The End of Everything by Megan Abbott, author of Dare Me, is a taut and suspenseful novel of friendship, loss and the dark undercurrents of adolescence.
A close-knit street, the clink of glass on glass, summer heat. Two girls on the brink of adolescence, throwing cartwheels on the grass. Two girls who tell each other everything. Until one shimmering afternoon, one of them disappears.
Lizzie is left with her dread and her loss, and with a fear that won't let her be. Had Evie tried to give her a hint of what was coming, a clue that she failed to follow?
Caught between her imaginary guilt, her sense of betrayal, her own powerful need, and the needs of the adults around her, Lizzie's voice is as unforgettable as her story is arresting. This is no ordinary tale of innocence lost
Seeing how the disappearance of his daughter is affecting Mr Verner and determined to help in any way that she can, Lizzie channels her inner Nancy Drew and launches her own investigation into her friend's disappearance. Where was Evie? Had she been kidnapped or simply just ran away? If she ever did return, would their lives be able to return to how they used to be or would that hot afternoon be the catalyst for the end of everything?
Lizzie was a realistic and relatable blend of innocence, intelligence and naivety, a young girl with a powerful voice and a strong sense of loyalty towards Evie and her father. The families had known each other for years and Lizzie, whose parents were separated had a close relationship with Mr Verver. I think all teenagers have a crush on a older person at one point in their lives, I know I did and from quite early in this story it became obvious that Lizzie had a bit of a crush on her friend's father. Mr Verver came across as a friendly, likeable individual but some of his interactions with his seventeen year old daughter Dusty and some of her comments could have been construed as inappropriate and made you wonder if his friendliness towards Lizzie was as innocent as it appeared or was there a dark meaning hidden behind his actions.
As this extremely well written story unfolded, Lizzie discovered that Evie had been keeping secrets from her and that not everything in life is as it appears to be. Love has many faces and forms and in the world of the adolescent there is a very thin line between innocent and inappropriate feelings and behaviour. This is a thought provoking,dark, captivating read that has a cast of vivid, relatable characters, a number of whom I still had mixed feelings about once I had finished the book. I think this story would raise some interesting questions and discussions if it was read by a book group. Very very highly recommended.
AUTHOR BIO
Megan Abbott is an award-winning author of noir fiction including Queenpin and Bury Me Deep (nominated for the Edgar Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize). Her novel The End of Everything was a Richard and Judy selection and Dare Me was shortlisted for the CWA Steel Dagger. She is also the author of the gripping psychological thrillers, The Fever and You Will Know Me. She is co-writer of the smash-hit Sky Atlantic drama, The Deuce. Born in the Detroit area, she now lives in Queens, New York City.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS...
www.meganabbott.com
Twitter @meganeabbott
Instagram @melizaabbott
PUBLICATION DATE: 19th August 2011
PURCHASE LINK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/End-Everything-Richard-Judy-Selection-ebook/dp/B005CPG4FI/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2VK9EQP5CV221&dchild=1&keywords=the+end+of+everything&qid=1633093879&s=books&sprefix=The+end+%2Caps%2C387&sr=1-4
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