Ophelia, a professor of Dante, is stricken when she discovers that her husband Andy has been cheating on her with a winsome colleague. What follows is Ophelia's figurative descent into hell as she obsessively tracks her subjects, performs surveillance in her beat-up Volvo, and moves into the property next door to Amber' s, which has gone into foreclosure. She spies on the lovers, growing more and more estranged from reality. Andy's betrayal reawakens the earlier trauma of abandonment by her mother at the age of eight. When Andy and Amber become engaged, Ophelia snaps. The story is a jailhouse confessional, a dark comedy, an oeuvre of women's rage, a suspenseful revenge fantasy, and a moving portrait of one woman's psychological breakdown.
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I finally finished reading this book yesterday, and I needed a day to sit with my thoughts. Having read many thrillers this year, I found the structure of this one to be quite different. The story revolves around Ophelia, who discovers that her husband, Andy, has been cheating on her with a coworker named Amber Halloway. Devastated and filled with anger and grief, Ophelia decides to follow the two lovers, carefully watching their every move. Andy's betrayal reawakens the trauma of Ophelia's mother abandoning her when she was only eight years old, causing her to become increasingly detached from reality.
Despite its relatively short length, the book manages to pack a punch. Although there is some repetition in the narration, it's important to remember that the narrator is unreliable. This aspect, while initially jarring, adds depth to the story and makes it an enjoyable read. The narrative shifts back and forth between the past and present, a technique I'm not usually a fan of. However, the author's writing made it work for me, at least most of the time.
As you progress through the book, Ophelia's mental health becomes increasingly precarious, driven by her deteriorating relationship with her husband. Given the turn of events, I found myself disliking Andy intensely. The book delves into themes of obsession, mental breakdown, and betrayal, which could be upsetting for some readers. Proceed with caution if these topics are sensitive for you.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
