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Show Me Where It Hurts
‘This story of a woman’s survival after the worst has happened, makes for a searingly beautiful novel.�
Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things
‘Exceptional . . . simply an exquisite novel�
Anne Griffin, author of When All Is Said
How do you survive the unsurvivable?
Rachel lives with her husband Tom and their two children: it's the ordinary family life she always thought she'd have. All of that changes in an instant - when Tom runs the family car off the road, seeking to end his own life, and take his wife and children with him. Rachel is left to pore over the wreckage to try and understand what happened - to find a way to go on living afterwards.
What emerges is a snapshot of what it's like to live alongside someone who is suffering, how you keep yourself afloat when the person you love is drowning, and how you survive irreparable loss.
Impossible to turn away from, Show Me Where It Hurts is a compelling, heartbreaking and ultimately life-affirming story of recovery and unexpected hope.
Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things
‘Exceptional . . . simply an exquisite novel�
Anne Griffin, author of When All Is Said
How do you survive the unsurvivable?
Rachel lives with her husband Tom and their two children: it's the ordinary family life she always thought she'd have. All of that changes in an instant - when Tom runs the family car off the road, seeking to end his own life, and take his wife and children with him. Rachel is left to pore over the wreckage to try and understand what happened - to find a way to go on living afterwards.
What emerges is a snapshot of what it's like to live alongside someone who is suffering, how you keep yourself afloat when the person you love is drowning, and how you survive irreparable loss.
Impossible to turn away from, Show Me Where It Hurts is a compelling, heartbreaking and ultimately life-affirming story of recovery and unexpected hope.
- GenresFictionContemporary
Hardcover
Published April 10, 2025
33 people are currently reading
1,013 people want to read
About the author
Claire Gleeson
1book13followersClaire Gleeson is from Dublin, where she lives with her young family and works as a GP. Her short stories have been short- and long-listed for numerous prizes. In 2021 she was awarded a Words Ireland literary mentorship while she worked on the first draft of Show Me Where It Hurts, which went on to be a runner-up at the Irish Writers� Centre Novel Fair 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 10, 2025
Exceptional debut but not an easy read.
We meet Rachel as she's sitting in the passenger seat of the family car. Tom, her husband, is driving. Their two young children in the back. They had been at Tom's parents that afternoon. The drive home is just routine. Or it is until her husband apologises and runs the car off the road.
From there, the timeline splits.
We see how Rachel and Tom meet, the proposal, wedding, kids. A sneak peek into family life and the weeks leading up to 'the incident '.
In the second timeline, we witness the horror of the aftermath.
This is a successful dual timeline, in my opinion, I was equally invested in both, and it made sense to format the story this way.
This wasn't an easy read, yet I could have read it in one sitting. The plot is as gripping as it is emotional. The grief and shock represented is very real, raw, and ugly to look at. It's not pretty here.
Nothing is cut and dried in these pages. Life is nuanced and complicated, and we are left with questions in the way we are when all stories end earlier than they should.
I cried a lot reading this. There's sadness everywhere in all kinds of forms, but there is hope too, sneaking in the cracks.
It's wild to call this novel beautiful, but the way it's structured, the carefully handling of tough subjects, and the love that swirls in the darkness, it's the only word that seems appropriate.
Five stars.
We meet Rachel as she's sitting in the passenger seat of the family car. Tom, her husband, is driving. Their two young children in the back. They had been at Tom's parents that afternoon. The drive home is just routine. Or it is until her husband apologises and runs the car off the road.
From there, the timeline splits.
We see how Rachel and Tom meet, the proposal, wedding, kids. A sneak peek into family life and the weeks leading up to 'the incident '.
In the second timeline, we witness the horror of the aftermath.
This is a successful dual timeline, in my opinion, I was equally invested in both, and it made sense to format the story this way.
This wasn't an easy read, yet I could have read it in one sitting. The plot is as gripping as it is emotional. The grief and shock represented is very real, raw, and ugly to look at. It's not pretty here.
Nothing is cut and dried in these pages. Life is nuanced and complicated, and we are left with questions in the way we are when all stories end earlier than they should.
I cried a lot reading this. There's sadness everywhere in all kinds of forms, but there is hope too, sneaking in the cracks.
It's wild to call this novel beautiful, but the way it's structured, the carefully handling of tough subjects, and the love that swirls in the darkness, it's the only word that seems appropriate.
Five stars.
April 15, 2025
Show Me Where It Hurts is an incredible novel but I know some people are a little nervous about reading it. So let me allay your fears a little by saying that you could call into a bookshop and read only to the end of page two before you'll know whether you can read on. And if you can, though your heart will be broken into several tiny pieces, perhaps by the end a little bit of it will have been glued back together.
Tom and Rachel are married with two children when, one day, Tom carries out an unexpected act that will destroy their lives forever. After this act occurs on page two, the book interchanges between "before" and "after". The story is told from Rachel's point of view, where we discover more about her relationship with her husband and the difficulties they faced before the incident, and how, inconceivably, she carried on each day after complete devastation.
As a paramedic, I am often asked how I cope with the things that I see but, invariably, what I think of most often is that I essentially get to walk away, whilst it is the loved ones who have to return home to a life that will never be the same. The devastation for me is brief, and I cannot comprehend how people live each day with intolerable pain.
What Claire Gleeson achieves in Show Me Where It Hurts is showing us the resilience and strength of the human spirit and that, even when the absolute worst happens, we can still find a way to carry on, somehow. This is a truly heartbreaking and devastating book, following an absolutely unthinkable act, but if you can make it through to the end, you might just see a little light and happiness shine through. You'll also be rewarded with an absolute feat of storytelling that will stay with you for such a very, very long time. Despite tears in my eyes even whilst writing this review, Show Me Where It Hurts will most likely be one of my books of the year.
Tom and Rachel are married with two children when, one day, Tom carries out an unexpected act that will destroy their lives forever. After this act occurs on page two, the book interchanges between "before" and "after". The story is told from Rachel's point of view, where we discover more about her relationship with her husband and the difficulties they faced before the incident, and how, inconceivably, she carried on each day after complete devastation.
As a paramedic, I am often asked how I cope with the things that I see but, invariably, what I think of most often is that I essentially get to walk away, whilst it is the loved ones who have to return home to a life that will never be the same. The devastation for me is brief, and I cannot comprehend how people live each day with intolerable pain.
What Claire Gleeson achieves in Show Me Where It Hurts is showing us the resilience and strength of the human spirit and that, even when the absolute worst happens, we can still find a way to carry on, somehow. This is a truly heartbreaking and devastating book, following an absolutely unthinkable act, but if you can make it through to the end, you might just see a little light and happiness shine through. You'll also be rewarded with an absolute feat of storytelling that will stay with you for such a very, very long time. Despite tears in my eyes even whilst writing this review, Show Me Where It Hurts will most likely be one of my books of the year.
April 7, 2025
This debut novel by Irish writer and medical doctor Claire Gleeson is just so unspeakably sad and yet it is brimming with love, empathy and humanity. I cried so many times while reading it - I feel I have to say that so that if you decide to read this novel, you’re prepared for what lies ahead.
Rachel and Tom are married with two children when one day, life is changed utterly for them. The novel charts Rachel’s return from the brink of despair, finding comfort in the small things, always finding a reason to put one foot in front of the other.
It is so beautifully written and so tender and compelling, but be warned: your heart will ache. I couldn’t help but think of the real life cases similar to the storyline in this book, and I hold all of those families in my thoughts.
If you think you can bear it, this is a must-read. 5/5 ⭐️
With thanks to Sceptre Books for the advance copy via @Netgalley. Show Me Where It Hurts will be published this Thursday and is already on the shelves in Irish bookshops. If you loved Nesting, I predict you will love this too.
Rachel and Tom are married with two children when one day, life is changed utterly for them. The novel charts Rachel’s return from the brink of despair, finding comfort in the small things, always finding a reason to put one foot in front of the other.
It is so beautifully written and so tender and compelling, but be warned: your heart will ache. I couldn’t help but think of the real life cases similar to the storyline in this book, and I hold all of those families in my thoughts.
If you think you can bear it, this is a must-read. 5/5 ⭐️
With thanks to Sceptre Books for the advance copy via @Netgalley. Show Me Where It Hurts will be published this Thursday and is already on the shelves in Irish bookshops. If you loved Nesting, I predict you will love this too.
April 13, 2025
4.5
This is an astonishing subject to have for a novel but thankfully Claire Gleeson handled it beautifully.
Rachel and Tom have a normal life, with an ordinary house, ordinary jobs, two children and the usual hassles. Until one day when Tom drives the family car off the road in a bid to end his own life and that of his entire family.
Show Me Where It Hurts follows Rachel's story divided into before and after the accident.
This is an emotive subject and it took my breath away in parts but Claire Gleeson has written a beautiful novel full of love and forgiveness along with confusion and a desire to understand how one person can make such a decision that will change your life forever.
The characters of Rachel and her family along with Tom and his mother, Bernice, are all quite sympathetic, which is something I didn't think I'd say after the first shock.
I will certainly be looking out for more books written by this author.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
This is an astonishing subject to have for a novel but thankfully Claire Gleeson handled it beautifully.
Rachel and Tom have a normal life, with an ordinary house, ordinary jobs, two children and the usual hassles. Until one day when Tom drives the family car off the road in a bid to end his own life and that of his entire family.
Show Me Where It Hurts follows Rachel's story divided into before and after the accident.
This is an emotive subject and it took my breath away in parts but Claire Gleeson has written a beautiful novel full of love and forgiveness along with confusion and a desire to understand how one person can make such a decision that will change your life forever.
The characters of Rachel and her family along with Tom and his mother, Bernice, are all quite sympathetic, which is something I didn't think I'd say after the first shock.
I will certainly be looking out for more books written by this author.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
April 10, 2025
#Gifted
Happy publication day to this stunning debut from Irish author Claire Gleeson.
I ravenously consumed this book over the course of just a few hours. It’s not easy to put down, in spite of its tough subject matter.
On that note, the premise of Show Me Where it Hurts is very upsetting, undoubtedly.
Whenever I review books that veer on the emotionally devastating side I inevitably get comments like “oh I could never read that, I’d be too upset.�
While I respect that fully, I would gently suggest giving books like this a go.
You’d be surprised how much love and hope you’ll find, particularly in this one.
Rachel is a nurse with two young kids. She thinks all is going well until one day her husband Tom purposefully runs their car off the road, intending to end his own life, and that of his wife and children. The rest of the book jumps back in time to before the crash, and forwards, as Rachel tries to make sense of her life now.
This is such a beautifully and sensitively written story. I felt so often that I was there with Rachel; her world felt all too real, and nuanced. Your first instinct here is to hate Tom, but Gleeson entices empathy from her readers by showing us what living with someone struggling so profoundly with their mental health is like. Nothing is black and white in real life, and the same is true for this book.
The author expertly portrays unimaginable grief too, raw and honest but so believable; I could absolutely imagine feeling everything Rachel went through.
So yes, back to my original point. Show Me Where it Hurts is heartbreaking, and so sad (I cried more than once) but it’s also compelling, and life-affirming. I genuinely could not recommend it enough, it’s going straight onto my 2025 favourites list.
A little (it’s a perfectly sized 244 pages long) masterpiece ❤️
With many thanks @hachetteireland @elaineeganbooks for my early copy. All options are my own, as always. #ShowMeWhereItHurts is available to buy now.
Happy publication day to this stunning debut from Irish author Claire Gleeson.
I ravenously consumed this book over the course of just a few hours. It’s not easy to put down, in spite of its tough subject matter.
On that note, the premise of Show Me Where it Hurts is very upsetting, undoubtedly.
Whenever I review books that veer on the emotionally devastating side I inevitably get comments like “oh I could never read that, I’d be too upset.�
While I respect that fully, I would gently suggest giving books like this a go.
You’d be surprised how much love and hope you’ll find, particularly in this one.
Rachel is a nurse with two young kids. She thinks all is going well until one day her husband Tom purposefully runs their car off the road, intending to end his own life, and that of his wife and children. The rest of the book jumps back in time to before the crash, and forwards, as Rachel tries to make sense of her life now.
This is such a beautifully and sensitively written story. I felt so often that I was there with Rachel; her world felt all too real, and nuanced. Your first instinct here is to hate Tom, but Gleeson entices empathy from her readers by showing us what living with someone struggling so profoundly with their mental health is like. Nothing is black and white in real life, and the same is true for this book.
The author expertly portrays unimaginable grief too, raw and honest but so believable; I could absolutely imagine feeling everything Rachel went through.
So yes, back to my original point. Show Me Where it Hurts is heartbreaking, and so sad (I cried more than once) but it’s also compelling, and life-affirming. I genuinely could not recommend it enough, it’s going straight onto my 2025 favourites list.
A little (it’s a perfectly sized 244 pages long) masterpiece ❤️
With many thanks @hachetteireland @elaineeganbooks for my early copy. All options are my own, as always. #ShowMeWhereItHurts is available to buy now.
January 9, 2025
This debut novel from Irish short story writer, Claire Gleeson, opens with one of the most arresting chapters I’ve ever read which had me instantly hooked. So much so, that I finished the book in a single sitting. Rachel is married to architect husband Tom. They have two small children, Rachel works in a Dublin hospital as a nurse and on the surface, life seems good. That is until a shocking event takes place one night which left this reader reeling.
As the pivotal event happens so early on in the book, I won’t describe too much more of the story in specifics. That would spoil the experience for you. Suffice to say that what follows is a beautifully crafted story of survival in the face of tragedy and the strength of the human spirit. The author deals with a range of very difficult topics in such a humane and sensitive manner which really impressed me. At times, it took my breath away. This is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve read it and I wish the author every success with her novel. A very worthy 5 star read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder books for this arc in return for my honest review. ‘Show me where it hurts� is published by Sceptre in April 2025.
As the pivotal event happens so early on in the book, I won’t describe too much more of the story in specifics. That would spoil the experience for you. Suffice to say that what follows is a beautifully crafted story of survival in the face of tragedy and the strength of the human spirit. The author deals with a range of very difficult topics in such a humane and sensitive manner which really impressed me. At times, it took my breath away. This is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve read it and I wish the author every success with her novel. A very worthy 5 star read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder books for this arc in return for my honest review. ‘Show me where it hurts� is published by Sceptre in April 2025.
May 9, 2025
First up: trigger warnings: suicide, attempted suicide, death/murder of young children, child loss/grief, mental health issues and depression.
Show Me Where It Hurts is the debut novel by Claire Gleeson and honestly after finishing this book the answer is for me personally is “EVERYWHERE HURTS NOW�.
Having read some of the blurbs on the book I’m not sure my review can give this story the credit it deserves.
First of all, this is a very brave and courageous topic to cover. It’s every parent’s nightmare and I don’t know how to put into words how much this story affected me emotionally.
The main character Rachel suffers the most tragic event when her husband Tom deliberately runs the family car off the road with the intention of ending his life alongside Rachel and their 2 young children. Sadly both children die, but Rachel and Tom survive and Show Me Where It Hurts starts to examine how Rachel navigates her shattered life having lost her reason to live.
Told through dual timelines, the reader is taken on the sad journey from when Rachel and Tom met to the car crash.
Despite the horrific and unimaginable scenario, the book is beautifully written, the subject of grief, loss and heartbreak are sensitively covered and the reader can feel the pain, confusion and emotion pouring from Rachel throughout.
This story is sad yet hopeful, brutal but beautiful, tragic and thought provoking and I absolutely recommend it.
Show Me Where It Hurts is the debut novel by Claire Gleeson and honestly after finishing this book the answer is for me personally is “EVERYWHERE HURTS NOW�.
Having read some of the blurbs on the book I’m not sure my review can give this story the credit it deserves.
First of all, this is a very brave and courageous topic to cover. It’s every parent’s nightmare and I don’t know how to put into words how much this story affected me emotionally.
The main character Rachel suffers the most tragic event when her husband Tom deliberately runs the family car off the road with the intention of ending his life alongside Rachel and their 2 young children. Sadly both children die, but Rachel and Tom survive and Show Me Where It Hurts starts to examine how Rachel navigates her shattered life having lost her reason to live.
Told through dual timelines, the reader is taken on the sad journey from when Rachel and Tom met to the car crash.
Despite the horrific and unimaginable scenario, the book is beautifully written, the subject of grief, loss and heartbreak are sensitively covered and the reader can feel the pain, confusion and emotion pouring from Rachel throughout.
This story is sad yet hopeful, brutal but beautiful, tragic and thought provoking and I absolutely recommend it.
April 18, 2025
Absolutely loved it! From beginning to end - I was consumed by this thoughtful and accomplished novel.
Rachel is a complex character that is vividly depicted that left me feeling devasted at points. These moments of utter devastation are counterbalanced with wonderful glimpses of kindness and support and ultimately: hope.
Rachel is a complex character that is vividly depicted that left me feeling devasted at points. These moments of utter devastation are counterbalanced with wonderful glimpses of kindness and support and ultimately: hope.
May 12, 2025
This is a beautifully written novel about how you deal with the aftermath of an unthinkable tragedy.
The book opens with a husband and father attempting a murder suicide of his family and from there discusses the aftermath of the incident, interspersed with flashbacks of their life prior, told from the point of view of the wife Rachel.
As well as being incredibly moving, it was so empathetically and gently written and, despite the heavy subject matter, I found myself unable to put it down
I think it reflected really well the numerous reactions and coping strategies when it comes to trauma and is a reminder that grief is never linear.
The book opens with a husband and father attempting a murder suicide of his family and from there discusses the aftermath of the incident, interspersed with flashbacks of their life prior, told from the point of view of the wife Rachel.
As well as being incredibly moving, it was so empathetically and gently written and, despite the heavy subject matter, I found myself unable to put it down
I think it reflected really well the numerous reactions and coping strategies when it comes to trauma and is a reminder that grief is never linear.
April 6, 2025
Show Me Where it Hurts
By Claire Gleeson
A captivating debut about surviving unspeakable loss and grief. The opening chapter, "Something Wild and Terrible," describes the pivotal moment in Rachel's life, when, like a flip of a switch, everything she loves and everything she is, is obliterated. The brevity of the chapter is shocking compared to the devastation that ensues. What is left?
How can a person pick themselves up and carry on? Why would they want to?
I'm very impressed with the stylistic choices Gleeson makes in her first novel. The structure is clean and highly effective. The alternating of linear Before and linear After produce an even pace and offer the reader the comfort to process these harrowing circumstances without hyperbole. The marking of time in both timelines feels precise, one told through tension, the other through emotion.
Rachel appears so real, it feels wrong to think of her as a character, she's too personal for that. She is embued with grace, even throughout the movements she makes through the various stages of mourning and grief. There are so many ways that the author conveys a sense of dignity, quiet little things like preserving the anonymity of the children, like the pared back dialogue, the universality of gesture.
A quiet examination of how the human spirit survives. Beautifully written and bound to evoke your deepest compassion and empathy.
Publication Date: 10th April 2025
Thanks to #Netgalley and ##HodderStoughton for providing an ARC for review purposes.
By Claire Gleeson
A captivating debut about surviving unspeakable loss and grief. The opening chapter, "Something Wild and Terrible," describes the pivotal moment in Rachel's life, when, like a flip of a switch, everything she loves and everything she is, is obliterated. The brevity of the chapter is shocking compared to the devastation that ensues. What is left?
How can a person pick themselves up and carry on? Why would they want to?
I'm very impressed with the stylistic choices Gleeson makes in her first novel. The structure is clean and highly effective. The alternating of linear Before and linear After produce an even pace and offer the reader the comfort to process these harrowing circumstances without hyperbole. The marking of time in both timelines feels precise, one told through tension, the other through emotion.
Rachel appears so real, it feels wrong to think of her as a character, she's too personal for that. She is embued with grace, even throughout the movements she makes through the various stages of mourning and grief. There are so many ways that the author conveys a sense of dignity, quiet little things like preserving the anonymity of the children, like the pared back dialogue, the universality of gesture.
A quiet examination of how the human spirit survives. Beautifully written and bound to evoke your deepest compassion and empathy.
Publication Date: 10th April 2025
Thanks to #Netgalley and ##HodderStoughton for providing an ARC for review purposes.
April 12, 2025
I wasn't able put this book down and stayed up into the small hours, eyes burning, heart in tatters, because there was no way I was leaving it unfinished. I loved it even though it broke me a little (or maybe because it did). It’s devastating, yes, but also full of quiet, life-affirming strength, raw beauty, and the kind of love that lodges deep in your bones and won’t let go.
The story follows Rachel, a mother of two, whose world is shattered in one unspeakable moment when her husband, Tom, drives the family car off the road in an attempt to end his own life—and theirs. Rachel and Tom survive, but what follows is the kind of trauma you don’t just bounce back from.
What Gleeson does so powerfully is bring us into that aftermath, Rachel’s grief, shock, rage, and stubborn, flickering hope. There’s confusion, tenderness, fury, love—and above all, the deep resolve to keep going. Not perfectly. Not cleanly. But honestly.
There’s no gloss here, no easy redemption, which is why it lands so hard—I cried more than once. It’s not just a story of survival, but of the slow, lonely, impossible-feeling work of living after. Of loving someone who’s suffering. Of clinging to fragments of yourself in the dark.
There’s such grace in Gleeson’s writing, a depth that hums in the pauses, in the things left unsaid, in the way ordinary moments turn quietly profound. The past and present weave through each other like breath and heartbeat, and it leaves you wrecked and grateful all at once.
If you’re after something raw, real, and unforgettable—this is the one. I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time yet.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC via NetGalley. As always, this is my honest review.
The story follows Rachel, a mother of two, whose world is shattered in one unspeakable moment when her husband, Tom, drives the family car off the road in an attempt to end his own life—and theirs. Rachel and Tom survive, but what follows is the kind of trauma you don’t just bounce back from.
What Gleeson does so powerfully is bring us into that aftermath, Rachel’s grief, shock, rage, and stubborn, flickering hope. There’s confusion, tenderness, fury, love—and above all, the deep resolve to keep going. Not perfectly. Not cleanly. But honestly.
There’s no gloss here, no easy redemption, which is why it lands so hard—I cried more than once. It’s not just a story of survival, but of the slow, lonely, impossible-feeling work of living after. Of loving someone who’s suffering. Of clinging to fragments of yourself in the dark.
There’s such grace in Gleeson’s writing, a depth that hums in the pauses, in the things left unsaid, in the way ordinary moments turn quietly profound. The past and present weave through each other like breath and heartbeat, and it leaves you wrecked and grateful all at once.
If you’re after something raw, real, and unforgettable—this is the one. I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time yet.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC via NetGalley. As always, this is my honest review.
February 19, 2025
This one hurt. But it was also kind of beautiful. It was a nice reminder that life is so shit, but there are so many beautiful things that are still worth sticking around for.
I think this is just one of those books that you need sometimes. Like a cup of tea on a cool, rainy morning or a hug from your mum after a heartbreak.
I think this is just one of those books that you need sometimes. Like a cup of tea on a cool, rainy morning or a hug from your mum after a heartbreak.
April 17, 2025
Superb and makes you think at every turn of page.
March 24, 2025
Searingly poignant, beautifully written, an excellent debut.
December 16, 2024
This opens with heartbreak, and then counts the time down to the event, and away from it.
You see how the situation occurred, and hoe you go about recovering from it.
If it doesn't leave you feeling a little emotional, there might be something wrong.
Beautifully written, with sensitive subjects handled very well.very very good.
You see how the situation occurred, and hoe you go about recovering from it.
If it doesn't leave you feeling a little emotional, there might be something wrong.
Beautifully written, with sensitive subjects handled very well.very very good.
March 7, 2025
The opening chapter of this book made me gasp.
The story of Rachel,Tom and their two small children unfolds.
Set in dual time lines this beautifully written book chronicles love,heartbreak and the strength of the human spirit in the worst of times.
Highly recommended
The story of Rachel,Tom and their two small children unfolds.
Set in dual time lines this beautifully written book chronicles love,heartbreak and the strength of the human spirit in the worst of times.
Highly recommended
March 8, 2025
Some books don’t just tell a story; they carve out a space inside you, fill it with sorrow and love in equal measure, and leave you a little more broken, a little more aware. Show Me Where It Hurts by Claire Gleeson is one of those books. It’s not just about tragedy—it’s about the fragile, gossamer-thin line between love and devastation, and how, when that line finally snaps, it feels impossible to trace back the moments that led to the breaking point.
I grew up with a severely mentally ill father, and reading this book was like peering into an alternate version of my own life, one where the fault lines cracked just a little differently. It’s a book that makes you wonder, how close have I come to that precipice? How many times have I nodded along, like Rachel, acknowledging others while feeling entirely absent from my own life? “She felt she spent her life nodding at people now. She had become something almost entirely passive.� And how many times have I questioned whether love can outlast the wreckage, whether there’s anything left to hold onto once the person you love has become someone else entirely?
Gleeson structures the novel with a dual timeline, letting us see Rachel’s life both before and after her husband, Tom, makes an unthinkable decision. The ‘before� is filled with aching tenderness, with a love so intoxicating it makes Rachel feel invincible. “They kiss in the long grass for what feels like hours, and when he pulls back finally his face is flushed and the look in his eyes makes her feel more powerful than she has ever felt before.� But even in these early pages, there’s an undercurrent of something inevitable, a quiet sense that the darkness is gathering at the edges.
And then there’s the ‘after’—a world where grief is not just an emotion but a physical weight, pressing down on Rachel, pinning her to the bed in the mornings. “Some mornings she woke with an inertia that was a blanket of dead air pinning her to the bed, a lumpen weight upon her chest.� It is in these moments that Gleeson’s writing is at its most devastating, stripping Rachel’s pain down to its rawest form. And yet, despite everything, Rachel’s feelings for Tom are not easy to categorize. “She cannot say any more that she loves him; nobody could ask that of her. But she finds that she does not hate him either. There is so little of him left to hate.�
What makes this novel so extraordinary is its refusal to fall into easy answers. It does not offer closure, because real life doesn’t. It does not paint Tom as a monster or Rachel as a saint. Instead, it explores the spaces in between—the moments of love that still exist in the ruins, the guilt that comes from feeling something other than misery, the quiet realization that the world will continue turning no matter how much you want it to stop. “Now she finds there is something almost comforting in the knowledge that the world was here, doing much the same things as always, long before she arrived on it, and will continue to turn on its axis aeons after she has gone.�
I have read many books about mental illness, love, and loss, but few have moved me the way this one has. It is astonishing, thought-provoking, and unbearably human. Claire Gleeson has written something deeply special. A story of love, in all its devastating, complicated, unshakeable forms. And it is one I will never forget.
Huge thanks to NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton | Sceptre for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I grew up with a severely mentally ill father, and reading this book was like peering into an alternate version of my own life, one where the fault lines cracked just a little differently. It’s a book that makes you wonder, how close have I come to that precipice? How many times have I nodded along, like Rachel, acknowledging others while feeling entirely absent from my own life? “She felt she spent her life nodding at people now. She had become something almost entirely passive.� And how many times have I questioned whether love can outlast the wreckage, whether there’s anything left to hold onto once the person you love has become someone else entirely?
Gleeson structures the novel with a dual timeline, letting us see Rachel’s life both before and after her husband, Tom, makes an unthinkable decision. The ‘before� is filled with aching tenderness, with a love so intoxicating it makes Rachel feel invincible. “They kiss in the long grass for what feels like hours, and when he pulls back finally his face is flushed and the look in his eyes makes her feel more powerful than she has ever felt before.� But even in these early pages, there’s an undercurrent of something inevitable, a quiet sense that the darkness is gathering at the edges.
And then there’s the ‘after’—a world where grief is not just an emotion but a physical weight, pressing down on Rachel, pinning her to the bed in the mornings. “Some mornings she woke with an inertia that was a blanket of dead air pinning her to the bed, a lumpen weight upon her chest.� It is in these moments that Gleeson’s writing is at its most devastating, stripping Rachel’s pain down to its rawest form. And yet, despite everything, Rachel’s feelings for Tom are not easy to categorize. “She cannot say any more that she loves him; nobody could ask that of her. But she finds that she does not hate him either. There is so little of him left to hate.�
What makes this novel so extraordinary is its refusal to fall into easy answers. It does not offer closure, because real life doesn’t. It does not paint Tom as a monster or Rachel as a saint. Instead, it explores the spaces in between—the moments of love that still exist in the ruins, the guilt that comes from feeling something other than misery, the quiet realization that the world will continue turning no matter how much you want it to stop. “Now she finds there is something almost comforting in the knowledge that the world was here, doing much the same things as always, long before she arrived on it, and will continue to turn on its axis aeons after she has gone.�
I have read many books about mental illness, love, and loss, but few have moved me the way this one has. It is astonishing, thought-provoking, and unbearably human. Claire Gleeson has written something deeply special. A story of love, in all its devastating, complicated, unshakeable forms. And it is one I will never forget.
Huge thanks to NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton | Sceptre for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 18, 2025
Show Me Where It Hurts by Claire Gleeson published April 10th with Sceptre and is described as 'emotionally arresting fiction� with good reason.
A debut that can have such an enormous impact is a special one and Claire Gleeson has taken every mother’s worst nightmare and written a novel that is spectacular, yet beyond heartwrenching. There are no punches spared as the reader is immediately immersed into an unimaginable terror when a family’s journey ends in horror.
Rachel, Tom and their two small children are travelling through the Wicklow countryside, after a visit with Tom’s parents, when Tom swerves the car off the road. The raw devastation that inevitably follows is beyond anything I could possibly conceive as a wife and a mother.
In the chapters that follow we get flashbacks back to when Rachel and Tom met and of the paths they chose together as their relationship progressed from dating to marriage and children. Interwoven are additional chapters of Rachel and how she is coping after the horror of the tragedy. As we jump back and forth we get insights into Tom’s personality as Rachel tries to figure out where it all went wrong. Rachel carries an inner strength that has stood her through very difficult days but the guilt that she endures every minute of every day is impossible to fathom.
Tom had been a loving husband hadn’t he? Were there changes that she missed? Should she have had more patience with him? As a nurse herself should she have been more aware of his decline? The many questions we as readers ask are exactly the thoughts racing through Rachel’s mind. How did she miss it? How did she not see it coming? Claire Gleeson has done an incredible job at building Rachel and Tom’s characters. Over the years we observe and take note of behavioural changes that may seem obvious to an outsider but, when you’re in the thick of it, you can be blind to.
Show Me Where It Hurts is without doubt a devastating read yet there are glimmers of hope as Rachel ploughs on and learns the art of survival through finding comfort where it finds her. It is difficult to pick a word to describe this novel. How can you say something this harrowing is beautiful? But it is. The human spirit is a phenomenal thing and as Rachel considers her past, present and possible future in a new world, her strength and determination is a comfort and a source of some solace.
An emotionally strung-out reader you will be, but fear not, you will also grasp onto the hope and sheer bravery of this amazing individual. Show Me Where It Hurts is a breathtaking debut, a novel that will leave its mark, an achingly beautiful story written with the most sensitive of pens and with enormous compassion and empathy.
A debut that can have such an enormous impact is a special one and Claire Gleeson has taken every mother’s worst nightmare and written a novel that is spectacular, yet beyond heartwrenching. There are no punches spared as the reader is immediately immersed into an unimaginable terror when a family’s journey ends in horror.
Rachel, Tom and their two small children are travelling through the Wicklow countryside, after a visit with Tom’s parents, when Tom swerves the car off the road. The raw devastation that inevitably follows is beyond anything I could possibly conceive as a wife and a mother.
In the chapters that follow we get flashbacks back to when Rachel and Tom met and of the paths they chose together as their relationship progressed from dating to marriage and children. Interwoven are additional chapters of Rachel and how she is coping after the horror of the tragedy. As we jump back and forth we get insights into Tom’s personality as Rachel tries to figure out where it all went wrong. Rachel carries an inner strength that has stood her through very difficult days but the guilt that she endures every minute of every day is impossible to fathom.
Tom had been a loving husband hadn’t he? Were there changes that she missed? Should she have had more patience with him? As a nurse herself should she have been more aware of his decline? The many questions we as readers ask are exactly the thoughts racing through Rachel’s mind. How did she miss it? How did she not see it coming? Claire Gleeson has done an incredible job at building Rachel and Tom’s characters. Over the years we observe and take note of behavioural changes that may seem obvious to an outsider but, when you’re in the thick of it, you can be blind to.
Show Me Where It Hurts is without doubt a devastating read yet there are glimmers of hope as Rachel ploughs on and learns the art of survival through finding comfort where it finds her. It is difficult to pick a word to describe this novel. How can you say something this harrowing is beautiful? But it is. The human spirit is a phenomenal thing and as Rachel considers her past, present and possible future in a new world, her strength and determination is a comfort and a source of some solace.
An emotionally strung-out reader you will be, but fear not, you will also grasp onto the hope and sheer bravery of this amazing individual. Show Me Where It Hurts is a breathtaking debut, a novel that will leave its mark, an achingly beautiful story written with the most sensitive of pens and with enormous compassion and empathy.
March 28, 2025
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this heartbreaking yet beautifully written debut novel, ‘Show Me Where It Hurts� by Claire Gleeson. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and devoured it within two days.
The story follows Rachel and unfolds through two parallel narratives: ‘before� and ‘after� a tragic event. In the ‘before� sections, we see Rachel meet and fall in love with her husband, Tom—a familiar tale of boy meets girl, love blossoms, and they begin to build a life today, settling down and building a family. But as circumstances shift, Tom's struggle with mental health leads to a devastating event that shatters Rachel’s world.
The ‘after� narrative explores Rachel’s journey through unimaginable grief, devastation, and horror. Yet, it also charts her resilience, recovery, and the complexity of healing from profound loss. The interwoven structure of the book is brilliant, enhancing the emotional impact and giving depth to Rachel’s experience.
Given the subject matter, I hesitated to read it, but I am so glad I did. It’s my best read of 2025 so far. Claire Gleeson has an exquisite writing style, capturing the nuances and complexities of love, grief, loss, and mental health with sensitivity and authenticity.
She skillfully avoids clichés, instead presenting her characters as layered and real, illustrating how messy and multifaceted tragedy and healing can be. Even though the story is sad, it also tells a story about survival and hope.
Claire Gleeson has crafted something extraordinary from a difficult topic, and I am in awe of her talent.
I rarely give five-star reviews, but this book unquestionably deserves it. Incredible storytelling, incredible writing.
The book is out on April 10th and available for pre-order now.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the ARC - all opinions are my own.
#ShowMeWhereItHurts #NetGalley #debutbook #irishwriter #debutnovel #irishbookstagram #irishbooklover
@netgalley @hodderbooks @clairegleeson_writer @sceptrebooks
The story follows Rachel and unfolds through two parallel narratives: ‘before� and ‘after� a tragic event. In the ‘before� sections, we see Rachel meet and fall in love with her husband, Tom—a familiar tale of boy meets girl, love blossoms, and they begin to build a life today, settling down and building a family. But as circumstances shift, Tom's struggle with mental health leads to a devastating event that shatters Rachel’s world.
The ‘after� narrative explores Rachel’s journey through unimaginable grief, devastation, and horror. Yet, it also charts her resilience, recovery, and the complexity of healing from profound loss. The interwoven structure of the book is brilliant, enhancing the emotional impact and giving depth to Rachel’s experience.
Given the subject matter, I hesitated to read it, but I am so glad I did. It’s my best read of 2025 so far. Claire Gleeson has an exquisite writing style, capturing the nuances and complexities of love, grief, loss, and mental health with sensitivity and authenticity.
She skillfully avoids clichés, instead presenting her characters as layered and real, illustrating how messy and multifaceted tragedy and healing can be. Even though the story is sad, it also tells a story about survival and hope.
Claire Gleeson has crafted something extraordinary from a difficult topic, and I am in awe of her talent.
I rarely give five-star reviews, but this book unquestionably deserves it. Incredible storytelling, incredible writing.
The book is out on April 10th and available for pre-order now.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the ARC - all opinions are my own.
#ShowMeWhereItHurts #NetGalley #debutbook #irishwriter #debutnovel #irishbookstagram #irishbooklover
@netgalley @hodderbooks @clairegleeson_writer @sceptrebooks
April 1, 2025
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this advance ARC!
If you love contemporary Irish fiction this is definitely a book for you!
Rachel's perfect family life is shattered when her husband Tom drives their car off the road, attempting to end his and his families� lives, leaving her to grapple with the aftermath. As she tries to understand what led to this moment, Show Me Where It Hurts explores the emotional toll of living with someone in deep pain, the struggle to stay afloat when a loved one is drowning, and the challenge of surviving immense loss. A compelling and heartbreaking journey, the novel ultimately offers a story of recovery, resilience, and the unexpected hope that can arise from even the darkest moments.
The chapters are split between the present and the ten years leading up to the accident, when Tom and Rachel met. I love when any novel does this because I think you learn so much more about the characters and the depth of the story. As you read about the accident in the very first chapters, some of the chapters about Rachel and Tom dating can be pretty hard to read knowing what he does ten years later.
Gleeson writes grief exactly as it is; raw, ugly, terrifying, and tidal. A book that is both gripping and emotional. I really liked the way that Gleeson explores family dynamics in the novel, from Rachel’s relationships with her mother, sister, and of course with her husband Tom.
Show Me Where It Hurts is a powerful novel. Gleeson has written a mindful book full of tenderness, heartbreak, and sorrow. The book evoked so much emotion within me, a truly excellent and haunting debut novel that I won’t forget for a long time.
Five stars.
If you love contemporary Irish fiction this is definitely a book for you!
Rachel's perfect family life is shattered when her husband Tom drives their car off the road, attempting to end his and his families� lives, leaving her to grapple with the aftermath. As she tries to understand what led to this moment, Show Me Where It Hurts explores the emotional toll of living with someone in deep pain, the struggle to stay afloat when a loved one is drowning, and the challenge of surviving immense loss. A compelling and heartbreaking journey, the novel ultimately offers a story of recovery, resilience, and the unexpected hope that can arise from even the darkest moments.
The chapters are split between the present and the ten years leading up to the accident, when Tom and Rachel met. I love when any novel does this because I think you learn so much more about the characters and the depth of the story. As you read about the accident in the very first chapters, some of the chapters about Rachel and Tom dating can be pretty hard to read knowing what he does ten years later.
Gleeson writes grief exactly as it is; raw, ugly, terrifying, and tidal. A book that is both gripping and emotional. I really liked the way that Gleeson explores family dynamics in the novel, from Rachel’s relationships with her mother, sister, and of course with her husband Tom.
Show Me Where It Hurts is a powerful novel. Gleeson has written a mindful book full of tenderness, heartbreak, and sorrow. The book evoked so much emotion within me, a truly excellent and haunting debut novel that I won’t forget for a long time.
Five stars.
March 27, 2025
Show Me Where it Hurts is a powerful and heartbreaking book that will linger with me for a long time. The subjects tackled in this book are heavy but the author handles them as sensitively as possible and as someone who has experienced living with someone who struggles with their mental health this book resonated with me in a very personal way. The set up is deceptively simple, the reader is thrown in to the story as the book opens with a car crash, it is only as the book unfolds that we learn that this was no accident, but rather a deliberate attempt by a man to kill himself and his family. The book diverges into two time lines, in one we see how Rachel and Tom meet as students and fall in love, and in the second we follow Rachel in the aftermath of the tragedy that robbed her of her two children as she tries to come to terms with her grief and learn how to navigate her new existence and how to redefine her relationship with her husband in light of what he has done. As the before timeline moves closer and closer to the event that destroyed her life and the after timeline moves further away and closer to healing it is impossible not to feel for Rachel and root for her, but there is also a degree of sympathy for Tom and how dark things must have been for him that his actions seemed like the only possible solutions to the problems he faced. This may be a short book but its impact belies its brevity, it is flawless and though not an easy read it is an incredibly rewarding and memorable one, and one that I will return to and recommend over and over again.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
March 4, 2025
4.5 Stars
ARC - Thank you Netgalley & Hodder + Stoughton
This is Claire Gleeson’s debut into a full length novel from short stories, and whilst this isn’t a huge book - I feel that a lot of authors could learn something from her writing as there are no words wasted across the 252 pages which is both deep in plot and visual descriptions.
The blurb of this book is a very vague and I wasn’t too sure what I was heading into when I started - I would say this is a book you may need to check your trigger warnings for as it is a heavy read.
Rachel and Tom are married with two children, and after the first chapter Rachel is left in the aftermath of her husband having done something terrible. The book alternates between the lead up to the event and after sees Rachel entrenched in the repercussions of her husbands decision - over days, weeks and years.
The story was so succinctly told in such a beautiful way. Towards the end of the book the “after� time jumps get larger - and it felt like we were missing chapters of Rachel’s story in a way if you only watched the last episode of a series each time - you’re caught up on the main events but skipped some of the journey.
I personally found it pretty fast paced and engrossing for covering such heavy topics, and I think I could have read it in one sitting had I have had the luxury.
ARC - Thank you Netgalley & Hodder + Stoughton
This is Claire Gleeson’s debut into a full length novel from short stories, and whilst this isn’t a huge book - I feel that a lot of authors could learn something from her writing as there are no words wasted across the 252 pages which is both deep in plot and visual descriptions.
The blurb of this book is a very vague and I wasn’t too sure what I was heading into when I started - I would say this is a book you may need to check your trigger warnings for as it is a heavy read.
Rachel and Tom are married with two children, and after the first chapter Rachel is left in the aftermath of her husband having done something terrible. The book alternates between the lead up to the event and after sees Rachel entrenched in the repercussions of her husbands decision - over days, weeks and years.
The story was so succinctly told in such a beautiful way. Towards the end of the book the “after� time jumps get larger - and it felt like we were missing chapters of Rachel’s story in a way if you only watched the last episode of a series each time - you’re caught up on the main events but skipped some of the journey.
I personally found it pretty fast paced and engrossing for covering such heavy topics, and I think I could have read it in one sitting had I have had the luxury.
March 22, 2025
Show Me Where It Hurts by Claire Gleeson reads almost like a true crime novel due to its realistic portrayal of every part of the story. The novel follows Rachel, who lives with her husband Tom and their two children, leading what seems to be an ordinary family life. This changes in an instant when Tom deliberately drives the family car off the road, seeking to end his own life and take his wife and children with him. Rachel is left to navigate the wreckage and try to understand what happened, finding a way to go on living afterwards.
Whilst the majority of the book focusses on Rachel and Tom, their children and friends and family also have their parts to play and accurately illustrate the ripple effect of a catastrophic event. The struggle between Rachel and Tom's mental health is depicted through chapters that alternate between 'before' the awful event and the 'after' storyline, providing a stark contrast and a different part of the emotional rollercoaster. This structure is very clever, as anyone who has experienced a massive event in their life knows that there is always a distinct before and after. The book's ability to capture this dichotomy is outstanding.
I loved the book and found it to be an exceptional read, deserving of 5 stars. I imagine this story will stay on my mind for a long time to come.
Whilst the majority of the book focusses on Rachel and Tom, their children and friends and family also have their parts to play and accurately illustrate the ripple effect of a catastrophic event. The struggle between Rachel and Tom's mental health is depicted through chapters that alternate between 'before' the awful event and the 'after' storyline, providing a stark contrast and a different part of the emotional rollercoaster. This structure is very clever, as anyone who has experienced a massive event in their life knows that there is always a distinct before and after. The book's ability to capture this dichotomy is outstanding.
I loved the book and found it to be an exceptional read, deserving of 5 stars. I imagine this story will stay on my mind for a long time to come.
March 12, 2025
This is a story of love loss and how one can survive - and even thrive- after an unspeakable tragedy and loss. I thought the writing was beautiful and very evocative. The first two pages were so shocking that they took ,my breath away!! How Rachel was able to come back from that and even to function just amazed me.
I felt the timelines worked brilliantly well too - having THE DAY as a focal point and then tracing both backwards and forwards in time from that fateful event. Living with someone with mental health issues must be truly hard especially when combined with busy and stressful work and two very young children so even though I felt she herself wondered if she could have done more to spot the signs I felt that Rachel should not blame herself and also that whilst she had some understandable panics that she was falling into depression herself at times the ultimate takeaway was that whilst naturally her son and daughter would always be with her and form an important thread to the rest of her days she should be able to start to live a life for herself again and the narration in the book covers that excellently - from the bursts of joy to the guilt that follows them for allowing herself that joy this is a book that will stay with me for some time to come.
I felt the timelines worked brilliantly well too - having THE DAY as a focal point and then tracing both backwards and forwards in time from that fateful event. Living with someone with mental health issues must be truly hard especially when combined with busy and stressful work and two very young children so even though I felt she herself wondered if she could have done more to spot the signs I felt that Rachel should not blame herself and also that whilst she had some understandable panics that she was falling into depression herself at times the ultimate takeaway was that whilst naturally her son and daughter would always be with her and form an important thread to the rest of her days she should be able to start to live a life for herself again and the narration in the book covers that excellently - from the bursts of joy to the guilt that follows them for allowing herself that joy this is a book that will stay with me for some time to come.
April 4, 2025
Show Me Where It Hurts is a very raw and powerful story of mental illness, the most tragic loss and subsequent grief. The chapters alternate between ‘Before� and ‘After� this devastating event - because as is so clearly reflected in the story, there will always be a ‘Before� and ‘After� for Rachel. Her life is irrevocably changed by this event - the most unthinkable, unbearable thing for a mother of young children.
But in the midst of Rachel’s pain, there are glimmers of hope radiating from these pages. Across the ten years ‘After�, Rachel’s journey is one of learning to find some semblance of acceptance - it is okay to love again, it is okay to have moments of happiness - because the world goes on, even though Rachel’s life has been changed forever. Rachel’s character is an example of the strength of the human spirit and what it means to survive.
An emotional, shocking, gripping story, so beautifully crafted. This is a book that will stay with me.
Thank you to the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
But in the midst of Rachel’s pain, there are glimmers of hope radiating from these pages. Across the ten years ‘After�, Rachel’s journey is one of learning to find some semblance of acceptance - it is okay to love again, it is okay to have moments of happiness - because the world goes on, even though Rachel’s life has been changed forever. Rachel’s character is an example of the strength of the human spirit and what it means to survive.
An emotional, shocking, gripping story, so beautifully crafted. This is a book that will stay with me.
Thank you to the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2025
Wow! This debut novel is one that will stay with me for a while.
I knew it was going to be emotional from reading the blurb, but I was not prepared for the opening chapters.
This novel explores a dual timeline; before and after a tragedy. It is a searingly honest, raw, portrayal of depression. The book beautifully captures coming to terms with grief and loss, and how the journey to heal is never linear.
The writing is extraordinarily beautiful; every word takes you right into the narrator’s mindset - you’re right there with her as she retraces her steps, wondering what, if anything she could have done differently.
This book really gets to grips with some difficult themes; child loss, mental health and grief. It’s not an easy or light read but it is so well written and impactful. But, it’s also a tale of hope and healing, and one I would recommend.
I knew it was going to be emotional from reading the blurb, but I was not prepared for the opening chapters.
This novel explores a dual timeline; before and after a tragedy. It is a searingly honest, raw, portrayal of depression. The book beautifully captures coming to terms with grief and loss, and how the journey to heal is never linear.
The writing is extraordinarily beautiful; every word takes you right into the narrator’s mindset - you’re right there with her as she retraces her steps, wondering what, if anything she could have done differently.
This book really gets to grips with some difficult themes; child loss, mental health and grief. It’s not an easy or light read but it is so well written and impactful. But, it’s also a tale of hope and healing, and one I would recommend.
February 18, 2025
Beautiful and a slow burner. The premise of this book is what initially intrigued me, but the writing is what kept me reading. I loved the dual timeline used to tell this story, it was the perfect delivery method to get across the trauma and guilt of the incident. Rachel was a great character, I was rooting for her happiness and found myself tearing up a few times at her inner monologue. This book is one of those that simmers in the background, I found myself returning to read it whenever I wanted a story that was steady with an underlying sense of hope.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #ShowMeWhereItHurts #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #ShowMeWhereItHurts #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 30, 2025
Imagine the worst thing that could possibly happen, then circle it, from well before to well after, to and fro, exploring the impacts, the early whispers of it, the fallout, to the beginning of healing but never forgetting years later. Using this method enables the reader to gain insight into various layers, a more nuanced and detailed understanding, so that when you move from one time to another you go with an appreciation of who those involved are and how the events came about, how they then echoed into the future. It’s well written and considered. However, I felt it lacked a little in terms of exploring and expressing deeper emotions and the appalling agony the main event would have created, hence giving it 4 rather than 5 stars.
January 25, 2025
Show Me Where It Hurts is a novel of devastation and survival after a life-changing loss. Gleeson's understated prose perfectly suits the honest, often confessional tone of the narrative. There are moments of real emotion, but I was expecting harder-hitting heartbreak. I think part of the problem is the pacing - while I enjoyed the way the sections of 'before' and 'after' are intertwined, some scenes felt far more vividly imagined than others, and the second half of the book seems to fall away from itself a little.
Affecting without affectation, Show Me Where It Hurts is an emotive debut.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
Affecting without affectation, Show Me Where It Hurts is an emotive debut.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
April 24, 2025
This book is just phenomenal. While the subject matter is so horrific there is still lightness and hope. Claire Gleeson's writing is so profound you become completely swept away by the story and immersed in it's characters in particular Rachel the main character. There was so many moments of raw emotion in the book, I found Rachel's interactions with her mother in law and her interaction with a kind GP just devastated me. While it's so so sad it still generated so much hope and sympathy towards people with mental health problems. A five star read for sure and one of my books of the year.
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