Title: What She LeftAuthor: Rosie Fiore
Published by: Allen & Unwin on Aug. 17, 2017
Genres: General Fiction, Women's Fiction
Pages: 383
Format: Paperback
Source: Allen & Unwin, Rachel's Random Resources
Book Rating: 8.5/10
Helen Cooper has a charmed life. She’s beautiful, accomplished, organised – the star parent at the school. Until she disappears.
But Helen wasn’t abducted or murdered. She’s chosen to walk away, abandoning her family, husband Sam, and her home.
Where has Helen gone, and why? What has driven her from her seemingly perfect life? What is she looking for? Sam is tormented by these questions, and gradually begins to lose his grip on work and his family life.
He sees Helen everywhere in the faces of strangers. He’s losing control.
But then one day, it really is Helen’s face he sees…
Review:
Absorbing, intense, and immensely sobering!
What She Left is an emotional, character-driven novel that delves into the complex relationship between a husband and wife and highlights the detrimental physical and psychological effects the breakdown of a marriage can have on the whole family unit.
The prose is fluid and well turned. The characters are multifaceted, desperate, determined, and raw. And the plot, using multiple perspectives, is an engaging story about life, loss, love, family, secrets, lies, collusion, selfishness, friendship, and the importance of self-identity.
What She Left is a poignant, clever novel that reminds us that true happiness comes from honesty, trust, and never losing sight of your own desires, needs, wants, and dreams.
This novel is available now.
Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to Rosie Fiore, Allen & Unwin and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Rosie Fiore
Rosie Fiore was born and grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. She studied drama at the University of the Witwatersrand and has worked as a writer for theatre, television, magazines, advertising, comedy and the corporate market.
Her first two novels, This Year’s Black and Lame Angel were published by Struik in South Africa. This Year’s Black was longlisted for the South African Sunday Times Literary Award and has subsequently been re-released as an e-book. Babies in Waiting, Wonder Women and Holly at Christmas were published by Quercus. She is the author of After Isabella, also published by Allen & Unwin.
Rosie’s next book, The After Wife (written as Cass Hunter), will be published by Trapeze in 2018, and in translation is seven countries around the world.
Rosie lives in London with her husband and two sons.
