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A review by robosquid
Everything Is Lies by Helen Callaghan
5.0
I loved this psychological thriller about a young London architect (Sophia) who receives a phone call from her mum (Nina) while out drinking with colleagues one Friday night. She drives down the following morning to find her mum dead and her dad close to death. She soon discovers some of Nina's journals which detail a surprising and disturbing tale of a charismatic rock star / cult leader, his devoted followers, a death and all its repercussions.
The book follows two timelines - Sophia's today and her mother's story from the 1980's. Both parts were equally riveting. I really loved the author's style of writing, so much so that I found myself re-reading and highlighting bits because they were so enjoyable and visual:
"...a deeply lined forehead, as though it had been built out of flesh-coloured bricks and the mortar had worn away over time."
The 1980s journals were frustrating because the reader can clearly see all the mistakes that Nina is making and how she falls for the bullying and manipulative behaviour of the cult leader. Having said that, there are some interesting parallels between this and the behaviour of the firm of architects that Sophia works for - the hours demanded, the drinking expected, the bullying behaviour of the partners and colleagues, and the not-so-subtle reminders about the terms of her contract.
The book had a surprising yet satisfying ending with loose ends tied up. Thoroughly recommended!
The book follows two timelines - Sophia's today and her mother's story from the 1980's. Both parts were equally riveting. I really loved the author's style of writing, so much so that I found myself re-reading and highlighting bits because they were so enjoyable and visual:
"...a deeply lined forehead, as though it had been built out of flesh-coloured bricks and the mortar had worn away over time."
The 1980s journals were frustrating because the reader can clearly see all the mistakes that Nina is making and how she falls for the bullying and manipulative behaviour of the cult leader. Having said that, there are some interesting parallels between this and the behaviour of the firm of architects that Sophia works for - the hours demanded, the drinking expected, the bullying behaviour of the partners and colleagues, and the not-so-subtle reminders about the terms of her contract.
The book had a surprising yet satisfying ending with loose ends tied up. Thoroughly recommended!