Audiobook10 hours
Meredith, Alone
Written by Claire Alexander
Narrated by Freya Mavor
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
()
About this audiobook
You’ll be laughing and crying as “the brilliant author of this brilliant book” introduces Meredith, who, after spending three years inside her house, figures out how to rejoin the world one step at a time (Gillian McAllister, author of the Reese’s Book Club pick Wrong Place Wrong Time).
She has a full-time remote job and her rescue cat Fred. Her best friend Sadie visits with her two children. There's her online support group, her jigsaw puzzles and favorite recipes, her beloved Emily Dickinson poems. Also keeping her company are treacherous memories of an unstable childhood and a traumatic event that had sent her reeling.
But something's about to change. First, two new friends burst into her life. Then her long-estranged sister gets in touch. Suddenly her carefully curated home is no longer a space to hide. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door...
She has a full-time remote job and her rescue cat Fred. Her best friend Sadie visits with her two children. There's her online support group, her jigsaw puzzles and favorite recipes, her beloved Emily Dickinson poems. Also keeping her company are treacherous memories of an unstable childhood and a traumatic event that had sent her reeling.
But something's about to change. First, two new friends burst into her life. Then her long-estranged sister gets in touch. Suddenly her carefully curated home is no longer a space to hide. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door...
Author
Claire Alexander
Claire Alexander has written and illustrated Lucy and the Bully, Small Florence, and Lost in the Snow (all Gullane). She lives in England. Visit Claire's website at www.clairealexander.co.uk.
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Reviews for Meredith, Alone
Rating: 3.9893617531914893 out of 5 stars
4/5
47 ratings9 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Meredith hasn't left her house in over three years. She has her cat Fred, her jigsaw puzzles, a writing job that she can do from home, and the ability to order anything she needs on the Internet. She has a childhood friend who visits her regularly, and she's recently added a couple of new friends: Tom, who works with an organization that visits shut-ins, and Celeste, an online friend who makes the jump to in-person. Meredith would like to leave her house, but the very idea sends her into a panic attack. Working with a counselor, she explores the trauma that brought her to her present state, and slowly works her way toward freedom.
This wasn't really the right book for me, but it could be the right book for you. I find that reading about characters with anxiety and depression can trigger my own anxiety and depression. The book jumps back and forth from Meredith's present isolation to past events involving an abusive mother and a traumatic event that led to her shutting herself away. While the book does end on a happy note, for me, getting to that point was a struggle. However, if the premise intrigues you and you enjoy reading about people overcoming personal trauma, the writing is good and the characters engaging. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Happy Publication Day(U.S.)! ( November 1, 2022)
4.5⭐
As the story begins we meet our protagonist Meredith Maggs, a resident of Glasgow, who has not ventured outside her home in over 1214 days. Though somewhat a recluse, she does keep busy. She shops online and is employed full-time in a writing job that allows her to work remotely. She socially interacts with an online support group and communicates virtually with her counselor. Pushing 40, she lives with her cat Fred as a constant companion and fills her free time with books, jigsaw puzzles and baking. She has a fixed set of people with whom she interacts in person - her best friend Sadie and her two children and her grocery delivery boy. Added to this mix are the recent additions of Tom McDermott, a “friend” from the Holding Hands Charity organization, Celeste, one of her online friends, who reaches out to her personally and her 10-year-old neighbor Jacob Alistair Montgomery who knocks on her door and introduces himself. She does have immediate family close by but it’s complicated. It’s not that Meredith does not want to leave the house but her efforts to step outside her safe haven seem to exacerbate her anxiety and cause panic attacks – the reasons for which are gradually disclosed. As the narrative progresses and we jump back and forth between past and present, we learn more about Meredith and the traumatic events that led to her self-imposed isolation. We follow Meredith’s journey as she struggles with anxiety and depression, willing herself to resume control of her life.
Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander is a beautiful story full of hope and heart. Each of the characters in this novel is well-fleshed out ( even the unlikeable ones). There are dark moments in Meredith's life and her road to recovery is not an easy one – she stumbles and falls but we cheer for her as she does not stop trying to bring about positive change in her life. Everyone in her support system genuinely cares for her and what I liked about each of these characters is that none of them are pushy or overbearing and though they want her to venture out of her home, they give her the space and the time she needs to open herself up to everything life has to offer. The author covers several sensitive topics such as mental health, sexual assault and domestic violence, dysfunctional families and the far-reaching effects of parental neglect on a child’s sense of self-worth with the utmost compassion. The pacing of the novel is on the slower side which suits the central theme and natural progression of the story. I liked the fact that the author did not rush to an impractical, eye-roll-inducing, OTT ending but rather ended the story on a hopeful note – keeping it real and relatable. Meredith is an endearing protagonist. Though her story has its difficult moments it is ultimately one of courage and hope.
Many thanks to Claire Alexander, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for a digital review copy of this wonderful novel. All expressions expressed in this review are my own. This book is scheduled to be released on November 1, 2022. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What do we need to have full lives? Do we need other people? Can we find contentment in isolation? Meredith Maggs, the main character in Claire Alexander's debut novel, Meredith, Alone, isn't too sure of the answers to these questions as she tries to figure out how to live her life, to expand it, and to take care of herself at the same time.
Meredith hasn't left her house in over three years. This is not a COVID story. It takes place in 2018-2019. Meredith used to leave her house but now she cannot bring herself to go outside. She lives alone with only her rescue cat Fred for company. The only people she sees in person are her best friend and her friend's children when they come to visit her every week and the grocery delivery boy. All of her other interactions are online: her therapist and a chat support group. Even her work is remote, allowing her to cocoon herself away and not confront the trauma that keeps her prisoner in her home. But she wants to try to take baby steps back into the world, to make connections, as evidenced by Meredith allowing Tom, a volunteer with Helping Hands, to come into her house, work on her jigsaw puzzles with her, and get her to open up the tiniest bit. It is also evidenced by her growing online friendship with Celeste, a woman she meets through her chat support group and to whom she herself is a great support. Meredith alone can find the courage to brave the outside world but Meredith is not alone in any sense of the word as she faces her past and her fears.
Chapters are headed with a tally of the number of days Meredith has stayed in her home in the present or with a year from the past. The present moves linearly but flashes from varying times in the past are inserted in between the present chapters, slowly revealing what has made Meredith panic at the thought of the outside world. The pacing of the whole book is deliberately slow, mirroring Meredith's stuttering progress, panicked setbacks, and determined resets. Meredith as a character is endearing and the more the reader learns about her, the more her kind heart shines through. Alexander does not minimize mental health issues here, nor does she make them disappear unrealistically. Instead she has created a heartwarming, hopeful story about the people who have your back no matter what, who push you just enough to be helpful and supportive. As Meredith faces her demons, readers will cheer for her healing.
Content warnings for sexual assault and child abuse. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent book. Multiple mental health issue. Excellent characters. Good ending without being happy-happy
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was interesting and well-written, but I didn't like the structure and found it over all a really uncomfortable read which made me not want to pick it back up.
Meredith is a 39-year-old woman who lives in a home she owns. She works as a free writer, so she gets to set her own hours and works from home. She's severly agoraphobic and hasn't left her house in over three years. She suffers from trauma caused by relentless abuse at the hands of her mother through her life, as well as the trauma of being raped.
The story jumps around in past and present. The present chapters move forward in a linear fashion, and the past chapters jump around through out Meredith's life from childhood onward. And that's one of my least favorite narrative structures. I don't mind stories that move in time, either jumping forward over long periods of time, or alternating between two timelines, but I really do not like non-linear stories like this, for one reason or other.
The writing style itself is very simple and easy to read, which is a good thing, but as a reading experiece this wasn't to my liking. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Meredith, Alone is Claire Alexander's debut novel.
In the opening pages, we meet Meredith - who has not left her home in over 1214 days. Now initially, I thought oh, Covid. But no, the book was written prior to that.
She has a remote job, wonderful friends who understand, an online support group, hobbies such as jigsaw puzzles and baking and a cat named Fred. There is a reason that Meredith has not left. But it's not revealed until we've come to know her better. A then and now narrative allows the listener to see behind the barriers she's erected to stay 'safe'. And the barriers are under siege as the 'then' is knocking on her door, threatening her sanctuary.
Meredith is a wonderfully likeable protagonist. Despite her own issues she's kind, thoughtful and engaging. She has a wonderful circle of support that is just as likable. On the flip side is her family. Especially her mother. Oh, I had a hard time with her. She's deliberately cruel, manipulative and abusive. As the past continues to reveal itself, the trauma Meredith has weathered is so saddening. (There's other trauma besides her mum, but I don't want to supply spoilers, so I'll let you discover those on your own.
Now, that being said, I don't want you to think the narrative is all negative. It's quite the opposite actually. Meredith's journey will have you reaching out for the tissue box, urging her on. And it's not just Meredith - the supporting players all have their own issues. And that's the thing - everybody has 'something'.
Alexander has done a wonderful job of bringing difficult scenarios to life in a realistic, believable manner. Gentle readers, there are a number of triggers in this book.
I chose to listen to Meredith, Alone. The reader was Freya Mavor and she was a wonderful choice. Her voice fit the mental image I had for Meredith. Her diction is clear and easy on the ears. She enunciates well and the speed is just right. She has perfectly caught the emotions, actions and situations of the book, bringing the characters to life. This is one of those books that is better having listened and become immersed in the book. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's been almost 3 years since Meredith has ventured outside of her home, but she still feels like she has a good life. She has a wonderful job, a best friend who visits regularly, a crazy pet cat, and everything she needs is delivered right to her door. However, her friend thinks she needs more interaction from the world around her beyond her own visits and Meredith's Zoom sessions with her therapist.
Meredith takes a small step in moving toward healing by allowing a new visitor. While she doesn't want to, she finds herself opening up to Tom and feeling a desire to get back out into the world. Meanwhile, she is also dealing with her estranged sister and working through the traumatic event that left her unable to leave her house. With time and healing, will Meredith be able to find the person she wants to become?
This was not quite what I had expected going into the book, and yet it also worked out to be what I thought it would be. The two timelines that are presented throughout the story help the reader come to know what Meredith has experienced much better than if it had been presented as one timeline. She is a character who is easy to relate to and see just how easy it is to find oneself in a mental health spiral, working to cope with the trauma of abuse and neglect.
S-M, L-H, V-M - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In this poignant character driven novel, author Claire Alexander introduces us to Meredith Maggs. Meredith is 39 years old, a freelance writer who lives in Glasgow, and hasn’t stepped over her threshold for 1,214 days.
It’s not that Meredith chose to not leave, one day she simply couldn’t.
As the narrative progresses in the present, we learn Meredith hasn’t stopped living exactly. She has her work, her routines, and anything she needs can be delivered to her door. She may be alone, but Meredith claims she isn’t lonely, she has her beloved cat, Fred, to keep her company, her best friend, Sadie, often stops by with her two small children, and her friendship circle is slowly expanding. Holding Hands volunteer, Tom, insists on regular visits, and through her online support group, Meredith bonds with newbie Celeste.
But there are things Meredith misses. Like swimming, hugs, and her sister, Fee.
Flashbacks provide glimpses of Meredith’s past including her difficult childhood, illuminating her relationship with her mother and sister, whom she hasn’t seen for years, and the accumulation of the heartbreaking circumstances that led to Meredith’s agoraphobia.
Beautifully told, written with warmth, compassion and a touch of humour, this is a tender story about trauma, survival, friendship and ultimately, about hope. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Meredith hasn't left her house for 1,214 days. She is alone although she has her cat and her best friend who visits her as often as she can. She's cut herself off from the outside world. The story is perfectly formed and it's only as we bear witness to Meredith's isolation that we are drip-fed the reasons why she's unable to venture beyond her front door. Two new friends, Tom and Celeste, come into Meredith's life and it seems like for the first time in a long time she might have a reason to take a step further, but it's not going to be easy.
I found this book absolutely heartbreaking in places and felt so sorry for what Meredith had to deal with. Being written in the first person, both in the current day and in her memories, made it a very powerful read. She's wonderful, brave and kind, and she's an unforgettable character for me. I loved her for her inner strength, her care for others, her baking and her jigsaw abilities.
This is a book I wanted to pick up and read at every opportunity. You might think a book about a woman not leaving her house would struggle to engage a reader but that is most definitely not the case. Although it's sad at times, it's still uplifting and inspirational. Claire Alexander gets the tone exactly right, always providing lightness to counteract the darkness, whilst staying sensitive to the difficult topics that are covered.
At every stage I was engrossed in the beautiful writing and rooting for Meredith in this relatable and tender character driven story. I can't believe this is a debut novel. This has the hallmarks of an author who has spent years honing their writing skills. Meredith, Alone easily makes it into my favourite books of the year. It's a very special novel indeed, with fabulous characters, a warm-hearted feeling and a story that blew me away.