BLOG TOUR,BOOK REVIEW - Can You See Me Now by Trisha Sakhlecha

 

                                                               BOOK DESCRIPTION

Fifteen years ago, three sixteen-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India.
Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance.

Before she knows it, Sabah and Noor’s intoxicating world of privilege and intimacy opens up to Alia and, for the first time, after years of neglect from her parents, she feels she is exactly where, and with whom, she belongs.

But with intimacy comes jealousy, and with privilege, resentment, and Alia finds that it only takes one night for her bright new world to shatter around her.

Now Alia, a cabinet minister in the Indian government, is about to find her secrets have no intention of staying buried . . .

Written in chapters that flipped back and forth between the two time frames and voiced by Alia in the past and Alia and Sabah in the present day, this is a captivating read which has a plot that covers a wide range of issues ranging from bullying both in the school and working environments, intimidation,corruption to sexism,elitism and the lifestyles of the young, rich and spoilt. The type of youngsters that can get away with anything and won't be forced to face up to their actions and responsibilities because they know mummy and daddy will pay for their wrongdoings to mysteriously disappear. 

A running theme throughout this book was that despite the story being set in modern day India, women are still regarded as unworthy and undeserving of being on the same social standings as men. The plot also contained references to the shocking fact that even though we are supposed to be living in enlightened times, many rape victims are still treated terribly by the various justice departments,not only in India but all around the world. This is one of the main reasons why victims are often reluctant t to report that they have been the victim of a sex crime.

The chapters that were set fifteen years in the past covered Alia's arrival at prestigious Westcott school,how she found herself drawn into the toxic friendships and mind games of Noor, Sabah and their elite group of friends. I think that Alia was a very lonely individual and I could fully understand why she so badly wanted to be accepted by Noor and Sabah. I think that deep down we all harbour a desire to be accepted by our peers, after all, no one wants to be a billy no mates. The problem is that the need to be accepted can make make you blind to the fact that like Alia, you are just a pawn in a game of back stabbing, deception and betrayal. A game that,in this book culminated in a shocking event that would change Alia's life forever and still be haunting her fifteen years later.

In the chapters set in the present day, Alia is now a cabinet minister in the Indian government, fighting for changes in the law and champion of the rights of women and children. After Alia decides to publicly back the parents of a rape victim who committed suicide, she finds herself piting her wits against powerful opposition. With her career on the line and no support from her husband, the last thing she needs is Sabah suddenly returning to India intent on making a documentary about their days at Westcott and digging up the past. Sabah's investigation uncovers more questions than answers and the more she digs, the more it becomes apparent that things were not as they appeared all those years ago. Someone knows the truth about what happened in the past, someone who is hiding in plain sight and who is prepared to go to extreme lengths to attain what they perceived is rightfully theirs.

Enthralling and thought provoking with a cast of realistic characters most of whom were unlikable and untrustworthy,this is a captivating blend of friendships,families and Indian politics. It's well written, tightly plotted, perfectly paced, keeps the reader guessing and has some unexpected plot twists and turns. I thought this was a very entertaining read and I would happily read more of this author's books in the future.

                                                                        AUTHOR BIO

Trisha Sakhlecha grew up in New Delhi and now lives in London.  For her new novel she draws upon a true story – a famous scandal that erupted at her own high school and which changed India.  She works in fashion and is a graduate of the acclaimed Faber Academy writing course. In the past, Trisha has worked as a designer, trend forecaster, and lecturer. 

 She is the author of Your Truth Or Mine? www. trishasakhlecha.com or on Instagram @trishasakhlecha

4 February 2021, ISBN 978-1509886340, paperback original, £8.99

PURCHASE LINK..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1509886346?pf_rd_r=BWCEV744NDJ2TE5VW9T7&pf_rd_p=6e878984-68d5-4fd2-b7b3-7bc79d9c8b60&pd_rd_r=e1c24bd4-ee21-47eb-bc9c-11817a9d5cac&pd_rd_w=jsTfV&pd_rd_wg=PkgrX&ref_=pd_gw_unk

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