THE BOOK OF GUILT by Catherine Chidgey

5 stars

A devastatingly brilliant novel set in an alternate future in which World War II ends prematurely with Hitler’s assignation in 1943 by German officers conspiring against him, and the subsequent signing a no-fault treaty. Britain strikes a deal to continue brutal medical experimentation on children started in the concentration camps, under the supervision of a Dr. Roach.

Fast forward to 1979 and a huge British mansion in which three identical triplet boys grow up with three “Mothers” who rotate 8-hour shifts: Morning, Afternoon and Night. There had been other children growing up in sprawling run-down house with them, but they’re now gone, and where they’ve dispersed is either unclear or rumored to be a place called Margate, a huge amusement park where they have endless fun. Their house is one of multiple Sycamore Homes- all overseen by Dr. Roach and all filled with orphaned children.

The triplets have varied personalities: highly observant Vincent who narrates most of the book, Lawrence who’s sensitive and wants to be a vet, and William who’s both high energy and cruel. The Mothers endless reinforce manners with the boys, teach them from a set of encyclopedias they call The Book of Knowledge packed with stories from history, lead craft sessions and even ethical discussions about what to do in morally ambiguous situations. In their free time, the boys roam the spacious grounds around the mansion – but the house is surrounded by a tall wall with sharp sharps of glass on top and a locked gate. Growing up, all the children have been fighting off bouts of the “Bug” that leave them feeling sickly and dependent on changing medications from the seemingly doting Dr. Roach.

A new government comes into power and decides to wind down the Sycamore Homes as a cost-cutting measure and to find families to adopt the orphans. But in a series of shocking reveals that cascade one upon the next, everything unravels. You find yourself on the edge of your seat- both mesmerized and horrified as the layers peel back on what’s really been going on.

This is a MUST READ book!  I am sure I will always remember it, the elegance of its writing, and the striking, jarring lessons it imparts.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, Cardinal, and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.