Set in the New Forest in the 1970s, identical triplets William, Vincent, and Lawrence are the last remaining residents of Captain Scott House, where they take part in the government-run Sycamore Scheme. Watched over by the mysterious Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon, and Mother Night, their dreams are recorded each morning, their days are spent studying The Book of Knowledge, and any misdeeds are noted in The Book of Guilt.
Their greatest hope is to be cured of the mysterious Bug that keeps them unwell, so they can join their friends in the promised ‘Big House’ in Margate.
The Book of Guilt is a gripping blend of dystopian fiction and literary thriller that draws readers into a world layered with secrets and unease. It explores weighty questions of morality, ethics, and the age-old debate of nature vs. nurture, while also asking: in a world saturated with cruelty, what injustices have we grown accustomed to overlooking?
Long-time Chidgey fans can rest assured, this is another reliably absorbing, tightly written page-turner. Poised to make waves not just in Aotearoa but abroad, The Book of Guilt is a compelling read with an ending that lingers, and plenty to unpack. I highly recommend it as your next book club pick.
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