Lead Review (Adelaide)
- Book: Adelaide
- Location: London
- Author: Genevieve Wheeler
It is such a pleasure when a terrifically good novel drops unexpectedly through our letterbox. This is definitely one of the top reads in 2024 and tells the story of Adelaide (nothing to do with the city in Australia, in case you were wondering). She is an American who moves to London, and with her we explore the ups and downs of her particular relationship with Rory Hughes.
This is a beautifully written story with a good level of psychological insight, as it meanders around her young life. It is not a linear story as such, but more a well constructed rummage around in her life, both past and present.
The novel opens as she is trying to check herself into a hospital in Chelsea, with suicidal ideation. We learn of her early familial experiences, where mental health issues were part and parcel of her family dynamic, and as she moves into early adulthood, she embarks on her first significant relationship, which sets the tone for future encounters.
She is largely a people pleaser and she knows how to speak to people in pain. And along comes Rory, who at first is the epitome of the handsome and engaging young man – her internalised blueprint – with qualities and connection that appeal. At first, of course, it feels like there are so many positives but then he ghosts her for short periods and has a tendency to withhold. She can, of course, justify his behaviour and gives him a great deal of leeway.
She then briefly meets his ex, Nathalie, whom he abandoned at the point when they jointly signed a lease on a flat, where they intended to live together, clear signs that he has trouble committing. Adelaide, of course, has little inkling of his proclivities, given that their relationship is still new. As readers, we are picking up on his fears and just have to root for Adelaide, that she sees his behaviour for what it is and responds accordingly. He himself looks back at his time with Nathalie, he emotionally rewrites history and she assumes the love-of-his life status.
Then, a life altering event revs up the trajectory of this story, creating a well rounded novel, with psychological depth and insight. This novel proves to be a really great start to this author’s writing career, a corker, and as it says in the blurb, a “.. relatable debut novel about young love…”. And I love the book cover.
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