Title: Before I Go to Sleep
Author: S.J. Watson
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Date of Publication: June 14, 2011
Pages: 368
My Rating: 4.5/5
Review:
S.J. Watson's Before I Go to Sleep is a perfect example of a psychological thriller-bright from its intriguing premise to its execution. Watson's first novel is an interesting look into the speculation of memories and trust, thus building a thrilling story intertwined with emotional depth and psychological complexity. The plot revolves around Christine Lucas, a character who has a rare form of amnesia wherein her memory is wholly deleted at night. Every day she awakens to a tabula rasa-a clean slate-within her mind, waking up to think that she is in her twenties, only to be informed by her husband that she actually is in her forties and with a life that is beyond her recall. Furthermore, She requires considerable support from other individuals and has been living in a constant state of disorientation and fear.
The trajectory of Christine's life makes a serious turn when she begins, at the insistence of her therapist, Dr. Nash, to write in a journal. Through her entries in the journal, the audience is taken through Christine's progressive coming-of-age into truth about her life, interpersonal relationships, and her mental stability. This technique utilizing a journal offers the audience entry into Christine's baffled reality and can create an association close with her character.
Some of the salient features of "Before I Go to Sleep" are in the way it uses suspense: Watson crafts an intricately intertwined plot, full of twists and surprises right from the beginning that keeps the reader guessing. It is highly interesting and gripping to read a novel in which there is a gradual release of information with the underlying uncertainty always present concerning Christine's condition and the people around her. Each chapter adds something from the previous one, leading to a surprising and satisfying ending.
Christine's character is oriented with immense depth and sensitivity. Her amnesiac experiences, coupled with the ensuing vulnerability in life, are portrayed with immense emotional turmoil, making her an intensely related protagonist. This clash between what seems to be real and what actually is adds a very interesting dimension to the story. Watson's probing into Christine's psychological state enhances the suspense and adds immense emotional depth to the story.
Of course, not withstanding its strengths, Before I Go to Sleep does have weaknesses. For example, some readers may find Christine's daily repetitive activities somewhat annoying because often entries that succeed one another report similar incidents. This repetition is also cruelly part of Christine's real life, stuck as she is in the same day, and works to heighten the sense of Christine's confinement.
Additionally, despite the complexity of the storytelling itself, some tropes integral to the thriller genre-a bad-boy narrator and a shocking plot reveal-seem destined to be old news for many readers. Well-played as they are, at times these elements do feel predictable. Some of the secondary characters are underdeveloped, their motivations and actions mainly there to drive the plot rather than adding much dimension.
Notwithstanding these minor concerns, S.J. Watson's Before I Go to Sleep emerges as an exceptional psychological thriller that offers both a captivating and intellectually stimulating experience. The author's adept narrative technique, coupled with the novel's compelling concept, guarantees its significant position within the genre. Its capacity to maintain reader engagement through suspenseful developments and psychological complexity renders it essential reading for enthusiasts of psychological thrillers.
In conclusion, Before I Go to Sleep indeed offers a new, interesting perspective on the interpretation of the genre of a psychological thriller. With an absorbing storyline, a multidimensional protagonist, and skillful storytelling, the novel promises a journey that is engaging right from the cover to the end. While the themes are somewhat overworked, the skill and emotive power with which it is written make the story worth reading for any thriller enthusiast.
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