The It Girl

The best way to describe the addictive quality of The It Girl is to say that I wish this book were waterproof so even my time spent showering—once an escape, now  an inconvenience—would not interrupt this story. Bestselling author Ruth Ware brilliantly draws you in with  the tale of Hannah Jones, a woman who is still haunted by  the murder of her college roommate and best friend, April  Clarke-Cliveden, ten years later. When it is announced that  the man convicted of taking April’s life has died in prison,  a young reporter with new evidence reaches out to  Hannah, who is left reeling. Suddenly, the doubts she has suppressed for years resurface, freshly gnawing at her even as she navigates a joyful pregnancy with her doting husband. As more information about the night of April’s murder comes to light, Hannah is not sure who she can trust amongst her circle of college friends, all of whom knew and loved April. More than ever, she wants to put this tragedy to rest. But she cannot do so until she indulges her uncertainties, potentially endangering herself and those she loves most in the process. 

This thriller whodunit is unbearably suspenseful yet enjoyable. It likens to the 2019 Rian Johnson film, Knives Out, in that it marries paradigm elements of crime thrillers with those of  modern fiction, and this satisfies a certain quintessential yet familiar essence often sought after  by fiction readers of today. As the story unfolds, Ware slowly and expertly unveils bits and  pieces of the fateful night that is seared into Hannah’s memory. She alternates between chapters  about “Before” and “After” the murder, building suspense and engrossing the reader. By both  employing these classic aspects of mystery thrillers and using a modern setting for The It Girl,  Ware provides an interesting contrast: She utilizes these in tandem to construct a relatable yet  beautiful and curious world in which readers eagerly insert themselves. The characters wander  the halls of Pelham college, a fictional school of Oxford University with a Gothic architectural  flair and uniquely intelligent students and staff. Captivating paragraphs about the ornate beauty  of the college are quickly followed by paragraphs about the social media apps used by the  college students. Warm and cozy descriptions of the timeless bars and hangouts they frequent are  coupled with typical college-age discussions about drugs and who’s dating who. And just when  you think you’re safe, perusing these pleasantly intricate descriptions and laughing at the witty banter like in any worthy work of fiction, Ware points the finger at yet another character in  which you have become invested, and the anticipation builds again, generating that uneasy,  staple feeling of thrillers. You truly get the best of both worlds with this book: It is both a  suspenseful thriller and an amusing piece of fiction, and the crossover is masterfully done. 

As aforementioned, The It Girl is well-written, intriguing, and effectively structured.  Beyond this, the book bewitches you with a rare style of writing. Ware writes as though she is  watching each scene transpire in front of her, never missing necessary details or striking descriptions. She describes the complexity of both atypical and everyday feelings with incredible care and poignant observation of the human psyche. Every word is deliberate, evoking specific  emotions from the reader; this purposeful way of writing compels you to keep reading and pondering about this gripping story, even when you are minutes from sleep or between important  tasks. In addition to her superlative use of syntax, Ware grounds the story in undeniable realism despite its fictional basis. She assembles rich characters with idiosyncrasies so precise, they seem  eerily real. Their human behavior and speech patterns are distinct from one another, even though they were created by one mind. At times, you become so absorbed in this meticulous character  work and the similarly conceivable world-building that these elements seem to have crept off the  page while you read, enveloping you in the story and alongside the very characters you idolize,  fear, and love. This immersion is a feeling like no other. 

The recent rise of true crime engagement on social media and streaming services has lent itself to sensationalism and melodrama. Ware’s awareness of these issues bleeds into The It Girl: Hannah’s troublesome reality as the living best friend of a murder victim explores the byproducts of trauma—such as grief, survivor’s guilt, paranoia, trust issues, and anxiety—with great depth and nuance. The book advocates for those terrorized by the press, the public, and themselves in  the aftermath of similar tragedies. It also serves as a commentary on the way in which true crime glorifies tragedy. By grounding the story and characters in this way, Ware presents a  sympathetic, heartbreakingly realistic tale for us to reflect on, not just consume.