Through The Wall By Caroline Corcoran

This novel is one of those quick, easy to read thrillers that you can spend a gripping few hours with one afternoon. It hinges on the modern dilemma of being connected to the whole world but not being connected to the people who live closest to us - our neighbours. It also features two heroines dealing with problems central to women’s lives in the 21st Century: fertility problems and recovering from domestic abuse. Harriet and Lexie share a wall, but have up till now, never been in contact with one another. Their impressions of each other’s lives are based around snatches of music and conversation heard through the wall. 

Lexie lives with her boyfriend Tom and has recently begun working freelance from their flat while they are also trying to start a family. Lexie has had one miscarriage and since then hasn’t conceived, despite trying for two years. Alone all day, Lexie seems to be sinking into depression. She’s staying in pyjamas all day, staying indoors and only connecting with people via social media. She envies the life of her successful and outgoing neighbour Harriet who is a composer for musicals.

Harriet lives alone since the breakdown of her relationship with her fiancé Luke. She seems to have no close friends and holds parties to have company when she comes home, but often doesn’t know the guests well. There is a hint that she has spent some time in hospital after becoming the sort of person who does bad things. This hint becomes stronger as the novel continues and we realise Harriet has been seriously mentally ill following the breakdown of her relationship with Luke. She becomes jealous of Lexie after hearing her through the wall. She sees that Lexie has friends, and also a very settled relationship with Tom where they watch films together on the couch in the evening. When Harriet sees Tom in the corridor she sees a resemblance to Luke and decides to find a way of making contact with him. Then when she hears the couple arguing through the wall, she discovers their fertility problems and sees an opening that she can exploit. 

Both of these women are portrayed as mentally unwell and Harriet, described as psychopath and sociopath, is the stereotypical mentally ill person following a dangerous obsession out of control. Lexie is seriously depressed and suffering the grief of losing her first baby and I don’t think this is given equal weight in the novel. We are made to feel sympathy for Lexie, but not for Harriet who has been a victim of domestic abuse. As Harriet’s story unfolds we get hints of emotional abuse from Luke: keeping her on edge, gaslighting her, making observations about her behaviour and character that are not true until she isn’t even sure who she is anymore. This seems to be the trigger for her obsessive and dangerous behaviour and it is Tom’s resemblance to Luke that seems to be a trigger. 

Both women struggle with behaviour I see a lot from young women in my counselling room. They have either left behind or isolated themselves from real friends and family, and seem to be conducting their interactions with others solely from social media. Lexie in particular is haunted by old friends flaunting fairy tale marriages and pregnancy, without wondering if they are portraying their lives accurately. I tell clients the old adage that ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ and this advice would certainly change the outcomes here. Harriet thinks Lexie is living in the perfect relationship and doesn’t appreciate Tom. Lexie thinks Harriet is a proper grown-up with an exciting job and loads of friends. If either of them actually spoke to each other they would know differently. When Lexie makes real contact with friends on a night out and is honest about being depressed over their fertility problems a friend is able to empathise. She too has been struggling to have a baby, and they can share their feelings. Afterwards, Lexie feels much better and it is clear that both would benefit from spending time in the real world, being open and allowing those close by to support them. Harriet has slowly isolated herself as friends and family showed their doubts about Luke. This is classic abuser’s behaviour and means Harriet is alone, with only Luke as company, leaving her easier to abuse. 

I would liken the novel as fast food, as opposed to fine dining. It is quick, tasty and enjoyable, but not exactly memorable. It is perfect for those times when you want a page turner you can devour in a weekend.