This is truly a novel for our time - for many reasons. Firstly, it explores the age old topic of fame - how to achieve it, how to cope with it, how to live a life in the spotlight, the personal impact that fame can have on someone's life. Secondly, the unconventional format of the novel is a nod towards the increasing presence of social media in our lives. Thirdly, the whole concept of 'truth' - what is the truth? Whose truth is correct?This is something that is questioned now more than ever as we navigate a landscape of many voices clamouring to portray their truth as the only version of what is right.
Why would you want to read this novel? What is it really about?
Let me introduce to you Melanie Lange, hereafter known as Mellie. Mellie has spent most of her life in the glare of fame. Discovered at aged 15, she shot to instant fame as a model. The moment she set foot on the catwalk she became public property. Anyone who lives in the spotlight becomes the subject of public opinion. Strangers feel like they know that person and can say anything they like, without any consequence. This has been Mellie's life until recently. She ditched modelling years ago to become a cosmetics executive, but the past is hard to shake off. Now Melanie has disappeared and the online trolling has only just begun.
This interesting novel is told through several mediums: a You Tube video transcript, Tweets, a Netflix documentary script, an interview between Melanie's father, Peter, and his ghost writer, a gossip blog, emails, journal entries and staff reports. The story slowly reveals itself through these different viewpoints and accounts. In their way they are all unreliable narrators and you have to read to the very last page to find out what actually happened to Mellie.
I found this to be an intriguing novel that kept me on my toes. One minute I was Team Save Melanie and the next I was Team Help Peter. How do you 'take sides' when you don't know the full story? This book stayed with me long after I read the final page. I would urge you to be on Team ReadThisBook. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this experience - but should you take my word for it?
Photo Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/pixelated-face-woman-pixel-4759868/