Contents
Alicia Berenson’s Diary
Overview
Alicia’s diary records weeks of being watched by an unknown man, escalating fear, and growing conflict with Gabriel, who pushes her to see Dr. West. She secretly refuses medication, hides the diary, and moves Gabriel’s gun. After wrongly confronting Max, the entries culminate with the intruder entering the house.
These pages reframe the lead-up to Gabriel’s death, suggesting surveillance, mistrust, and premeditated self-protection rather than delusion.
Summary
Alicia notes a man repeatedly watching her home and following her in the park. A tense outing with Jean-Felix ends with his cryptic warning not to trust those around her, heightening Alicia’s suspicion. Gabriel grows skeptical and irritated when he fails to see any intruder, straining their relationship.
Seeking reassurance, Alicia confides in neighbor Barbie, who urges police involvement, but Alicia withholds details from Gabriel. Gabriel pressures Alicia to see Dr. West, who links her fears to a past breakdown and pushes medication. To preserve her marriage, Alicia agrees but secretly refuses the pills.
Alicia hides her diary under a floorboard and, fearing an attack, relocates Gabriel’s gun to a kitchen cupboard for quick access. Housebound and vigilant, she scans for the watcher, doubting her sanity when days pass without a sighting.
Forced to dine with Max, Alicia convinces herself he is the stalker, confronts him at the restaurant, and is rebuffed; his anger convinces her he is not involved. Back home, the fear returns.
On August 25, Alicia hears noises and sees movement outside. With Gabriel unreachable, she listens as the man tries doors and windows, then realizes he has entered the house, ending the diary in imminent danger.
Who Appears
- Alicia BerensonDiary author; believes she is being watched, clashes with Gabriel, refuses Dr. West’s meds, hides her diary, moves Gabriel’s gun, faces an intruder.
- GabrielAlicia’s husband; doubts her sightings, insists on Dr. West and medication, unknowingly observed as Alicia prepares for danger.
- Dr. WestPhysician; frames Alicia’s fears as recurrence of past paranoia, pressures medication, triggering her secret noncompliance.
- Jean-FelixFormer friend/gallery owner; warns Alicia not to trust people around her, intensifying her suspicion and isolation.
- MaxDinner companion; Alicia suspects him as the watcher and confronts him, but his denial and anger persuade her otherwise.
- Barbie HellmannNeighbor; takes Alicia’s fears seriously, urges police involvement, briefly comforts her with drinks.
- Unknown man/intruderPersistent watcher in cap and sunglasses; ultimately enters Alicia’s house on August 25.