Fragments of Tess
A Shattered Mind Women’s Fiction
She’s clinging to a tenuous hope. But her endless river of despair could drown her last chance at freedom.
Tess Elliot lives in fear. Growing up on the Canadian prairie, the intelligent girl survived a traumatic near-death experience and a childhood rapist by leaving her body in times of pain and terror. And though she’s now a skilled doctor, the private loner constantly worries that her mind will fracture completely… giving away her secrets and ruining her life.
Gifted a holiday cruise to Alaska, an overjoyed Tess starts to truly relax for the first time in years as she finds acceptance and happiness with new friends. But her tentative feelings of control may still prove fragile enough to shatter…
Can her strong will save her from a world fading in and out of reality?
Striking a delicate balance between gut-wrenchingly sad and profoundly joyful moments, Marlene F. Cheng’s poetic prose reveals the emotional whirlpools created by multiple-personality disorder. And as you develop a deep bond with her characters, the intense realism of this tale will inspire you to cross invisible barriers and reach a more complete sense of self.
Fragments of Tess is a heartrending women’s literary fiction novel. If you like deeply flawed protagonists, honest depictions of mental illness, and hopeful silver linings, then you’ll love Marlene F. Cheng’s unraveling of truth.
What People Are Saying
“As an author of psychological literary fiction myself, writing about mental health, cultural awareness and philosophy, I look up to Marlene F. Cheng for the depth and eloquence with which she filled this brilliant work. I am sure every single one of my readers will love her novels.”
— Yuki Carlsson
Psychological Literary Fiction Author
“We often define a person by their disease. What makes "Fragments of Tess" wonderful is that it is a story of a sensitive, intelligent, and accomplished woman …… living with mental illness. It is story of someone worth knowing, and a persuasive book worth reading, as it reminds us that under the veil of mental illness, there is a person, A Life.”
— Amazon Reviewer
Amazon
“I can’t help but think, because of the explicit detail, that this story is, at least in part, autofiction. Or else, the author must have known Tess, intimately. Her story is painfully acute, deeply sad, riveting, and all engrossing. It brings awareness to Multiple-Personality Disorder that I could never have imagined. To help rid the stigma that surrounds mental illness, Tess’s story needs to reach a broad audience.”
— ML from Vancouver, BC.
A beta reader and severe critic during the early throes of Tess’s story becoming a book
“Shifting to Freedom is a wonderful tale, artfully recounting the struggles of Dr. Tess Elliot, from her childhood in the Canadian Prairies to her life as a surgical pathologist in Vancouver. The author has an easy and fluid style, vividly pulling the reader into the events and situations Tess experiences with an attention to detail that masterfully bring them to life. Glimpses into Tess’ childhood in the Prairies and her innate affinity with the “Indians” are particularly poignant. Events from Tess’ childhood are eclectically juxtaposed with glimpses into other aspects of her life, leading the reader through a unique experience seen through Tess’ eyes. The story is carefully crafted piece by piece, building to finally unveil a stunning mosaic which sheds some light on the pain, chaos and tragedy of mental illness.”
— DS from Vancouver
Amazon Reviewer
“I was gifted with a complimentary copy of "Fragments of Tess .. " to review. As a health care advocate, I found this story compelling in the details told by Tess, a surgical pathology professional and research lead. The anguish of her personal life, memories and fears help the reader understand how life's trauma can become deep disturbances. How many of us are suffering silently? And yet, this story is filled with love and kindness, both from Tess and in return from the many who's lives she touched.
I thank Marlene Cheng for bravely writing with such honesty in exposing the dark shadows of trauma, and showing us the light within each of us.”
— C. Bancroft
Amazon Reviewer
“A painful story highlighting a difficult issue, that of mental illness in general and of Multiple-Personality Disorder in particular. I read the book in a very short time because it’s difficult to put down and, if you’re like me, you’ll want to know what is going on, exactly.
The narrative jumps between episodes of the narrator’s life, but feels disjointed in some way; obviously the reader doesn’t expect a blow-by-blow account of every event in the life of the protagonist, but this feels as though some essential information isn’t there.
This isn’t bad writing, far from it and quite the opposite, indeed; there is a reason for the gaps, but it’s not for me to tell you why here. All will become clear, but you’ll need to read this excellent yet disturbing piece of work for yourself to find out.”