Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking follows teenager Tess, who unexpectedly gets the chance to stay in a mansion one summer in the company of her new friend Hazel and Hazel's older brother Henry. As Tess spends time at the grand house, she becomes entangled in the siblings' complex dynamic and finds herself drawn into their mysterious world. The lines between reality and imagination begin to blur as secrets from the past emerge. The novel shifts between Tess's present-day experiences and memories from her childhood, particularly focusing on her relationship with her late mother. These parallel narratives create echoes and patterns that resonate throughout the story. The book explores themes of grief, memory, and the ways trauma can haunt both people and places. Myerson crafts a narrative that questions the reliability of perception and examines how adolescent experiences shape our understanding of truth.

Readers note the book's raw emotional intensity and haunting portrayal of grief and loss. Many point to Myerson's evocative prose and the way she builds tension through uncertain reality versus imagination. Positive reviews highlight: - The atmospheric writing style - Accurate depiction of sleep deprivation - Complex mother-daughter dynamics - Effective blend of psychological thriller and ghost story elements Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Unclear resolution - Some find the protagonist frustrating - Several readers mention difficulty connecting with the main character Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon US: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings) One reader called it "beautifully written but emotionally draining," while another noted it was "compelling but leaves too many questions unanswered." Multiple reviews mention being unable to put it down despite finding parts challenging to follow.

We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver A mother grapples with her role in her teenage son's violent actions through letters to her estranged husband.

The Push by Audrey Audrain A woman questions her maternal instincts as she uncovers disturbing patterns in her daughter's behavior.

Room by Emma Donoghue A five-year-old boy and his mother face the aftermath of their captivity and integration into the world beyond their prison.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn A reporter returns to her hometown to investigate child murders while confronting her own dark family history.

The Need by Helen Phillips A paleobotanist mother encounters an intruder who knows everything about her family, forcing her to confront reality and identity.

🌟 Julie Myerson wrote this haunting novel after her own experience with her teenage son's synthetic cannabis addiction, which she previously documented in her controversial memoir "The Lost Child" (2009). 🌟 The book was partly inspired by real-life cases of "spice" and synthetic drug use in the UK, where users were sometimes described as appearing zombie-like or "sleepwalking." 🌟 Myerson completed the first draft of "Sleepwalking" during the COVID-19 lockdown, incorporating elements of isolation and societal breakdown that resonated with the pandemic experience. 🌟 The novel's central theme of a mother-daughter relationship mirrors Myerson's recurring literary focus on family dynamics and maternal bonds, which appears in many of her other works. 🌟 The book's release in 2023 coincided with growing concerns about synthetic drug use in Britain, with medical professionals reporting a significant increase in related hospital admissions.