title: My Phantoms by: Riley, Gwendoline published: 2021-04-01 read: 2021-10 preview

I did a quick one, with “My Phantoms“  by Gwendoline Riley.  Her 7th novel, published 2021, after winning or being nominated for a number of prizes, albeit not the big ones.  I know none of her other works.

“My Phantoms” seems autobiographic, but probably isn’t.  Bridget, the main character, has a difficult relationship with her divorced parents.  Her father, whom she loathed, died many years ago; her mother, whom she loathes, dies towards the end of the book.  Loathed?  Perhaps indifference is more correct.  Yes, her parents are weird, but then who isn’t?  Nothing totally out-of-the-normal, I’d say.  But Bridget’s extremely cold, keeping-distance relationship with her parents (her mother, most of the book) is alienating.  Or with her sister, for that matter; distant.  Who’s at “fault” here?

We are never relieved of the facts; of what happened in Bridget’s childhood. If anything did at all.  There is some reference to something, but it dies with the mother.  Was she abused? Did a child die? One can only guess.

A book like real life.  Gripping.  But also, quick.  I liked it more than I expected, and I forgot it as quickly as projected.