The Promise Between Us

Veins opened, story bled

There’s that famous quote attributed to Red Smith that says, “Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed.”

When I read Barbara Claypole White’s novels, I get the sense that’s exactly what she does, but especially in The Promise Between Us.

The veil between fiction and reality seems gossamer thin, with the smallest touch one could reach through the writing and catch amazing Maise’s tear on your finger.

And because the line between here and there is so transparent, it allows Claypole White to give her readers access to what life inside OCD is like. It grows compassion for a woman like Katie Mack who often lives in a one-sided, demonized half of a headline.

It is a hard read at times. All those anxieties that many of us have as tiny whispers in the back of our minds are amplified to a deafening volume and you long to turn it down for yourself and for these characters. But that’s what builds compassion and understanding for those living with mental illness in real life.

Claypole White has a way of writing that gives her characters such depth that you’d swear you knew them.

As heavy as mental illness can be to read about, there is joy and humor and hope in these pages, too. Enough to keep you going, enough to soften the hits to your emotional guts.

Sometimes I am wary of reading an author more than once. I worry that the new book won’t quite grab me as much as the other book I read and loved, but when I read two that I love... it’s magic. I’m looking forward to the next book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Insightful

Their was so much detail in this story about OCD and how it effects your thought process. Grateful for that insight into a condition I knew little about.

OCD Understood

Fabulous story about OCD and how tough it is to live with this mental health disorder.

Thanks barbara

I really enjoyed them as my first e books i finished them both walking to library and back

Predictable and Boring

I have OCD and I understand there are all types. This book was annoying and predictable. There was nothing about this book that made me want to continue listening to it, although I did finish it. It was very hard to get through. Sorry, I would not recommend this book and I am normally not very picky about books but this one didn't do it for me in any way.

Such a beautiful story!

This was one of the best books I've read in years! It was beautiful, heart wrenching and insightful. it brought tears to my eyes with sadness and happiness along with making me laugh out loud. Ms. White did an amazing job with helping us understand just how harmful ANY mental illness can be, even if it doesn't look like it on the outside.

Very Original

This was an excellent listen. I have never listened to a story about people with OCD. It was difficult to listen to Katie and Mazie's OCD thoughts because they are very intense and repetitive. However, it helped me understand how bad OCD can get. Justine Eyre did a fabulous job with the OCD thoughts. She nailed the intensity
and urgency of the thoughts amazingly well. Very different for a change!!

Vicky J