Lizzie Young: A Complex Heroine in Releasing 10

Overview

Lizzie Young is the protagonist of Releasing 10, the sixth book in Chloe Walsh’s Boys of Tommen series. She is a young woman grappling with selective mutism, early-onset bipolar disorder, and the aftermath of childhood sexual abuse. Lizzie’s journey is defined by her fierce intelligence, her fragmented sense of self, and her unwavering connection to Hugh Biggs, the boy who becomes her anchor. The narrative traces her from age three to her mid-teens, revealing a character who is both vulnerable and resilient, often misunderstood even by those closest to her.

Plot Role

Lizzie is the emotional core of the story. Her internal battles drive much of the tension, while her relationships—especially with Hugh—serve as the primary source of stability and conflict. Through flashbacks and present-day scenes, the novel explores how past trauma shapes her present behavior, from defensive outbursts to profound dissociation. Lizzie’s role is not merely that of a victim; she is also a protector, a loyal friend, and a fighter who pushes back against the “monsters” inside and outside her mind.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Lizzie’s primary motivation is survival—both physical and psychological. She seeks safety and normalcy, often by clinging to Hugh and her small circle of friends. Her actions reveal a deep well of loyalty; she bites a boy who pushes her friend Shannon, attacks bullies on the bus, and even bites Mr. Murphy to free Hugh (chapters 22, 28). Yet she also dissociates to endure abuse (chapter 30) and hides her self-harm (chapters 64, 76). Her intelligence is evident when she counts candles at age four (chapter 10) and later scores in the top five percent academically. Her distrust of doctors stems from a belief that they do not listen (chapter 76). Lizzie’s need to be believed is central: she desperately wants confirmation that her hallucinations are real and that her abuse is acknowledged—a validation Hugh provides (chapters 53, 64).

Chronological Arc

Lizzie’s arc moves from silent, misunderstood child to a young woman learning to trust and be vulnerable.

• Early childhood (1991–1993): Lizzie is selectively mute and prone to violent outbursts. Her family struggles; her sister Caoimhe resents her. She speaks for the first time at her fourth birthday (chapter 10), revealing she was always cognitively aware.
• Elementary years (1994–1996): She forms a deep bond with Hugh after his birthday party (chapters 25–28). Mark Allen begins grooming and abusing her (chapter 30). At age eight, she tries to “fix” Hugh’s groin, revealing her distorted understanding of touch (chapter 42). She attacks Caoimhe, screaming that the monster entered via her sister—an accusation the family dismisses.
• Diagnosis and treatment (1997–1999): Lizzie is hospitalized and diagnosed with early-onset bipolar disorder (chapter 44). She struggles with self-harm, suicidal ideation, and dissociation. Her therapy sessions show her concealing her true feelings (chapter 76). Hugh researches her condition and visits her daily, becoming her lifeline (chapter 77).
• Pre-teen/early teen (1999–2000): Lizzie and Hugh share their first kiss (chapter 84). She feels left behind academically and socially (chapter 121). The abuse and its aftermath continue to haunt her, but Hugh repeatedly promises to stay “no matter what” (chapter 98).

Relationships

Interpretation note: The relationship with Hugh is explicitly depicted as romantic and protective from childhood. The exact nature of Lizzie’s bond with Gibsie—whether he also suffered abuse—is hinted at but not fully confirmed by the evidence.

Key Decisions and Consequences

1. Speaking at age four: Lizzie decides to answer her family, ending her silence. This shift allows her to connect but does not resolve her underlying trauma.
2. Keeping Mark’s abuse secret: Lizzie and Gibsie pinky-promise not to tell. This decision isolates them and prolongs the abuse, but it also creates a powerful bond of shared survival.
3. Concealing her true feelings in therapy (chapter 76): Lizzie lies to her doctor, which delays effective treatment. It reflects her belief that adults cannot help her.
4. Using self-harm as a coping mechanism: The blade gives her temporary clarity but leaves permanent scars and deepens her cycle of shame.
5. Trusting Hugh completely: She allows him to pull her from a depressive episode (chapter 49) and agrees to his plan to run away together (chapter 113). This decision strengthens her ability to survive.

Theme and Symbol Connections

• Mental Health and Bipolar Disorder: Lizzie’s hospitalization and diagnosis are explicit. Her manic and depressive episodes, voice-hearing, and “scary lady” hallucinations align with the disorder. Interpretation: The author uses Lizzie’s subjective experience to illustrate the difficulty of distinguishing internal monsters from external ones. Learn more about the book’s portrayal of mental health.
• Childhood Sexual Abuse and Grooming: Mark’s manipulation, the “special medicine,” and Lizzie’s dissociation during abuse are clearly shown. Her later inability to “fix” Hugh by pulling down his shorts reveals the lasting damage. See the page on abuse themes.
• Grief and Loss: Lizzie navigates her mother’s cancer (an explicit plot point) and the eventual loss of her sister (implied by chapter 121’s mention of Caoimhe leaving “this world”). Grief compounds her instability. Read about grief themes.
• Loyalty and Sacrifice: Hugh’s daily visits, Gibsie’s pinky-promise, and Lizzie’s defense of Shannon all exemplify loyalty. Lizzie sacrifices her own well-being to protect others. Explore loyalty and sacrifice.
• Secrecy and Gaslighting: The family’s denial of Lizzie’s claims, Mark’s threats, and Lizzie’s own concealment of her pain are central. The “conceal, don’t feel” mantra (chapter 76) encapsulates this. Details on secrecy themes.

5 Book-Specific Questions and Answers

1. Why does Lizzie stop speaking as a young child?
   The novel does not supply a definitive cause, but her selective mutism is rooted in trauma—likely the early stages of abuse and mental illness. At age four she speaks, showing the mutism was a conscious withdrawal, not a physical inability.
2. What is the “scary lady” Lizzie sees?
   The story leaves this ambiguous. Hugh also sees her once (chapter 53), suggesting she may be a shared hallucination or a real figure. Interpretation: She could represent Lizzie’s internalized guilt or the predatory adult world.
3. Does Caoimhe know Mark is abusing Lizzie?
   Caoimhe is explicitly shown dismissing Lizzie’s claims about the “scary lady” and blaming her for family problems. Interpretation: Given her own relationship with Mark, it’s plausible she either does not know or chooses not to see. The book does not confirm Caoimhe’s awareness.
4. How does Hugh’s support differ from the adults’?
   Hugh believes Lizzie unconditionally, researches her disorder, and never tries to “fix” her. In contrast, doctors and parents focus on medication and control, which Lizzie resists. Hugh’s acceptance is the only intervention that consistently helps her.
5. What is the meaning of “Releasing 10” in relation to Lizzie?
   The title likely refers to the gradual release of her pent-up trauma, secrets, and emotions. Interpretation: Each chapter where Lizzie speaks or confides in Hugh is a “release” of the pressure building inside her for years.

For a full walkthrough of the novel’s ending and plot twists, see the ending explained page. If you have further questions, the questions and answers guide covers additional reader curiosities.

Return to the main book page for Releasing 10 for an overall summary, themes, and other character analyses.