A review by serendipitysbooks
The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Catherine Chidgey has done it again. A really well-written, compelling story, very different plot wise from any of her previous books that I've read, and which I've ended up really enjoying, despite being a little hesitant going in, unsure whether it would be a good match for me as a reader. It's set in an alternate version of England, 1979, and follows triplet brothers, Vincent, Laurence, and William,  who are being raised by three mothers as part of the government's Sycamore Scheme. What starts off as quirky and slightly creepy - the boys are teenagers but dress in a colour coded manner and must relay all their dreams each morning so they can be written down, as are all their misdeeds in the Book of Guilt (the book's title could refer to this but I feel it is designed to be broader and more metaphorical) - becomes darker and more disturbing as the book progresses. It really is a  commentary on the worst of humanity, individually and collectively, in general and some specific aspects in particular; a world where some lives are valued more highly than others,  and some are not valued at all. Suffice to say there are three innocent boys being used, misused and abused by the state, while others judge them and try to punish them for things they have no control over. To say more would veer into spoiler territory, but there is so much in this book that is ripe for discussion, making it a perfect book club pick. Chidgey's atmosphere and pacing are perfection. The way she slowly drip fed crucial details about the boys and the Sycamore Scheme was masterful. I also admire the way she wove together various threads, including the mysterious and potentially horrific plotline involving Nancy, and  another involving the Minister of Loneliness. Brilliant social critique in an unsettingly realistic dystopian package. If you're not discomfited, I'd argue you've missed the point.
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