This Is Not Forgiveness.

Jay, Mary

This Is Not Forgiveness

Celia Rees

Bloomsbury 2012

ISBN 9781408817698

280 pages 6.99 [pounds sterling]

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This is a novel that has you gripped from the first line and completely lives up to its promise with its taut, compelling narrative.

Rees has departed from her usual genre of historical adventure to produce a cleverly plotted, tense psychological drama. She deftly handles provocative and challenging subjects in the context of everyday life. She also introduces the reader to a small cast of believable characters, and explores with gritty realism the relationships between young adults and their family and friends.

Melvin Burgess aptly described the plot as a 'vortex' and the narrative does indeed draw the reader in, surprising with its many twists and turns.

The three central characters are Jamie, a sixth form college student anticipating university life; Caro, a beautiful and impulsive young girl who seeks excitement and wants to play with dark forces; and Rob, a wounded Afghanistan ex-soldier who feels that his life is over and is looking for a cause.

The three characters collide in both expected and unexpected ways and through their interaction Celia Rees explores her themes of love, betrayal, faith and violence. The narrative voice switches between male and female voices and there is an intensity to the writing which makes the reader feel that they are watching events unfold.

The novel may be intended for young adults but would provide and excellent, thought-provoking read for any adult audience; I couldn't put it down.