A review by serendipitysbooks
The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 Let's start with the positive. The Hypocrite is an examination of a father daughter relationship told through two timelines. In the first, we witness a family holiday where he spends most of the days dictating his new novel for his daughter to transcribe. In the second timeline, he is in the audience watching a performance of a play written by his daughter. He soon realises the play is based on that holiday and that he is not being portrayed in a favourable nor accurate (in his opinion) light. I really liked the structure and felt it was well-written. The characters weren't necessarily likable, but Hamya wrote them in such a way that I could understand their behaviours and motivations. Overall, it felt like a fresh take on some oft-explored topics such as memory, generational divides, and changing standards, especially when it comes to sexism and misogyny. 
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