The Girl in the Book 2015

As Alice Harvey (28), an aspiring writer and assistant book editor, grapples with the re-release of Milan Daneker’s thought-provoking novel Waking Eyes, she finds herself entwined in a tangled web of memories and emotions. The past comes flooding back as she confronts the complex relationships that have defined her life thus far. Her father, a powerful literary agent with an overbearing presence, has long been a thorn in Alice’s side, while her mother remains subservient to his will.

Alice’s formative years were marked by encounters with Milan Daneker, whose guidance she sought as a 13-year-old writer-in-the-making. Their mentorship blossomed into a romantic connection that left an indelible mark on Alice’s psyche. As the memories of their time together resurface, so too do feelings of vulnerability and uncertainty.

In the present day, Alice is forced to confront her past once more as she works tirelessly on promoting Milan’s re-released book. Her boss, Jack, pushes her to interact with Milan again, triggering a series of disorienting flashbacks that threaten to upend her carefully constructed sense of reality.

As Alice navigates this emotional minefield, she finds solace in the company of her best friend Sadie, who throws her a surprise 29th birthday party. It is here that Alice meets Emmett Grant, a charismatic political activist with whom she begins a romantic connection.

However, as Alice delves deeper into the promotion of Milan’s book, she becomes increasingly disconnected from her own writing pursuits and eventually drops out of her writing class, feeling stifled by the suggestion to try again another time. At work, her frustrations mount as Jack continues to ignore her pleas to share his attention with author Karen Malone’s manuscript.

Alice’s father, ever the manipulative force in her life, becomes embroiled in the situation when he “helps” Alice get Karen a meeting with Jack. The closed-door discussion that ensues leaves Alice feeling betrayed and excluded, prompting her to storm out of the office in a blaze of indignation.

As Alice arrives at Sadie’s apartment, only to find her absent and her babysitter Keith holding court instead, the scene is set for a tangled web of deceit. The revelation that Keith has been assigned to read “Waking Eyes” in class sparks a momentary lapse in judgment, leading to a fleeting encounter that ultimately ends in catastrophic consequences. Sadie’s unexpected return home cuts short Alice’s guilty pleasure, resulting in her being unceremoniously ejected from the premises.

As the fallout continues to unfold, Alice becomes increasingly withdrawn, ignoring Emmett’s desperate attempts to reconnect. Her only solace comes from observing Milan’s television interview, where he attributes the success of “Waking Eyes” to its relatability and ability to capture the essence of adolescence. But as a flashback reveals, Milan’s words are laced with deceit, having exploited Alice’s creative output and emotional vulnerability.

Meanwhile, Emmett’s patience wears thin as Alice confesses her regrettable tryst with Keith. The emotional toll exacted by this betrayal is compounded when she seeks solace in a fleeting encounter at the bar, only to awaken to the harsh realities of her actions. A poignant flashback showcases Milan’s predatory nature, as he manipulates and exploits Alice’s trust.

As Alice confronts Emmett about her insecurities, her sense of self-worth hangs precariously in the balance. Her desire for validation is tempered by the realization that she may not be enough to inspire devotion. Emmett’s candid assessment that he could potentially do better only serves to deepen Alice’s despair.

In a bid to win Emmett back and reclaim their connection, Alice pens a heartfelt blog post, detailing 100 reasons why he should give her another chance. This cathartic exercise ultimately sets the stage for a fragile reconciliation between Alice and Sadie, as they begin to mend their friendship and confront the challenges that have driven them apart.

As the newly released edition of Waking Eyes hits shelves, Alice is stunned to discover a sudden dedication that seems to be directed straight at her. Flashbacks reveal a momentous occasion at a book signing where Milan’s reading aloud finally prompted Alice to realize he had brazenly pilfered her work, verbatim in some cases, and woven in intimate details from their compromised relationship. Gathering the courage to confide in her mother about the ordeal, Alice is left reeling when her father casually brings up the same topic during a car ride home with her parents following the book signing. Her father shares that he had confronted Milan about it, only to have him vehemently deny any wrongdoing, and his mother’s reassurances that Alice may have misinterpreted their interaction or simply harbored an unrequited crush on the author.

Meanwhile, Emmett stumbles upon the incriminating blog post, his empathy sparked. After rekindling with Alice at her apartment, they reaffirm their bond. Opting to skip the book’s re-release party, Alice chooses instead to spend time with Emmett, sidestepping the potentially awkward encounter. At their gathering, Emmett inquires if she is indeed the protagonist of the book, prompting a poignant response: “Not anymore.”