Play Book Tag discussion

Double Blind by Edward St. Aubyn - 5* - My Review

Set mostly in present day England, this book is an unusual blend of friendship, science, mental health, relationships, environmentalism, business, and relationships. The storyline encompasses the interactions among four primary characters. Olivia, Francis, Lucy, and Hunter. Olivia is working on a book with her father about mental health research. She has just met and formed a relationship with Francis, a natural scientist living off-grid. Her best friend, Lucy, is just returning from the US, and will be working for reckless, self-centered, wealthy entrepreneur, Hunter.

The relationships among these characters are the focus of the book. Olivia’s parents, both psychologists, also play a role, along with one of her dad’s patients, Sebastian. There are also a few supporting characters that add interest and flavor. For example, there is a cardinal and an abbot wanting to map the brain of a monk who has taken a vow of silence and use it in a religious-based video game.

The writing is lively and spirited, providing insight into the characters’ thoughts, emotions, and motivations. It is also a thinking person’s book, with lots of references to factors that play a role in brain function. I think the reader needs to be interested in science in order to fully appreciate it, since psychology, research, drug studies, nature, biology, and brain diseases are integral to narrative. All the themes are woven into the storyline – it is not a soapbox. I was enthralled with it. I had never read anything by Edward St. Aubyn before, but I plan to check out his other books. What a great writer!