Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander

An agoraphobic woman counts the days she hasn't stepped outside. It has been more than a thousand days but she doesn't believe that she is alone. She is right.

This is a story about hope, resilience and friendship. The woman has visitors and online contacts, including a counsellor, and lives with her cat who is her greatest source of comfort and therapy. Despite her anxiety about going outside, which includes difficult symptoms, she has made her life quite full with engrossing hobbies and therapeutic décor. However, at some point she has to face up to her family trauma to enable her to move forward.

A well written debut book by this author, told in the first person with wit and good spirits without being depressing at all. There are flashbacks to her childhood and these are clearly laid out, showing a typical relationship with her sister, which are quite charming.  Setting the scene at the opening of the book is a tad slow, but the pace improves as the reader becomes involved in her world and the characters in it, especially the cat.

​A beautiful book and a writer to look out for.

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Published by Penguin Michael Joseph UK on 9 June 2022.
​Advanced review copy supplied by the publisher.