OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Distorted Days" by Louise Worthington.]

Distorted Days is a fiction book by Louise Worthington. It centres around the unexpected blows that life can send our way and finding the strength, courage, and support to keep going.

John walks out on Doris and their marriage without warning and offers no explanation. What is worse is that he leaves her for Lisa, Doris' best friend. The betrayal shatters Doris and leads to her miscarriage. She shrinks within herself, within the walls of her marital home, and escapes within the pages of her beloved fictional books. She dares not step out into the world. The solace she finds within her home is put to an abrupt stop when John sends an estate agent to sell the house, which belongs solely to him due to a prenuptial agreement. She must gather the courage to pick up the pieces of her life and move forward.

What I loved most about Distorted Days is its multifaceted characters. The characters are very human, flawed, and in some moments experience irrational thoughts and emotions. For instance, Doris experiences recurring daydreams about revenge. This desire for revenge seems out of character for selfless Doris. And yet, considering the circumstances, it fits perfectly and creates a more credible, realistic Doris. The author uses poetic language to present these recurring daydreams, altering minute details each time according to Doris' state of mind and emotional progress. The way the recurring daydreams were integrated into the story was effortless and natural. I feel that the author has taken the same amount of care and effort with the other characters, giving them a rich depth.

The divorce pushes Doris into a deep depression. I really appreciate how the author approached the issue of depression. Doris' doctor tells her that events themselves are not the cause of mental ill-health. Rather, the way we interpret those events makes the difference. And that is something I plan on remembering and using in my own life going forward.

My only complaint is that I was left with so many unanswered questions after the reason behind John's sudden departure was revealed. I realise though, that in leaving her readers with unanswered questions, the author was able to create a story that felt true-to-life. We don't always understand the reasons behind people's actions and behaviours.

Distorted Days is written in prose, and the author uses poetic devices to grip her readers. It is impeccably edited, and I thoroughly enjoyed its storyline, especially as its ending is far from being clichéd. Despite containing heavy themes like depression, it had moments that made me laugh. Therefore, I see it fit to give it a perfect 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to women who enjoy literary fiction.

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Distorted Days
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Depression is a hard tool to master when writing. It really depends on how you handle and execute it. Nonetheless, It does sound like an interesting book. Thanks for the review!

The plot looks interesting, even the thought of finding strength, courage and love seems enticing. Wonderful review!

Being able to portray depression into a book is a skill in itself.

Kelebogile Mbangi wrote: ↑24 Jan 2020, 05:37 I thoroughly enjoyed its storyline, especially as its ending is far from being clichéd. Despite containing heavy themes like depression, it had moments that made me laugh.

This sounds like a balanced read. That reference to the ending gives me hope that Doris makes it through okay. Thanks for a great review!

I like novels with multifaceted characters too. This looks like a very realistic book. Thanks for the review.

Doris's world is a scary one. I do agree with Doris's doctor that our reality is largely affected by our interpretation of circumstances that happen to us but it's hard not to think a certain way when terrible things have happened to you. It sounds like a fascinating read. Thanks for doing a review on it.

The plot and scope of this book sounds very interesting. It makes me want to read it and find out more!

Thanks for the review!

I love the variation on style you mentioned and it does seem apt for describing a dream much less several. You're also right about the ending being true to life as things aren't always answered.

Thanks for the over view of the book. It sounds very human demonstrating life's ups and downs, as well as real events we can identify with.

Thank you for the review

This sounds like a book I would love to read! You wrote a truly wonderful review that does justice to the book.

I can somewhat relate to the sudden betrayal of someone close and the fallout one must face as a result of their selfish abandonment.

Great review! Distorted Days by Louise Worthington is a ficcional novel about the unexpected things that happen in our life and how to move forward.

This a fiction book, which is about a woman who went through so many hurtful things. This book shows you how she processes it and what happens next. Great review.

It sounds intriguing. The use of poetry makes this book rather exceptional in an attempt to convey the message that it upholds.