REVIEWED BY CESCA MARTIN
How can you not be utterly gripped by a book that begins like this: woman wakes up after one-night stand, goes to bathroom, looks in mirror, sees herself... only she’s 25 years too old? This is the opening to S.J.Watson’s debut novel and from that moment you are hooked.
Christine lives with Ben, her husband of more than twenty years, and wakes everyday never remembering what she knew before she fell asleep. Sometimes she’s five and sometimes she’s in her early twenties. Life is scary and unreal. Christine is living today every day; over and over. When a phone rings and Christine answers she hears the calm voice of one Dr Nash. He tells her they have a meeting later that day, are working on her treatment. Christine doesn’t remember ever meeting a Dr Nash but a note, in her own handwriting, confirms the appointment and she agrees to see him. Then Dr Nash tells her not to tell her husband and the plot thickens...
This debut is a brilliant, pacey read. It’s gripping, it’s bewildering and it’s tense. S.J.Watson appears to have already mastered the art of drip-feeding the reader revelations that have them turning the pages to keep up as if he has been writing thrillers for years. Our own Kirsty (Novelicious ed) admitted to doing an all-nighter just to finish this book. Despite second-guessing some of the twists and turns I still fell hook, line and sinker for some of the red herrings. Great stuff from a new writer. Don’t wait for the Ridley Scott movie – read it now. A big Novelicious thumbs-up!
10/10
Before I Go to Sleep will be the launch book at this year's TV Book Club, which starts on Sunday 29th January on More4
