Sanctuary

Lisa Appignanesi's books are always steeped in the psychology of her characters and far less interested in the histrionics of the crime. Sanctuary is an all too painful reflection on how little we really know our best friends, not to mention ourselves, and how deeply affected we are by events in our past - no matter how hard we try to bury and forget them. A friend goes missing, which sends New York artist Leo Holland off to London to find Isabel Morgan. But finding Isabel is more about exploring the psychological journey Isabel has taken over the past months than tracing the physical movement of the character. We trace Isabel's steps as we trace her visits to multiple analysts in London and her awakening and fixation over finding her lost father. Once presumed dead, Isabel's father surfaces, and the London based author embarks on a journey of discovery - finding out who he is and where he is. All with fatal results. All traces of Isabel's physical journey seem to have been erased - but exploring the psyche leads Leo Holland into a world of legitimate and not so legitimate analysts and clinics. Finding Isabel always seems to be on the fringe of possibilities - but finding out the causes of her journey and disappearance is what this book is all about. In an effort to get behind the screen of "Doctor-Patient Confidentiality", Leo puts herself on the analysts' couches, and finds out things about herself, as well as her friend's demons. At times, it becomes difficult to separate her own fears from those that haunted Isabel. There is a secondary structure to this book, which is the case notes that one of the books analysts makes about the patient. Each of the major sections of the book starts with the doctor's case notes that relate to this period in Isabel's analysis. Through out the book we see events and psyche through Leo's eyes; the case notes give us a different perspective. Lisa Appignanesi's books never move with blazing speed. Rather they are steeped in careful exploration of mind and character. This is as good a book as I have read by this author. Well worth the time and effort.