Reviewed by Sonia

A story with powerful subject matter. Miranda’s Escape is the story of a woman’s final escape from a turbulent marriage.

The story flows well, and as a reader I could see the anger, and feel a mother’s love for her children.

However some inconsistent characterisation had me wondering why she stayed. Miranda is a strong woman who takes steps to leave, investigating possibilities, but never does - some actions hint at why, but we are left to wonder about much.

The conflict presented in largely external, subject matter this powerful could be enhanced through the use of internal monologue, more contemplation about the events and conflicting, emotions involved.

Miranda feels hate, she doesn’t want to hurt him, but she only feels hate, see longs for work to leave her children, she leaves Derek, she seems trapped by her children, but stays for them, this hints at ambivalence which isn’t develop, and this doesn’t quite work for me.

Despite this, the story is compelling, with a tragic conclusion, the subject matter will make everyone react differently, I encourage you to take the time to read this and contemplate what could have and what should have been.