A moving and intriguing thought experiment about loneliness and human connections. Blaney has a real talent for capturing the texture of everyday life.

NO MAJOR SPOILERS

It seems that every time one of our favourite publishers message me to say they have a book they think I will love it’s always a brilliantly dark little novella, and the Anchoress fits the bill perfectly!

When I received this through the post last week I had no idea what it was about but the blurb looked interesting so I got stuck right in.

Maggie has locked herself in the walk in closet. It’s warm, dark and cosy and she has no intention of coming out again. Left to her own devices she has time to think but not too much time as there are constant visitors along the way. Some are welcome, some not so much. Who knew one woman in a cupboard could cause quite so much fuss?

Within a few chapters I had an idea where the book was going, but wherever I thought it was going to end up, that wasn’t where it took me. All is not as it seems and this poignant, moving tale is tightly woven and expertly told in a funny, moving tale that catches you right in the throat.

Maggie could be any of us really, a damsel who doesn’t even know she’s in distress. As Maggie learned, some things stay with us always, and this little novella will stay with me for a while yet.

The whole book is only about 160 pages, you could probably make this a one day holiday read and thoroughly enjoy it.

 

Reviewed by:

Kath Cross

Added 23rd July 2015

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Kath Cross