Dear Nobody by Berlie Doherty Essay

The novel is split between 2 points of view, a first-person narrative presenting the events as Chris recalls them in retrospect, interspersed with a series of earn from Helen to their unborn child ( cipher), telling her side of the story as she experiences it. The chassis sequence is set in autumn as Chris is on the border of leaving for Newcastle University. A parcel of letters is delivered for him, and he recognizes Helens handwriting. He begins to read the letters, all addressed to Dear Nobody, and they remind him of the bypast nine months. The subsequent chapter headings are all the names of months, beginning with January. Helen and Chris support love for the first, and only, time. Chris is prompted to ask his father about his marriage breakdown, and decides to get in touch with his receive. Shortly afterwards Helen begins to fear she is pregnant.Chris is disturbed by her conflicting behaviour. In late February she finally tells him her suspicions, and writes her first le tter to Dear Nobody Youre only a shadow. Youre only a verbalise Leave me alone. Go away. Go away. Please, please, go away. Later when a gestation test proves positive, she tries to abort the pregnancy by going riding, risking her life in a wild gallop, to no avail. In April, Helens mother finds out, and arranges for her to go to an abortion clinic. However, Helen decides to keep the baby. Mrs Garton refuses to have Chris in the house, but he and Helen act up to see each other. They visit Chriss mother in Carlisle. In June, Helen and Chris sit their A-levels.After they are over Helen tells Chris she has decided they should break up, believe it is best for both of them. Chris is bewildered, and feels bereft. To get away from all the memories in Sheffield, he goes to France with Tom. He meets a girl called Bryn, but cannot forget Helen. In September, Helen learns her mothers greatest secret that she is illegitimate, a great disgrace when she was growth up and finally begins to un derstand her. When her contractions start, she has a sudden impulse to dedicate her Dear Nobody letters to Chris. Chris finishes reading the letters, realizes the baby is coming and rushes to the hospital, where he meets his newborn daughter, Amy.