PLOT: 4/5
CHARACTERS: 4/5
ENTERTAINMENT: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
“I’m a girl, which implies I’ve to anticipate to be seen as an unlikable character.”
– Araminta Corridor, One of many Good Guys
I’ve been immersing myself in a number of women-centric books currently, many celebrating the spirit of womanhood. Nonetheless, not too long ago, I stumbled upon “One of many Good Guys,” which sheds gentle on the continuing plight of ladies worldwide.
It showcases their struggles as we speak whereas additionally portraying ladies standing up for themselves. This e book is greatest loved with a blind method if set off warnings don’t have an effect on you.
The story of One of many Good Guys (spoiler-free)
Cole takes a break from his job and his life in London and involves reside in a distant coastal city away from London to refigure his life after his failed marriage. He had at all times needed to be away from all of the hustle and bustle of London and had even prompt transferring away to his now ex-wife Mel, who has a really profitable profession in a PR consultancy agency.
However as they settled into the connection and began planning for a kid, issues began to fizzle between them and failed IVF solely created the final word rift, making Cole transfer away.
Leonara, an artist, involves reside in the identical coastal city simply meters away from Cole, looking for solace very like him. As she plans her subsequent artwork exhibit, their paths intertwine, forging an surprising bond. Within the eerie, chilly, and abandoned nights, their unlikely friendship blossoms, providing consolation amidst solitude.
Their peaceable life out of the blue will get disrupted when two younger feminine activists disappear close to their home. The 2 had been strolling all the coastal line, whereas elevating consciousness in opposition to gendered violence and had camped close to their homes.
Each Cole and Leonara are caught in the midst of a police investigation, and as a result of recognition of those younger ladies, media havoc is created, and all the nation is caught up on this disappearance.
Because the investigation proceeds, each Cole and Leonara understand that they have no idea who the opposite individual is and if they are often trusted.
What occurred to each of those ladies?
What half did Cole and Leonara play of their disappearance?
My ideas
This e book can be greatest loved if you happen to go in blind. There are fairly a couple of set off warnings within the e book, but when they don’t have an effect on you, then don’t learn the blurb; simply go in blind, as what the e book needs to convey and what the blurb says – are two various things.
After all, there’s a thriller to it, nevertheless it takes a really small half within the e book. The primary themes that this e book addresses are gaslighting, consent BDSM, violence in the direction of ladies, and misogyny.
Now, the query arises: what’s gaslighting? In easy phrases, it means manipulating one other individual into doubting their ideas, understanding, and even experiences. It’s a typical but equally disturbing downside, akin to abuse.
The way it’s executed is subtly and cleverly depicted to us readers. Because the title suggests, “One of many Good Guys,” Cole genuinely believes he is among the good guys and falls into that class. The preliminary a part of the e book is from his perspective, narrating his life story in a manner that evokes empathy from the reader. Nonetheless, a lingering feeling of one thing being amiss suggests there’s extra to the story than meets the attention.
Then you definately come to Mel’s POV, and the husband-wife dynamic is explored extra. Thoughts you, even Mel has gray traits.
Leonora is the primary binding issue within the e book. As we begin studying her perspective, we understand that there’s extra to her than meets the attention. She is hiding one thing, and it’s solely within the climax that we come to know the precise plan or what’s truly taking place, which, although questionable, efficiently achieves what the e book was set out for.
The e book works very effectively. It’s a traditional instance of good writing, utilizing combined media conversations like chat histories, Fb publish feedback, and even podcast commentary to swiftly transfer the story ahead.
What’s greatest about this e book is that any girl, even when she is tremendous profitable or not, faces these points. Writing about these characters and their points makes the story reasonable and fascinating.
A thought-provoking e book that, after studying, will go away you with extra questions on a girl’s plight. Finest loved if you happen to go in blind and if set off warnings don’t have an effect on you.
Can’t wait to learn it? Purchase your copy of One of many Good Guys utilizing the hyperlink beneath.
