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4 out of 4 stars
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Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD refers to a mental condition that is unknown to many. A person with NPD exhibits an extreme sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy, and a relentless need for attention. Charlie’s Secret, a novel by Melody Law, is a book that explores the plight of a woman in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship with a narcissist.
Charlie is grieving over the loss of her first husband when she meets Mark. Captivated by his charms and persistence, Charlie eventually marries this man. For a while, their marriage is nothing short of perfect, but as time goes on, Charlie starts seeing Mark’s manipulative and gaslighting tendencies. As Charlie finds the necessary courage to exit this relationship, she embarks on a rough journey towards emotional healing.
I liked how the author gave Charlie’s character so many layers. Charlie’s tragic narrative is neither her defining characteristic nor the only thing that her life revolves around. While the story talked about her abusive marriage, it also delved into those healthy relationships she fostered with other people. Additionally, I like the exploration of many relevant themes in the story. It delves into some of the complicated reasons why victims of abuse often find it difficult to expose their abusers. It also portrays instances when a victim defends and rationalizes abusive behaviors. Further, the narrative displays the significance of a support system during an emotional upheaval. Charlie has friends who are willing to take her in whenever things are tough at home. Their trips all over the country bring out Charlie’s quirks and her overall fun personality.
It’s important to note that I had the privilege to review the updated version of this book. The author rectified the editorial errors and stretched several scenes by adding more dialogues. These scenes further developed the story and the characters, and I was satisfied with the overall outcome. In the previous version, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the protagonist’s tendency to give a straightforward, in-depth analysis in almost every situation. I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the book because I felt like the protagonist was feeding me explanations rather than allowing me to formulate mine. I’m glad that the author did the necessary modification concerning this issue, so it no longer appeared distracting.
The above reasons made me rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I appreciated Charlie’s characterization and the relevant themes. The narrative improved, and I can finally vouch for this book’s excellent editing quality. I do not have anything to dislike. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to dive into a story that explores the complex dynamics of an abusive relationship. It’s also important to note that this book contains scenes that explicitly depict domestic violence. I advise those who are sensitive to such content to proceed with caution.
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Charlie's Secret
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