What the Eye Doesn't See by Alice Jolly

What the Eye Doesn't See

Alice Jolly

Once I had started I could not stop reading this beautifully written study of the bond between mother and son, father and daughter. The pressures a secret brings to bear on three generations of a family are explored and eventually resolved in this moving novel.

Extract
And so now I understand - that's how love works. It means that someone looks at you and to them you look good and, for them. Whatever you do is fine. Then after a while you begin to look at yourself as they see you. You begin to like yourself. Your mop of fuzzy hair becomes luxurious, your lumps become curves, your sharp tongue turns into wit, your funny clothes become stylish - or at least endearing. You are quite changed. At least for as long as that person is looking at you.
Parallels
  • The Facts of Life by Patrick Gale
  • The Politician's Wife - TV series