Dreaming in Color

by Charlotte Vale Allen

When an abused wife seeks refuge from her husband in their home, Alma and Eva find that the woman's entrance into their house has begun to haunt their dreams and private thoughts and dredge up painful old memories. 20,000 first printing. $20,000 ad/promo.

Genres: Fiction

401 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Charlotte Vale-Allen was born in Toronto and lived in England from 1961 to 1964 where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Toronto briefly, performing as a singer and in cabaret revues until she emigrated to the United States in 1966.

Shortly after her marriage to Walter Allen in 1970 she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals for Warner Books, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print.

Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by the editors who read it. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published.

One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 30+ novels, Ms. Allen's books have been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages.

In her writing she tries to deal with issues confronting women, being informative while at the same time offering a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real, to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them."

A film buff and an amateur photographer, Allen enjoys foreign travel. She finds cooking and needlework therapeutic, and is a compulsive player of computer Solitaire. The mother of an adult daughter, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.

Reviews

[Carlene Doan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Called out emotions and empathy for the characters. Makes you look at others and their life experiences. Althouh it is fiction a lot of these experiences probably occur more often in life than we would like to think. Makes you more aware of the trials and tribulations that a lot of people you see on the street every day.

[The Salty Heifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a hard one for me. Because of being a survivor of a domestic abuse like in this book it didn't start until after my daughter was born. And in some twisted way thought I deserved by not doing as I was told to do. I suffered in silence for 5 long years he hid the bruises and trips to the doctors so no one caught on and I didn't say anything out of embarrassment that I couldn't take care of my family right that I had to be punished. When I looked into my exhusband eyes that last fight I knew if I didn't run he would kill me. I ran for 6 years. I'm so much happier and am proud how far I have come. I can now look back and not be utterly terrified and be able to relate to books that would have once scared the daylights out of me or simply burst into tears. 5 years married to a silent monster took me 5 years of therapy to relearn healthy behavior if you are in a situation like this or even think someone your with has any of these issues run now it won't go away or get better until act just leave.

[Maris Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book ages ago, either at a library sale or a used bookstore. Finally decided to read it and could hardly put it down. Charlotte Vale Allen—-an author I’d not read before, but will seek out more of her books—-paints a story of the horrors that domestic violence creates, not only in the lives of those going through it, but those around them. Her characters are complex, the story moves along, told in different characters’ points of view, and the conclusion is satisfying. Highly recommend!

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason the whole plot and characters just didn't work for me. The writing was OK but nothing ever leaped out at me. The themes are important and moving, so it's odd that I never felt very connected to any of the characters. Maybe an OK beach read.

[Jo Doolittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I've read by this author. Would like to read more of her work.

[Stacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters' interactions in this book. It really does bring insight into an abused woman's life.

[McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful depth of characters. An ending I wasn't entirely expecting, but it was good read. One I craved to finish.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three women come together to form a bond and face their pasts.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have used more meat.
I don't regret reading it though.

[JoAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of three women. Bobby is a battered and sexually abused wife. She decides that she and her six year old daughter, Penny, need to leave home because her husband has started hitting Penny. She drives to Connecticut and finds a job working for Eva. Bobby takes care of Eva's Aunt Alma, who had a stroke on her left side. Bobby and Penny grow to love Alma very quickly. Eva is a little different. She is a long time widow with a college age daughter. She is a writer. Eva has a hard time with Bobby because she remembers her friend Deborah who was also a battered wife. Will these women be able to get along and help each other?

I liked this story. Bobby's story was very sad. It was wonderful to see her fit right in at Alma's house and have a loving relationship with her. She grows so much by being away from her husband.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an intriguing read! Starkly honest in the descriptions of 'wife battering'.

From back cover:

"Bobby Salton is a woman on the run. With her six-year-old daughter, she finds refuge in a rambling house on the Connecticut shore.

Hired as a live-in companion to Alma Ogilvie, Bobby helps the retired headmistress regain her independence. But Bobby's battered appearance also has a startling effect, especially on Eva Rule, Alma's niece, a successful author.

Three very different women grapple with dreams of haunted pasts, and yet form a tenuous bond. Just as they begin to look to the future, the past catches up with them in a violent climax that threatens everything they have come to trust."

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book - couldn't put it down. Deals with severe abuse.

Back Cover Blurb:
Three women - one in flight from a bad marriage, one depressed by age and illness, one without a purpose in life - meet along the shores of Connecticut and form a tenuous bond that is soon put to the test.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much repetition in the story line. The book is from the point of view of several characters. One character is just plain boring. The book would have been better off without her and lost none of its impact.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, you can tell the author has lived thru some of her own horrors of abuse. She also added material in the back of the book in case someone you know is in an abusive relationship...excellent read...

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Images of the mental pictures created while reading this book have remained with me for a long time...

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far so good. A little dark but an interesting take on how a family can be formed through strangers. It is set in CT too.

[Jill Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

CVA is my favorite author.....her characters are intensely real, and are always striving to learn and grow. I find a bit of myself in every one of her characters.

[Coraline · Rating 3 out of 5]

cools in a non-porn kinda way not very individual or stimulating but worth a whack anyway

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the characters.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book very much. Ke

[Nina Draganova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Въздейства ми силно тази книга. Стила е малко остарял, но иначе е увлекателна. Тази авторка се оказа добра. Но има много тъга и напрежение в историите й.

[Helenia Quince · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one :)

[Alexandra Borgmann]

I think I outgrew this genre of books. I didn't finish it because I wasn't enjoying it.

[Saleh MoonWalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onvan : Dreaming in Color - Nevisande : Charlotte Vale Allen - ISBN : 385419457 - ISBN13 : 9780385419451 - Dar 401 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 1993

[stillme · Rating 2 out of 5]

fairly predictable