Seahorses are Real is a haunting tale of love and tragedy, highlighting the rare subject of domestic violence against men. This intense, beautifully-written novel is a moving human tale of how lovers can create and destroy each other's happiness.

Stori sy'n gymysgedd o serch a thrasiedi, gan ymdrin â thestun nad yw'n cael fawr o sylw, sef trais yn y cartref yn erbyn dynion. Dyma nofel ddwys sy'n adrodd sut y gall dau gariad greu a dinistrio hapusrwydd ei gilydd.

If I were in a reading group, Seahorses Are Real would be the next book I’d want to put on the list, because I suspect it would give rise to a rich and contentious debate, a debate that would doubtless be all the more heated if the group were mixed gender. It is a novel that portrays issues that arouse conflicting responses. I am reminded of the time when Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk about Kevin was first published. People who had read the novel and been troubled by it desperately wanted other people to read it so they could talk about it. Seahorses Are Real has a similar impact.

Marly has always suffered from depression but her mother’s death has sent it spiralling out of control. She hasn’t worked for two years and is being supported by David, her long-term partner. David entered the relationship knowing about Marly’s history of depression and wanting to help her. For all her faults, he worships at her feet. In return, he receives constant criticism and increasing abuse. But whenever he responds in self-defence, every time the worm turns, Marly shrinks into terror at the thought that he might abandon her. She feigns and fawns and makes it up with him, and determines to change . . .

Zillah Bethell’s intense, densely written narrative is unnerving in its portrayal of Marly’s overwrought mental states at both ends of the bipolar spectrum. The unpredictable highs and lows, the claustrophobia and hopelessness of depression are conveyed in acute and painful detail. Here is psychologist Dorothy Rowe’s infamous prison. Will Marly find the way out? Or, more importantly, does she want to?

I shall be fascinated to see how Zillah Bethell follows this powerful and disturbing debut.

Suzy Ceulan Hughes

It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.

Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.