December 2, 2020

Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell


Century | 6 August 2020 | 416 pgs
Source: Library 
Saffyre Maddox was ten when a traumatic experience led her into self-harming. Now at seventeen, she'd spent three years seeing child psychologist, Roan Fours, who has later cut short their sessions after he deemed her "perfectly fine" despite her uncertainties. Feeling abandoned and not ready to let go of their therapist-patient relationship, Saffyre decides to watch and follow him secretly and through her observations she's found something more about him and his family. Saffyre is a character whom you'd sympathise with due to her lonely life and her pent-up emotions but fortunately she has an uncle who cares a lot about her although she chose to act happy and carefree in front of him. 

On the other end, 33-year-old Owen Pick is a Computer Science teacher who lives in his aunt's spare bedroom. His aunt, Tessa, doesn't think highly of him and their relationship is lukewarm to say the least. Truth be told, Owen is simply a quiet man who does his job diligently and hoping to find a girlfriend and settle down like other people, but his sometimes odd and awkward vibes often give people the wrong impression and thus he is cast as an oddball and a social misfit. His world is then turned upside down when two girls in school accused him for sexual misconduct. Suspended from his job, he uses the free time to find related accusations online and this leads him to Bryn's blog and his dark world of "incel" (in other words, involuntary celibates). 

Saffyre and Owen may be two different persons but their world collide after an incident on Valentine's night. It is also that night that Saffyre disappears and Owen becomes the person of interest considering he's the last person to see her alive. What transpired that night and what happened to Saffyre is the core of this story but Lisa Jewell has executed this suspense story well through her writing style and the intricate plot which had held my attention throughout. But that's not all, Lisa has also added a few underlying themes such as abuse, sexual assault, mental health which reflect what our current society is facing today as well as misunderstood perceptions and how people are often quick to judge others at first glance. Despite some revolting issues, I think this book will work great for a group discussion.
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14 comments:

  1. there's quite a few aspects of this that sound disturbing! but that's probably why we should read it

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    1. Jeane - It was hard reading about what Saffyre (and the victims in general) had gone through but still it was important to raise awareness and that the victims do not suffer in silence.

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  2. It does sound intense, but I admit I'm curious!

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    1. Jenclair - I'll be curious of your thoughts if you do read it, Jenclair. :)

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  3. Lisa Jewell is an author I keep meaning to read. Not sure if I'd start with this book though; it seems a little dark for me right now. Have you read other books by her?

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    1. Lark - I've only read one of her other books (The Family Upstairs) and it was a good one. Hopefully you'll give that book a try someday. :)

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  4. Her books are generally very intense. Thanks for this review.

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    1. Mystica - I need to read more of her books! :D

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  5. I'm intrigued from your review, Melody. It sounds like this is not only an entertaining read, but also touches on important issues relevant today.

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    1. Wendy - It sure is, Wendy. And Lisa's writing is so engaging.

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  6. I've enjoyed other books by Jewell, so I'll have to check this one out!

    I'm happy to have found your blog via Lark's. I'll be back :)

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    1. Susan - Thanks for visiting, Susan! I'll be sure to check out your blog as well. Hope you'll enjoy this book if you get to it. :)

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  7. I've really enjoyed her writing and so I will add this one to my must read! Great review, Melody!

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    1. Iliana - Thanks, Iliana! Hope you'll enjoy this as much as I did!

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