About the Book- The Collective
The USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author of Never Look Back and If I Die Tonight plumbs the dark side of justice and the depths of diabolical revenge in this propulsive novel of psychological suspense that melds the driving narrative of Then She Was Gone with the breathtaking twists of The Chain and the violent fury of Kill Bill.
Just how far will a grieving mother go to right a tragic wrong?
Camille Gardner is a grieving—and angry—mother who, five years after her daughter’s death, is still obsessed with the privileged young man she believes to be responsible.
When her rash actions attract the attention of a secret group of women—the collective—Camille is drawn into a dark web where these mothers share their wildly different stories of loss as well as their desire for justice in a world where privilege denies accountability and perpetrators emerge unscathed. Fueled by mutual rage, these women orchestrate their own brand of justice through precise, anonymous, complexly plotted and perfectly executed revenge killings, with individual members completing a specific and integral task in each plan.
As Camille struggles to comprehend whether this is a role-playing exercise or terrifying reality, she must decide if these women are truly avenging angels or monsters. Becoming more deeply enmeshed in the group, Camille learns truths about the collective—and about herself—that she may not be able to survive.
“None of these monsters are evil. It’s the evil of others that makes them powerful. Beaten down by the world, shunned, robbed of what they love, they don’t curl up and die. They don’t apologize. They fight back. They get bigger, stronger, more terrifying. You are a monster. We all are. Be grateful for THAT.”
Quote from- The Collective by Alison Gaylin
Our Review of The Collective by Alison Gaylin
I always knew mothers are dangerous and a bit crazy. Trust me I have one at home 😛 But seriously this book just took to it another level and I say it in full awe. The book just explored the depths of a heartbroken mother. All I want to say is that this book is a journey. It starts as something and leaves you at a point where you are not sure of anything. A book has achieved its purpose if it makes the readers just turn page after page to know what will happen next and in the end leaves you hurricane kissed. I was not ready for the way the book ended. I felt that the author had the last laugh here.
If you are getting confused then don’t be because the book is a powerful roller coaster ride that keeps you on your toes. It is also not the easiest book to read with so many trigger flags in it but in a way that makes the book what it is. One of the facts that the book achieves is its way to tell you how quickly one emotionally charged decision can have longer repercussions. The end twist or the way everything comes to its ultimate convergence was a study in itself. On one end it picked all the threads and combed them out neatly and on the other hand, it gives you such a mind-blowing lesson that you are forced to take a breather.
The Book has very good plot arcs. There are good twists and thrills and unforeseen events that add to the allure of the book. More than a thriller the book can be best described as a study of the human psyche. It brings some interesting analogies and facts in the garb of a very powerful story. The beauty of the book is that it has used a very raw character as its central. This allows us to see the vulnerability of a human mind
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would just like to say that this book is a powerful one. An amazingly put-together story that is very grounded in its facts meaning that it is realistic and not overly visualised. One has to truly read the book to understand the message it is trying to convey. One’s right can be another’s wrong. One’s justice might as well be a crime to another. A very powerful book with an amazing plot and narration.
Squirrel Rating
