The years pass by at a fast and steamy clip in Blume’s latest adult novel (Wifey, not reviewed Smart Women, 1984) as two friends find loyalties and affections tested as they grow into young women. Alexander creates a winning heroine in Meredith and likable characters in her kind friends this type of mental illness is not frequently highlighted or discussed, and while Meredith’s experience predates the pandemic, there are, of course, echoes of sympathy for those who were isolated at home or who continue to be anxious about leaving their homes for this uncertain world.Īn optimistic, feel-good novel that might just soothe some post-Covid angst. When Fiona reaches out with her own crisis, Meredith is finally able to begin healing from the trauma at the root of her agoraphobia. However, they fell out and have barely spoken for years. Meredith knows that in order to truly open herself to these new opportunities, she must reconcile with her sister, Fiona, who was her protector and best friend growing up. Meredith offers her support online, gradually taking the step to invite Celeste into her home. At the same time, via an online chat room, she meets Celeste, who discloses that she has recently been sexually assaulted.

When Tom McDermott, from a 'befriending charity' called Holding Hands, shows up on her doorstep one day, her initial instinct is to ghost him to avoid future meetings to her surprise, he becomes a consistent visitor, a jigsaw partner, an appreciative audience for her baking, and, eventually, a friend. She has created a fairly healthy routine to her days-freelance writing, exercise, baking, doing jigsaw puzzles, having sessions with Diane the counselor-but she rarely interacts with anyone in person other than her best friend, Sadie, and Sadie's kids. 14, 2018, Meredith Maggs hasn’t left her house in 1,214 days. An agoraphobic Glasgow woman works to heal her family-based trauma so she can reconnect with the world and the people she loves.Īs of Nov.

Meredith alone by claire alexander