“The problem with books is that they end. They seduce you. They spread their legs to you and pull you inside. And you go deep and leave your possessions and your ties to the world at the door and you like it inside and you don't want for your possessions or your ties and then, the book evaporates.”
― Caroline Kepnes, You
I've never read a book quite like 'You' by Caroline Kepnes. It's a thriller that is chilling to the bone and I think what was unsettling to me was how the narrative was told. The book is set in first person, following handsome, smart and pretentious Joe Goldberg; a bookstore owner in New York city who becomes completely and utterly infatuated and obsessed with Bec, an unlucky girl who happened to stumble into his bookshop. Joe will do anything to be the main center of attention in her life, having complete access to her social media and emails, while also possibly attacking people who get in the way of his happy ending with the love of his life.
The first person storytelling is what really makes this book unique, Joe's thoughts are not only completely captivating to read but its also scary to find yourself sometimes siding with him, finding yourself falling for his charm, finding yourself being manipulated. It stumped me how there were times I found myself understanding his insane ways of justifying what he was doing. It was completely fascinating to me to really be able to get inside his head and see this character brought to life.
Caroline Kepnes' writing style has to be commended, the characterization of not just Joe and Bec, but also Peach, Channa and Blythe was so detailed and felt so real to me. It felt as if I really knew these people. I found myself truly submerged in the story and it has been a very long time since a book has done that to me.
It was also alarming to see how big social media had a role in Bec's life. How a tweet here or there can open you up to vulnerability and people being able to use that information to take advantage of you. Kepnes' use of social media was a reminder of the big brother system in 1984 by George Orwell, it carefully depicted what is happening in our everyday lives. It depicted how we open ourselves up to complete strangers online, ultimately making us bait for people like Joe to attack.
The novel had me hooked, it was so interesting to see the lengths that Joe would take to be with Bec. Not only was it creepy and completely terrifying, it was so peculiar to see the thoughts of a predator. The in-depth look at how Joe thought and his relationship to Bec was what completely sold me and what left me wanting more. It was a perfect balance of seduction, darkness, and terror; I can see why this book is turning into a tv show so far starring Penn Badgley as Joe, Shay Mitchell as Peach and Elizabeth Lail as Bec. Watch out for this show, I have a feeling its going to blow up.
Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg Elizabeth Lail as Bec
picture source: imdb.com picture source: imdb.com
Shay Mitchell as Peach
picture source: imdb.com
It's Pretty Little Liars meets Gossip Girl, but the content is much more mature and gripping. I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy thrillers, especially Gone Girl and The Girl on The Train as I'm sure you will find this book surpasses them completely. Are there any other books similar to this that I should check out? Leave a comment and let me know!
Caroline Kepnes does have a second book in this series called Hidden Bodies and I've read that she is hoping to write another book after that. I am yet to pick up Hidden Bodies but I plan on doing so today. I can't get enough of Joe as a character and hope to dive deeper into his predatory behaviour.
You can purchase You here and Hidden Bodies here.
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