(Republished as paperback in 2023 with a new cover different from the one shown here)
“A poignant story about living with a mental health condition, offering insight and hope.” Says Anne Buist, co-author of bestseller The Glass House & Chair of Women’s Health, University of Melbourne.
As Sydney gears up for the 2000 Olympics, Angelica Fletcher is ready to rewrite her life. Bored with her conventional existence, she conjures up a feisty alter ego, Elena. But as Elena grows beyond Angie’s control, the line between reality and imagination blurs, sending shockwaves through those around her.
Angie’s husband, Jimmy, scrambles to keep up with her boundless exuberance. Her friend Sinéad is drawn to her spark, unaware of the darkness beneath. And for her mother, Norah, Angie’s wild antics stir up long-buried ghosts. Even Tiger, Jimmy’s estranged friend, is swept up in the mayhem.
Angie is making the most of her borrowed life, but how long can this last before she discovers who Elena really is? With intelligence and sensitivity, this award-winning novel explores the far-reaching effects of mental illness, the transformative power of healing, and the need for balance and authenticity in our lives.