Unravelling Oliver by Liz Nugent

Thanks to LoveReading.co.uk and Penguin I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review......

Meet Oliver Ryan, a very successful children’s book writer who is married to an equally successful woman, Alice who also happens to be the illustrator for his books.  From the outside they are the vision of a happy couple but reality is far from it.  One day, Oliver hits Alice so badly that she ends up in coma and nobody can understand that why would he do that so Oliver tells his story.  As the story moves on we're introduced to many characters along the way who have all either had dealings with Oliver or those paths he has crossed over five decades. What unfolds is a story of shame, envy, breath-taking deception and masterful manipulation.

I didn't like this book, I LOVED it.  The first chapter was challenging but compelling. Once I started reading I could not put this book down.  I really disliked Oliver from the first page throughout the book but I could feel my feelings getting softer towards the end for him but you'll have to read it to find out why.   This story demonstrates the extent to which childhood experiences and relationships with our parents impact upon the adult that we become.  Beneath the handsome charming, successful exterior is a toxic manipulative man, who destroys and damages the lives of those who are close to him.  It is so true what they say none of us knows what goes on behind closed doors.

Liz Nugent has worked in Irish film, theatre and television for most of her adult life. She is an award-winning writer of radio and television drama and has written short stories for children and adults. Unravelling Oliver is her first novel and I look forward to reading her next novel.

This is available on Kindle and from all good bookstores.