Book review Mysha

Before She Was Helen - Mysha Macabuat

Introduction

"Before She Was Helen" is a mystery novel by Caroline B. Cooney, a well-known author best recognized for her young adult fiction. This novel, however, is targeted at an adult audience and explores themes of identity, secrets, and the unexpected ways our pasts can catch up with us. Set in a quiet retirement community in South Carolina, the story follows Clemmie Lakefield, who lives under the alias "Helen." What begins as a mundane day in her peaceful life quickly spirals into a thrilling tale of crime and hidden pasts.

Plot Summary

The novel opens with Clemmie, or "Helen" as her neighbors know her, living a quiet and seemingly uneventful life in a retirement community. Her days are filled with routine activities, and she is careful to keep a low profile. However, Clemmie’s carefully constructed life begins to unravel when she stumbles upon a crime scene in a neighbor’s home while checking on them.

This discovery triggers a series of events that bring Clemmie's hidden past to the forefront. The narrative shifts between her current life as "Helen" and her past life as Clemmie, revealing why she changed her identity. As the story unfolds, we learn that Clemmie has been hiding from a traumatic and dangerous past, one that involved deceit, fear, and a need for survival.

The present-day mystery deepens as Clemmie finds herself embroiled in a crime that she cannot escape without revealing her true identity. The tension builds as Clemmie tries to navigate the dangers of her current situation while keeping her past a secret. The novel expertly weaves together the two timelines, gradually revealing the full extent of Clemmie's past and the reasons behind her drastic life changes.

Character Analysis

Clemmie Lakefield, the protagonist, is a complex character whose life is defined by the secrets she keeps. She is resourceful, cautious, and deeply affected by her past experiences. Throughout the novel, her dual identity as both Clemmie and Helen highlights the theme of identity and how it can be shaped and reshaped by our experiences and choices.

The other characters in the retirement community serve as contrasts to Clemmie, with their seemingly normal and uneventful lives. However, as the plot progresses, it becomes clear that everyone has their own secrets, and the community is not as peaceful as it seems. This adds to the novel’s suspense and the sense that danger can lurk behind even the most ordinary facades.

Themes

The primary theme of "Before She Was Helen" is identity and the lengths to which people will go to protect or hide it. Clemmie’s transformation into Helen is a form of self-preservation, but it also raises questions about authenticity and the cost of living a lie.

Another significant theme is the impact of the past on the present. The novel illustrates how unresolved issues and unaddressed traumas can resurface, no matter how much effort is put into burying them. This theme is underscored by the dual narrative structure, which allows readers to see how Clemmie’s past choices directly influence her present predicament.

The novel also touches on the theme of community and how people’s perceptions of each other can be based on incomplete or false information. The seemingly peaceful retirement community serves as a microcosm of this idea, with its residents harboring secrets that contradict their outward appearances.

Personal Comments

The book maintained a slow pace for the beginning of the book, gradually building up tension until letting it out within the last 50 pages.  The slow unraveling of the multiple plotlines ultimately converged into a satisfying a well-crafted resolution. It is worth noting that the title and unfolding of the narrative strongly implied that Clemmie's past would make an impact on the current storyline. Yet, this connection never materialized, leaving readers with unmet expectations. Overall the past and the present did not have any link, making them feel like separate books entirely. 

Conclusion

"Before She Was Helen" is a compelling mystery that explores deep themes of identity, secrecy, and the enduring impact of the past. Caroline B. Cooney masterfully creates a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers engaged as the layers of Clemmie’s life are peeled back. The novel is a reminder that no one’s life is as simple as it seems, and that the choices we make can have far-reaching consequences..