Us

I enjoyed reading this book almost straight after reading another by Mason 'The Drowning People'. The three characters - Jake, Julian and Adrienne are caught up by one other character Maggie (Julian's sister). The plot coils around their different and often intertwining relationships with Maggie.

The book takes us from the beginning of their lives in a part called 'Me', following this it is 'Then' and finally 'Us'. 'Then' was the hardest section for me to read as each chapter is narrated from the point of view of three characters. Other ones have a chapter per character, which is much easier.

The writing is excellent, even once I know what has happened to Maggie (you know from the blurb she has died) I still felt compelled to read on show more and discover what would happen years later on in their lives. The ending had a sense of completion to it whereby even though you are wondering about the next few years in their lives you feel that the plot has gone full circle.

Good narrative and dialogue with believable characters. For me it was just as good as 'The Drowning People' but I do think for those that didn't enjoy the narrator of James in that, then this one could be better. show less

Julian, Jack and Adrienne knew each other in university in England. They each have their own memories of each other and the main person who linked them, Julian's sister, Maggie.

It was ok. Each chapter changed viewpoint, but it was marked at the start of the chapter, so fairly easy to follow – at first. In the second half of the book there were shared chapters that alternated viewpoints each section, so that was trickier. I didn't really like any of the characters, so that never helps in liking a book for me. There was a slight surprise ending.

This is a wonderful escapist read, a psychological thriller which I loved. I definitely will be reading "The Drowning People".

Julian, Jake, Adrienne e Maggie: quattro ragazzi a Oxford, poco studio e molte discussioni, slanci di passione, amori, litigi e notti passate a raccontarsi la vita. Julian e Maggie provengono da una famiglia dell'upper class inglese, Adrienne è bella e ricca, Jake ha potuto frequentare le scuole migliori solo grazie ai soldi vinti a una lotteria. In collegio è stato sottoposto ad ogni sorta di umiliazione. Potrebbe dimenticare, forse, ma non Maggie che quando si innamora di lui, decide di regolare i conti con i suoi nemici. Un romanzo sull'amore e sulla crudeltà, sull'irresponsabilità dell'adolescenza, quando tutto è assoluto e ad ogni passo sembra che la vita intera sia in gioco. Una sana sete di giustizia si trasforma in una show more tragedia farsesca... show less