able to talk nor move properly, and I felt so much pity when reading about May’s younger years and atrocious husband. When characters tear on your heartstrings and creep into your heart like that, you know that it’s a good book! Would certainly recommend!
May 25, 2019
Absolutely brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
You can quite easily read this book on one sitting but I decided to save a chunk towards the end and savour it the following morning.
Present day old lady has a stroke and she’s in a care home, unable to communicate. She spots a man who is a resident and she is sure she knows him from her past, and not in a good way. Backwards and forwards the book goes, 1977 to present back again so it’s quite like two stories in one.
It’s dark, sinister and has some great twists in it.
It’s a bit like Three Things About Elsie but with a more threatening and macabre undertone.
You can quite easily read this book on one sitting but I decided to save a chunk towards the end and savour it the following morning.
Present day old lady has a stroke and she’s in a care home, unable to communicate. She spots a man who is a resident and she is sure she knows him from her past, and not in a good way. Backwards and forwards the book goes, 1977 to present back again so it’s quite like two stories in one.
It’s dark, sinister and has some great twists in it.
It’s a bit like Three Things About Elsie but with a more threatening and macabre undertone.
August 14, 2019
I was absolutely enjoying this book. Very poignant look at how a stroke victim really must feel inside when they can't communicate outward. The frustration of being trapped inside your body that continues to let you down. I also liked how the story was built by going back between the past and present, one piece of the puzzle at a time. The last 2 pages of the book was an absolute let down after a really good job of building up the suspense. I was left scratching my head, completely confused. Was Bill really Alain or was she just imagining the whole thing? I don't get it. What a disappointing end to a great story.
March 5, 2022
I was taken aback at first. This book has a style all its own. In fact, it's written like nothing else I've ever read, so it took a bit of getting used to. But it wasn't long before I was totally sucked in. May, the main character, is in a care facility after having a stroke that left her mostly paralyzed and unable to talk. It's unique to get her point of view. Then the story switches to her past, years ago while she was pregnant with her daughter who is now in her forties. Her story, in both timelines, tumbles slowly but surely into darkness and mystery. The ending was a shock.
May 26, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Stranger She Knew by Rosalind Stopps. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this ARC.
Wow. The Stranger She Knew was a wild ride of a read. I won't go into much detail because I want to not spoil the twists for those reading it. I will say that even while I guessed a few of the twists, the way they unfolded was very satisfying. The whole book kept me in suspense until the very end. I give this book 4/5 stars.
Wow. The Stranger She Knew was a wild ride of a read. I won't go into much detail because I want to not spoil the twists for those reading it. I will say that even while I guessed a few of the twists, the way they unfolded was very satisfying. The whole book kept me in suspense until the very end. I give this book 4/5 stars.
March 25, 2021
A gripping read that makes you want to keep turning the pages
June 26, 2022
Can someone please explain this book to me because I absolutely did not get it, and I feel like I missed something??
July 8, 2022
Listened to the audio book. Quite enjoyed the suspense and listening to the past and present. Good premise. Didn't enjoy the ending left it too open.
August 30, 2022
Took me four months to read, found every slow and could have been a better ending
February 12, 2025
Struggled with this one. Interesting concept and two timelines, but the ending was quite open and a lot left unanswered but not in a way that keeps you thinking afterward. It was quite bleak and a lot of negative talk, abuse and felt sad.
September 10, 2020
exceptionally good first novel - highly recommend it
August 6, 2023
Started off well enough but I quickly lost interest.This was incredibly slow. I wouldn't exactly call it a thriller. And the ending, as other reviews have also said, just left me confused.
December 24, 2022
Thrilling
March 19, 2020
Suspenseful and engaging, alternating between past and present, this poignant story covers many issues including the important topic of domestic violence.
Brilliant read.
Brilliant read.
March 23, 2019
This book is a masterpiece of tension.
May, an elderly woman, has a stroke. She is non verbal and unable to talk. However, inside, she is as sane and active as the rest of us.
This really hit me hard - the way May was written really relayed the frustration and anger that someone who is trapped by their betraying body must feel. She can barely communicate, and her carers believe she is crotcehty and a pain when in fact she's just trying to point, or ask a question, etc. It's heartbreaking, but also creates a masterful sense of tension, as May comes to believe one of her fellow neighbours in the care home is not who they say they are - that they are dangerous.
Of course, she can't tell anyone that.
This is interspersed with snippets from May's younger life, where we explore her relationships and see the fuller picture of what makes May herself.
It's incredibly engaging, and for me, someone who reads a lot of books (and can normally tell what's going to happen in the first few chapters), was extra fun to read as I didn't know where it was going.
Lastly, it's an expert exploration of ageing, and mental health, and what happens to our faculties as we get older. I found myself asking - is May right? Is she confused? Has the stroke affected her memories? What *really* happened? We have to assume May is an unreliable narrator, and I'm still wondering now what exactly happened, as the book doesn't give an explicit ending, it allows you to make up your own mind. (normally I hate this, but on this occasion, in context, it seems perfect)
Highly recommended.
May, an elderly woman, has a stroke. She is non verbal and unable to talk. However, inside, she is as sane and active as the rest of us.
This really hit me hard - the way May was written really relayed the frustration and anger that someone who is trapped by their betraying body must feel. She can barely communicate, and her carers believe she is crotcehty and a pain when in fact she's just trying to point, or ask a question, etc. It's heartbreaking, but also creates a masterful sense of tension, as May comes to believe one of her fellow neighbours in the care home is not who they say they are - that they are dangerous.
Of course, she can't tell anyone that.
This is interspersed with snippets from May's younger life, where we explore her relationships and see the fuller picture of what makes May herself.
It's incredibly engaging, and for me, someone who reads a lot of books (and can normally tell what's going to happen in the first few chapters), was extra fun to read as I didn't know where it was going.
Lastly, it's an expert exploration of ageing, and mental health, and what happens to our faculties as we get older. I found myself asking - is May right? Is she confused? Has the stroke affected her memories? What *really* happened? We have to assume May is an unreliable narrator, and I'm still wondering now what exactly happened, as the book doesn't give an explicit ending, it allows you to make up your own mind. (normally I hate this, but on this occasion, in context, it seems perfect)
Highly recommended.
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