A Constant StruggleC.I. Varan, the author of the novel Prisoner to the Past, reminds us that, more often than not, our past is filled with traumatic experiences that shape our choices and attitudes in the present.
In a novel of considerable length, we are introduced to the various anxieties the protagonist endures, constantly struggling to cope with life's challenges.
The past has left its merciless mark, building metaphorical walls in the subconscious of the main female character, within which she, as a prisoner, tries to piece together her day-to-day life.
There are moments when the past rushes back violently, stealing fragments of her present and tormenting her with nightmarish memories. This is vividly illustrated in a passage where Emma confides in the psychotherapist who helps her try to regain her balance:
"When the memory of that moment comes before my eyes, I feel the cold seeping into my bones, into my heart. [...]
What scares me the most is the satisfaction, the ease, and the sense of release that overwhelms me when his blood runs down my hands. When I feel the pulse of his heart weakening with every passing second. I can't tear my eyes away from his until I feel him grow limp in my arms, and the frenzy in his eyes stops vibrating. Only then do I let his lifeless body slip through my fingers. I watch him lie at my feet, no longer threatening or torturing me, and suddenly I feel warm and safe. Free."
Her terrifying past dictates a distorted behavior, one that is difficult to bring back to normal. She faces delicate situations and fights desperately to reclaim her stolen life.
The central idea of the novel is that love can heal even the most terrible traumas. After a long series of trials that life throws abundantly her way, the heroine finds peace alongside the man who managed to accept her, understand her, love her, and rebuild her, restoring her self-confidence.
The author spares no detail in depicting the entire recovery process, peppered with passionate scenes, described at length, making the novel recommended for readers aged 18 and over.
Life is a challenge full of surprises, often more dramatic than a movie, leaving you with the feeling that it wasn't really you who went through it. And how many of you haven't felt this at least once in your life?
C.I. Varan dedicates this book to her family and the man who has always been by her side and supported her in this endeavor.
Lastly, the author implicitly invites all readers who wish to experience a thrilling life story to pick up the book.
A perfect read for long winter evenings, with a cup of mulled wine with cinnamon to savor the world fully.Irina Constantinescu