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Cover of THE BOOK OF GUILT
4.38

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THE BOOK OF GUILT

by German conspirators in 1943\u003B since then, British scientists have had access to studies “of immense scientific value” made in “the camps,” as they are called with pointed vagueness. In 1979, this history is taught to 13\u002Dyear\u002Dold triplet brothers—mercurial William, softhearted Lawrence, and thoughtful, watchful Vincent, who narrates most of the book. They live in a group home for boys, part of the Sycamore Homes program established by the government in 1944 to raise parentless children. Doted on by a threesome of Morning, Afternoon, and Night mothers, taught from the encyclopedic Book of Knowledge (an actual publication) and in weekly ethics discussions, the Sycamore boys have had happy if isolated childhoods marred only by incessant sickliness. Those who recuperate from “the Bug” get to move to “the Big House in Margate,” which, according to the brochure, is a wonderful place next to an amusement park. Only the triplets still remain when a new Conservative government decides to discontinue the Sycamore program to cut costs. Soon the Prime Minister puts the well\u002Dmeaning but clueless Minister of Loneliness in charge of rehoming the triplets. But where? That these children have been part of a creepy scientific experiment is obvious early on, but one shocking, horrifying surprise follows another in what is, at its most basic, a cat\u002Dand\u002Dmouse thriller. Meanwhile, Chidgey forces readers to delve into moral questions concerning science (and by extension, technology), pragmatism, personal responsibility, and institutional evil. Then there’s the novel’s unavoidable, disquieting contemplation of just who is given equal right in any given society (including ours). Chidgey, a New Zealander, borrows elements from Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America and Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, but the character Vincent most resembles is Pinocchio. Broad themes and issues become deeply personal as his coming\u002Dof\u002Dage becomes a monumental struggle toward self\u002Ddiscovery."

Book Details

Publisher:German conspirators in
Published:1943-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781538774

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This psychological thriller plunges readers into the suffocating world of a teenager grappling with a life-altering secret, masterfully weaving suspense with the raw emotional turmoil of adolescence....

Our Review

This psychological thriller plunges readers into the suffocating world of a teenager grappling with a life-altering secret, masterfully weaving suspense with the raw emotional turmoil of adolescence. The narrative explores the corrosive nature of concealed guilt and the desperate measures taken to maintain a facade of normalcy, creating a tense and immersive reading experience that is both unsettling and deeply compelling.

What sets this story apart is its unflinching examination of morality under pressure, making it an ideal pick for young adult readers who appreciate complex characters and morally gray dilemmas. The book's relentless pacing and psychological depth will particularly resonate with fans of contemporary thrillers that prioritize emotional stakes alongside plot twists, leaving a lasting impression about the weight of our choices.

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