This is the story of a lady who had a difficult life since childhood and her life is not any better now that she is in her thirties, but she is always ready to begin again hoping that things will get better. Alice is a voice over artist who has lived most of her child hood life in loneliness. Her parents were involved in many domestic fights and besides that her mother was always out of town for work related reasons. Her father on the other hand cared less and spent most of his time locked up in his study room. She learnt to mimic voices especially those of her mother and teachers in school. When growing up, she had aspired to become a journalist, but this never happened.
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She meets Clayton who is a television writer, when he moves into the town and occupies the house that was once inhabited by Alice and her parents. Alice at that time is working as a part time house cleaner and finds herself assigned this same house. She has even changed her name to Katya but her true person comes out before long. Since she was thirteen, Alice lived with her father, step mother and step siblings, after her mother's death. She related well with the family initially but this changed over time. She falls in love with her step brother and after they had sexual contact, he leaves her claiming that he was out of his mind in the first place. Her father and step mother on the other hand are having fights on an almost daily basis and as a result Alice also gets into fights with her step sister, Tasha since they are both taking sides. Rufus Alice's step brother brings home a new girlfriend, Isabel from college but she ends up being taken by his step father. From all these frustrations, Julia commits suicide, Alice's father moves to Chile with Isabel while Rufus and Tasha move to London and cut off communication with Alice.
Clayton too has had his share of uncertainties especially after his girlfriend, Stacy left him and hooked up with his colleague and friend Bazza. Clayton had always fancied having babies but Stacy was reserved about the idea asserting that she wouldn't be able to handle the mess that comes with babies. However now that she is dating Bazza and the two have become superstars in the entertainment industry, she announces on public television that they are intending to have not just a baby but a handful of them.
Alice is informed by George their long time neighbor that her father had come back looking for her but they could not trace her whereabouts. The next time she hears about her father is when she receives news about his death. Isabel also tries looking for her and as a result Alice comes to a conclusion that no matter how much she tries to have a new beginning her past is always trying to catch up with her. After hesitating for some time, she finally agrees to set up a meeting with Isabel but she isn't prepared for the news she is about to receive. Isabel informs her that they bore a daughter with her father eleven years ago and this means Alice has a sister. Alice feels like she had been a disappointment to her father but according to Isabel, her father was very proud of her.
The moment she feared most comes up when Clayton informs her that Rufus and Tasha are in town and they want to see her. She knows what they are here for. The new film she featured, The Queen of New Beginnings was expected to create a reaction in them since Alice tells her story in it. In as much she avoids telling lies she as well refrains from giving the whole truth something she knew would anger this pair. What meets her however is the pathetic appearance of the two, Rufus being tied to a wheel chair while Tasha doesn't seem to be doing well either. Clayton comes out in her defense and he keeps them from saying mean things to Alice hence their intention of bringing her down fail terribly. After this encounter, Alice feels like she has come to terms with her entire past and now resolves to give a new beginning another try by starting her own family.
Best part of story, including ending:
I like this story because it shows that family issues can be solved through forgiving. It is also an illustration of determination and perseverance in a life full of disappointments.
Best scene in story:
My favorite scene is when Alice impersonates a cleaner by the name Katya but is discovered. This is because is shows how difficult it can be to try and become someone else.
Opinion about the main character:
I like the fact that Alice welcomes Isabel and her daughter into her life despite the fact that Isabel ran of with her father and that was the last time she ever saw him.
