A Perfect Home by Kitty Glanville ticked a lot of boxes for me. I enjoyed reading the book and many women will relate to the story that enfolds. The main characters are deftly woven into the story and building up a cast, that in turn bully, support and love Claire. The overbearing and stifling husband, the supportive friend and horrible mother-in-law, could be stereo typical, but are written with a delicacy that reminds you of characters in your own life. Claire struggles with the stability that her marriage provides and the loyalty she feels she owes her repressed and distracted husband, whilst craving love and true understanding.
The themes centre around repression, frustration, vanity, compromise, betrayal, awakening and redemption. The book reminds us that, whilst trying to create A Perfect Home, possessions and status should never replace real love and family. Ultimately, the love affair Claire writes about is not with Stefan but with herself. Until she learnt to believe in herself was she ready to turn to others and walk towards a better future.
