Illusions

by Charlotte Vale Allen

Book Overview

"Illusions" provides an in-depth exploration of the victim/captor relationship that is sympathetic to both parties, allowing readers to see the lengths to which grief can sometimes take people.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689118910
• ISBN13: 9780689118913
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 289 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Intriguing Read...

Written in 1987, this book was like time travel. Once you get past the smoking everywhere (even on airplanes), it is an intriguing novel. It starts as an innocent conversation on a plane, and evolves into a nightmare. This book is not for the faint of heart, there are some rape scenes that are difficult to read. The end left me gasping, but not for the reasons you might suspect in a suspense novel. Read for yourself and see how you like the ending. In some ways I could make myself see it, but only by focusing on the main characters own deep psychological issues.

This Book is Not an Illusuon

Leigh Dunn,an illustrator of children's books, is flying to London to visit her father, from whom she has been estranged for years. Having survived the earlier loss of her husband and son, this trip was prompted by the recent death of her beloved stepson,Joel. On the plane she meets Daniel Goddard, a businessman. The two fall into a brief encounter in London,which is only that for Leigh, but is much more for Daniel. After returning to New York ,Leigh,still grieving for Joel and upset over her reunion with her father,cannot re-establish herself in her old life. Her mother, an author of romance novels, and her agent Miles try to encourage her, but she is unable to ,and a quarrel with her mother plunges her deeper into despair. In the meantime,Daniel is becomming obsessed with her and falling deeper into his obsession. Leigh slowly comes back to life,making amends with her mother, and falling in love with Miles. Just at a point where good things are happening to Leigh an unspeakable act by Daniel changes the course of everyones' life, almost destroying everyone.This leads to a very exciting ending. This is an earlier book,1987,of Charlotte Vale Allen's, but is as contemporary as today. As always,her characters have such dimension you feel that they really exist. Her story-line moves quickly forward, never missing a beat. Once started, this book is difficult to put down.

One of the best books I've EVER read!!!!

This book was like reading a dream. It drew me into the story like a magnet. The writing was mysterious, enigmatic. This is her first book I've read and I intend to read every book she's written. The sex scenes were well written and very true to life. The plot kept me guessing; I could not put this book down. A fabulous story which I highly recommend!