Meredith, Alone is one of those stories that gives you hope. It’s a book that makes you want to hug the main character when you reach the end.
There’s not a very original premise – traumatized woman with a big heart learns to take steps outside of her comfort zones, both literally and figuratively – but author Claire Alexander creates a main character that you’re cheering for the entire time you’re reading.
What’s Meredith, Alone about?
As one might expect from the title, Meredith, Alone is about a woman named Meredith who spends a lot of time, well, alone. Meredith doesn’t leave the house. Ever. The idea of leaving the house completely overwhelms her. When we meet her in the novel, she hasn’t left her house in a few years.
While Meredith manages to have a pretty full life behind closed doors – a steady job, people who visit her, plenty of time for her hobbies – she realizes she can’t hide from the world forever. And that’s when things start to get interesting.
What I loved about Meredith, Alone
I’m a sucker for stories about “found family,” à la A Man Called Ove. The friendships Meredith develops with Tom and Celeste are really heartwarming; I love how these new friends challenge and nurture her sensitivities.
There is actual “blood” family, and they play an integral part to Meredith’s self-imposed isolation. The backstory with Meredith’s mother and sister is really powerful, and it’s what drives a lot of what’s haunting Meredith.
Amidst all this emotional growth is lots of baking and kitty snuggles. All good things!
Some (spoiler-free) trigger warnings:
A lot of book reviews for Meredith Alone mention they cried throughout this novel. Meredith’s story is powerful and emotional, but it didn’t make me cry. However, our leading lady is dealing with lot of ish, and that’s enough to bring anyone to tears.
I laughed a good amount, I got a little angry at some points, but I mostly enjoyed seeing what Meredith was doing. She’s an extremely sweet, lovable character who’s easy to identify with, whether or not you’re agoraphobic.
Does Fred the cat die in Meredith, Alone?
Okay, here’s a slight spoiler for all us animal lovers out there: Meredith’s cat, Fred, does not die. THANK GAWD. (If you’re not glad to know that, please never read my blog again.)
I was terrified the entire book that something would happen to Fred. He is a huge part of Meredith’s life; he’s basically her emotional support animal. My heart just couldn’t take if she were left without him.
I mean, for Meredith’s sake, of course. (I’m not crying; you’re crying.)
Thank goodness, Fred made it through Meredith Alone unscathed.
Should you read Meredith, Alone?
You should read Meredith, Alone if you love heart-warming books like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Lost for Words Bookshop. There’s nothing wonderfully unique to recommend Meredith, Alone, but the characters that author Alexander creates are real and engaging, and the story behind Meredith’s past is interesting enough to keep you reading when other parts of the story feel a little familiar.
What’s the book-inspired recipe for Meredith, Alone?
Check back in for the book-inspired recipe: Small Chocolate Cake with Whipped Ganache.
