randombookswithmj 's review for:

The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey

4.25

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Published by @penguinrandomca and e-arc from @netgalley 

A dystopian read and a moral thriller — The Book of Guilt had me wondering what would happen from page one. 

 Chidgey masterfully plants seeds of mystery: why are Vincent, William, and Lawrence, the only children left in Sycamore home? Why are they there in the first place? Who is the mysterious girl they’re all dreaming about? There were so many questions swirling, and I was desperate for answers! 

Set in an alternate 1979 England, this story creeps into your psyche. A world shaped by strange post-war peace treaties, questionable research, and chilling ethical boundaries. It’s scary as Chidgey blends just enough real-world detail to ground her dystopia in the possible. That’s what makes it so unnerving—and so hard to put down.

You know me—I love a book you can travel with—and this one delivered. 📍New Forest and Margate, real places in the UK, serve as the backdrop. I had never even heard of them before, but now I have to visit. 

This novel doesn’t just entertain—it asks so many questions: What makes a person truly a person? When does research go too far? Nature vs. nurture—what shapes us more? Ethical dilemmas are the emotional engine here, and Chidgey doesn’t offer easy answers. 

Would I recommend it? Yes—but only to dystopian fiction fans. If you liked Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, you’ll appreciate this one.