Before You Knew My Name - Jacqueline Bublitz

Another feminist debut with thriller elements from an Aussie. Good example of a writer using their subconscious but within a cogent plot. The emphasis on the back story of the main character amplifies the tragedy of her victimization. Note: someone from Hoboken, New Jersey of Noah’s era would be named something ethnic but Americanized, like Francis. Perhaps we can imagine that the character changed his name to something more trendy for business reasons.

Though this book has flaws, I get so much more substance from it compared to books like the surrealistic The Vegetarian, which just won The Nobel Prize, and is not about a vegetarian but is about a lost, vegan woman who wants to become a tree. Sounds like it could be a bit irritating?  While The Vegetarian has similar themes to Upmarket Women’s thrillers, something got lost in translation. Yet what a prestigious award it won this year, for some reason.