The Girl Before

In this powerful psychological suspense debut, when a woman’s life is shattered, she is faced with a devastating question: What if everything she thought was normal and good and true...wasn’t?

Clara Lawson is torn from her life in an instant. Without warning, her home is invaded by armed men, and she finds herself separated from her beloved husband and daughters. The last thing her husband yells to her is to say nothing.

In chapters that alternate between past and present, the novel slowly unpeels the layers of Clara’s fractured life. We see her growing up, raised with her sisters by the stern Mama and Papa G, becoming a poised and educated young woman, falling desperately in love with the forbidden son of her adoptive parents. We see her now, sequestered in an institution, questioned by men and women who call her a different name—Diana—and who accuse her husband of unspeakable crimes. As recollections of her past collide with new revelations, Clara must question everything she thought she knew, to come to terms with the truth of her history and to summon the strength to navigate her future.

Reseñas de la Crítica

Praise for The Girl Before

“Gripping...A powerful, moving debut by therapist Olsen in which cruelty is counterbalanced by compassion and love.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Easily the most disturbing and unsettling book I have read this year....As in the best suspense novels, there are mysteries within mysteries, and all is not what it seems—not to Clara, and definitely not to the reader.”—BookPage, A Best Mystery of 2016

“[A] thoughtful look at victims and perpetrators and the difficulties that arise for someone who is both at once....[The Girl Before] moves at the pace of a mystery, but the novel is strongest when it allows Clara to unpack her past and consider who she will be going forward. A moving story of recovery and responsibility.”—Kirkus Reviews

“I couldn't put it down. The novel is compelling, perplexing, and ultimately uplifting! The unusual structure is a perfect match for the magnetic voice of the central character. I predict this daring debut will make Rena Olsen “the girl ahead” among psychological suspense authors.”—Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Upon a Winter’s Night

“A disturbing story, haunting and important.”—Alexandra Burt, author of Remember Mia

“Daring, harrowing and absolutely riveting.”—Sandra Block, author of Little Black Lies

Exceptional audiobook

If you liked Emma Donoghue's "Room" or Liane Moriarty's "Truly, Madly Guilty", this book takes a look at similar issues but is so, so much deeper. With great sensitivity and compassion, Olsen handles very difficult and dark content without the need for graphic horror. And yet it is a story of redemption and love, amid all the bleakness.
The lead character is totally sympathetic, although her naivety is sometimes a little surprising, but understandable from her restricted up-bringing.
This was a totally gripping story. Excellent use of flashbacks illuminate the present as the story unfolds.
The cream on this cake was the performance, which was truly outstanding, like watching a movie, with carefully nuanced voices for each character, including both genders.

Not totally believable,but compelling & insightful

This is a story about human trafficking - not a spoiler because it's clear from early on. It's compelling but it's also unbelievable in the portrayal of the size, extent, organisation of the operation, and in the psychiatric care and support the main character receives once she's "rescued." These two aspects kept pulling me out of the story. But it's a fascinating look at how a child's mind can be bent to accept what the rest of us find abhorrent.
Clara was kidnapped as a child, told her parents didn't want her and gave her to the couple who took her. She and other girls are raised by the couple, taught to obey and not question. They are being trained to be sold to their "client." The girls work hard to earn an good client, envisioning a rich life, travel etc. The couple's son falls in love with Clara and she marries him instead, happily because she loves him so much. She and her husband carry on and raise their own kidnapped girls to train and sell. Clara loves her "daughters" and doesn't treat them as harshly as she was treated, but she never questions when they "graduate" to being sold. She misses them but "knows" they have a better life than they would have otherwise.
The story opens when the authorities break in, take Clara and her husband. Her husband is in prison, Clara in a psych hospital where authorities work to get her to give them information. The novel moves between then (before arrest) and now (hospital.). The THEN section don't flow in chronological order so it's not easy to follow if you try to make sense of them, but they do capture the sense of both growing up in that environment and then being the "mother" in such a situation.
Trafficking is an important subject and this book gives some insight the psychology that goes with it. Even beyond trafficking, it provides insight into the mentality that allows abused women (or men) to stay with those who abuse them - whether actually physical/sexual abuse or "simply" emotional abuse.

Brittany Pressley was very good with the delivery of the story

A bit slow

This is a very good book, very well read and written. However, the story is a bit predictable and slow to build. I understand given the circumstances of the main character that it would take some time to get to the climax; but it took forever seems like. The story harped on her love for Glynn way too much. I got that point during the first 3hrs! Other than the story dragging on Glynnthis was a good listen.

Horrifying Topic, Unique Vantage Point

If I had realized that human trafficking was the topic I may have avoided the book however I am glad that I did not. The vantage point is such that the unacceptable is the norm. The psychology of brainwashing, of the Stockholm syndrome, are shared from a unique perspective. Reflection allows one to see the messages as applicable to many aspects of life. The reader was spectacular. She made Clara come to life yet was also able to communicate the repression that was part of Clara's life. I recommend the book.

Wow!

Any additional comments?

This book is simply wow! It's my first book of Rena Olsen and one of the best I've ever listened to. I will definitely buy more of her works. The story is gripping and the deeper you go into the story the more intruiging it gets. Also the performance of Brittany Pressley is fantastic as always!

Buy it! Enjoy it!