The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey - 3/5

Any book that questions humanity’s morality wins me over, and Catherine Chidgey’s novel does just that and more. It follows triplets Vincent, Lawrence, and William, raised under the government’s Sycamore Scheme in 1979 England, cared for by three mothers and shaped by three mysterious books tracking their dreams, knowledge, and guilt. The story subtly diverges from known history, creating an unsettling, alternative world that probes deep questions about nature versus nurture and the origins of good and evil. Chidgey’s rich, descriptive language and nuanced portrayal of the brothers, distinct and complex, make the novel immersive. Like Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, it’s dark and thought-provoking, pushing readers to become theorists themselves. While the prose can be heavy at times, the novel’s expansive themes and ethical reflections make it compelling and haunting.