A review by mishjordn
Penance by Eliza Clark

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

The story makes you forget that it’s fiction. I was so engrossed in the world of the book and left me wanting more. I really enjoyed the format of this book as a series of interviews and even the context of the town and history which made it feel so real. I think this books touches on the ethics of true crime: what draws the line between casual morbid curiosity and disturbing interests and behavior? I think the most interesting point of the story was illustrating the proximity of online communities. That essentially online spaces create the illusion of closeness and thus the ability to fuel ideologies in community members. However, these communities only live in a “thought” space where offering help is nearly impossible regarding anything else than the exchange of knowledge and judgement. Overall, this book was so interesting and written in a very intriguing way, especially including 2014-2016 tumblr era and its influence on teenagers. This is a book I will think about for a long time.