FROM THE 2002 Archives

Ali Connery is young, attractive, married to a wonderful husband and appears to have a satisfying job. But her perfect world is falling apart, as she continues to fall into the abyss of pills, marijuana and alcohol addiction. When Ali continues to have nightmares regarding her abusive childhood, her husband suggests that she seek a professional for counseling and therapy.

As Ali roller coasts from a Therapist to a Psychiatrist, the reader quickly realizes that Ali really doesn’t want help as she continues the yo-yo cycle of falling off the wagon so often that it becomes ridiculous and rudely annoying. Actually, Ali possesses both of those traits along with being one-dimensional and self-destructive. Since she was the main character, I kept looking and expecting some redeeming quality but unfortunately none was forthcoming. So…I ended up liking all of the other characters and truly disliking Ali.

Afraid of the Dark has a strong premise but the execution needs improvement. The story was plot-driven but the subject matter really called for more character development. I wanted Ali’s childhood abuse to be explored further and more rationale provided as to why. I wish that Ali showed at least once that she wanted to be helped. I commend Devlin on a gramatically well-structured book; however, I hope that future reads are more compelling, in-depth and that the characters are better developed.

Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

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