A Review By Keith Smith

I must admit I hadn’t read any Salley Vickers before, so didn’t really know what to expect. What I found was that this was exceptionally good writing, and I really enjoyed the book. so much so that I am taking a couple more of her books away on holiday this week.

The book centres around the relationship of a psychiatrist Dr David McBride and one of his patients Elizabeth Cruikshank who is admitted to his care after attempting suicide. There are wonderful cameos of other characters whom we get to know quite well, so good is the writing, but at the book’s heart is how the two main characters learn from each other to fill the big holes in their lives which have been left by devastating deaths. Their real communication starts when they discover a mutual interest in and liking for Caravaggio, and indeed the painter and his work also become a real presence in the unfolding story.

‘The Other Side Of You’ has real depth, but at the same time it is a real page-turner. Just a great pity about the awful new covers which in no way reflect the quality of what is inside! Highly recommended….