Hands down, one of the biggest mind twist books I have ever read. Twist isn’t a strong enough word, but I try not to swear (too much) in this blog. You know which word I am talking about. I don’t even know where to start with this book because it would be so easy to give something away.
And this is a book that definitely needs to be experienced by the reader “as is” without hints or spoilers. I’ll try to be careful.
To say that it is a convoluted plot isn’t fair, because it is actually fairly straightforward. The confusion comes from whether or not the narrator is reliable. And that, my readers, is the million-dollar question.
Is Sarah really mentally ill? Is her twin, Evie, as compassionate as she seems? What part does Lewis play? Is anyone telling the truth in this book at all?
Again, you’ll have to read it to find out. I will say that the author did an admirable job of handling mental illness and exploring the nature of people – does anyone know what is truly in the hearts of the people they love the most? (Hint: they don’t).
I did think that the story started out a bit slow because there was a LOT of detail, including a lot of inner monologues. When you have an unreliable narrator, that can be difficult to wade through. But it is essential, because once you reach a certain point in the plot, you will be glad that you have all of that information.
In spite of the slower set-up, the book really takes off and the last third is filled with all kinds of twists and revelations and “OMG” moments. I guarantee you will be questioning what you thought over the first part of the book.
Okay, I’m going to dig myself into a hole here so I’m going to stop. If you like being off-balance for an entire book, let yourself be absorbed by this one. Sometimes it’s necessary to be immersed in something else, no matter how many tricks it plays on your mind.
About Jane Renshaw
As a child, Jane spent a lot of time in elaborate Lego worlds populated by tiny plastic animals and people. Crime levels were high, especially after the Dragon brothers set themselves up as vets and started murdering the animals in their ‘care’. (They got away with it by propping the victims up with Plasticine and pretending they were still alive…)
As an adult, she is still playing in imaginary worlds and putting her characters through hell – but now she can call it ‘writing’ and convince herself that she is doing something sensible. In real life, she has a PhD in genetics and copy-edits scientific and medical journals.
Jane is the author of Watch Over Me. THE CHILD WHO NEVER WAS will be her second novel published with Inkubator Books.
Thanks so much x
What a great review! And I’m very impressed that you managed to convey so much without giving anything away. Thank you!
Thank you! I’m a stickler for spoilers, so I’m very careful. Really enjoyed it, and look forward to the next one.
Great review. 🙂 I loved this book, too. I agree reading a book with an unreliable narrator can be challenging, but Renshaw made the effort worth it.
That’s well put. I’m glad there was a payoff to it, and not just unreliability!