'A true-crime story that reads like a thriller'
This book was so fascinating. After reading many reviews and reading this for myself, I have quite a lot to say.
Firstly, I think that a lot of my feelings of this book come from my psychology graduate background.
Mark is a compulsive liar and professional fraudster, but his actions have had a devastating impact on Carolyn, not just financially, but emotionally and psychologically too.
From an outsiders perspective it's easy for us to say 'How and why would you fall for such extravagant lies?'. His borrowing of over £750000 and his supposed job with MI6 are major red flags, yes, but hes a clever man and that's shown by his ability to drag so many people into his web.
I agree in part that Carolyn may appear self absorbed or arrogant. But to me, I feel heartache and betrayal. I believe that she wrote this book mostly for herself, to remind herself who she is and find some comfort within herself again.
She even jokes to Mark about how nice it is to be asked out, and get some attention. This is what pulled her into Mark, he manipulated her into feeling comfort with him when he gave her that affection. It's human nature, we can state we are strong and independent, but ultimate we all crave to be loved.
Overall this book was a truly fascinating and eye opening read. I'm glad Carolyn got to tell her whole story, and raise awareness of the power Gaslighting can have over someone.
I'm sure Carolyn enjoyed the high life that she got a taste of (wouldn't we all?) but I do think that I would have probably drew the line after his rude encounter with her family - but who knows how we would really have reacted in that situation if it did happen.
This book was so fascinating. After reading many reviews and reading this for myself, I have quite a lot to say.
Firstly, I think that a lot of my feelings of this book come from my psychology graduate background.
Mark is a compulsive liar and professional fraudster, but his actions have had a devastating impact on Carolyn, not just financially, but emotionally and psychologically too.
From an outsiders perspective it's easy for us to say 'How and why would you fall for such extravagant lies?'. His borrowing of over £750000 and his supposed job with MI6 are major red flags, yes, but hes a clever man and that's shown by his ability to drag so many people into his web.
I agree in part that Carolyn may appear self absorbed or arrogant. But to me, I feel heartache and betrayal. I believe that she wrote this book mostly for herself, to remind herself who she is and find some comfort within herself again.
She even jokes to Mark about how nice it is to be asked out, and get some attention. This is what pulled her into Mark, he manipulated her into feeling comfort with him when he gave her that affection. It's human nature, we can state we are strong and independent, but ultimate we all crave to be loved.
Overall this book was a truly fascinating and eye opening read. I'm glad Carolyn got to tell her whole story, and raise awareness of the power Gaslighting can have over someone.
I'm sure Carolyn enjoyed the high life that she got a taste of (wouldn't we all?) but I do think that I would have probably drew the line after his rude encounter with her family - but who knows how we would really have reacted in that situation if it did happen.