Our reviews of
Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson
Genre
Literary Crime Fiction (View all)
Synopsis:
Christine wakes in a strange bed beside a man she does not recognise. In the bathroom she finds a photograph of him taped to the mirror, and beneath it the words 'Your husband'.
Annette's Review
Reviewed: February / March 2011
MAY RELEASE
Without exception, this is the creepiest and most chilling psychological thriller I have ever read. With endorsements by Lionel Shriver and Dennis Lehane, you would expect not only excellent writing, but depth of content, and that is exactly what you get. Although I found the subject matter somewhat horrifying (I have read Forever Today) the book is compulsive reading; you simply have to find out what is going on, and last night I kept myself awake as I read from the half way mark to the conclusion with my eyes simply glued to the page. The novel is based on the lives of two of the most severe cases of amnesia the world has seen, one of whom is the British musicologist, Clive Wearing, whose total memory function was permanently erased when he contracted Herpes simplex encephalitis, an horrific virus which attacks the brain. His wife’s memoir, Forever Today, told his heart-breaking story and on pages 196 and 197 of her book, the diary entries of Watson’s female protagonist read just like those of the unfortunate Wearing. The author’s achievement is to combine an appalling but fascinating neurological condition with all the elements that go to make up a tremendously eerie thriller. Read it when you have a couple of nights to spare so that you are able to do it in one or two sittings in order to avoid frustration, because this is a book which will have you helplessly in its grip until you come to its riveting conclusion!
Colleen's Review
Reviewed: February / March 2011
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I agree with everything Annette has said about this book, and yes, it is a very creepy psychological thriller. The three protagonists in this book are Christine, an amnesiac, her husband Ben, and her Doctor, Edward Nash. From the first page, you know that something is off kilter, hence the creepy feelings, but it’s not until the very end of the book that all is revealed. Unlike Annette, I haven’t read anything about amnesia; it must be one of the most debilitating illnesses, not only for the sufferer, but for the people who love them, and care for them. All in all, a deeply satisfying read. Books such as this cause sleep deprivation – it’s so compelling, you just have to keep reading, no matter what the hour! |
Aileen's Review
Reviewed: April / May 2011
Imagine waking every morning knowing nothing of your life, and having a strange man next to you, who is apparently your husband. This is what Christine Lucas faces, believing she is a still a young woman, only to look in the mirror to find that she is in fact in her mid 50’s. Where have the last 25 years gone? Pretty scary stuff. After losing her memory from some traumatic event, Christine has only her husband Ben and her doctor Edward Nash for support, and to fill in her missing past. Dr Nash encourages Christine to write a daily journal to try to help her regain her memory, but as she has flashes of memory, Christine is not sure who she can trust, and who is telling the truth. This keeps you guessing right to the end. A fascinating subject and great read.