If We Were Villains: The Sensational TikTok Book Club pick: M.L. Rio

Although I dislike new books/authors being compared to past ones, I must admit that I was tempted to buy this novel through the comparisons to “The Secret History.” There are similarities, but, obviously, also lots of differences. Saying that, if you do enjoy authors such as Donna Tartt and Marisha Pessl, you will probably also enjoy this. It has the same sense of place and character, and falls most comfortably under the heading of literary mystery. We first meet Oliver Marks when he is released from prison after ten years, to be met by Joseph Colborne, the detective who investigated the crime which saw Oliver incarcerated. Now retired from the force, Colborne tells Oliver he is going to work for a private security firm and asks Oliver to tell him what really happened… This allows Oliver to narrate events, beginning on a new September term, 1997 at Dellecher Classical Conservatory in Broadwater, Illinois. Oliver is one of a small group of fourth year drama students; the others being Richard, Meredith, Filippa, Alexander, Wren, James and Oliver himself. This is a insular group, within a group, of aspiring Shakespearean thespians. The whole ethos of Dellecher is elitist, with everyone in the drama department constantly quoting Shakespeare throughout the entire novel – so if you are not a fan of the bard, then this book is best avoided. The author deftly, but slowly, builds the tension as the story advances. There are personal links and sub groups, ties and jealousies. Although the group appear to be tight knit, slowly you become aware that all is not as joyful, and close, as it appears from the outside. Of course, there are those who constantly get the better parts, those who are slightly in the background and simmering tensions. When one of the group dies, the police do not believe the story they are told and the group begins to fall apart, leading to Oliver’s arrest. Of course, though, it is not a straightforward tale, and this is why Colborne has waited so long to hear the truth. A very entertaining, intelligent and well written mystery, with a great setting and cast of characters.

Firstly, I've you've read them both, it's near-impossible to review this book without mentioning its similarities to the Secret History, just with Shakespeare obsessives instead of Classics buffs. The elite school, the murder, the strange cliche, the intense friendships and rivalries and passions...I'll say no more about that in the review, good or bad, but it really is inescapable. Putting that aside and taking the book on its own merits, it's generally a compelling read. The plot is ultimately fairly thin, but it's the sense of place, the characters, and the atmosphere that keep you turning the pages. I particularly liked the elite college with its weird rituals and traditions - it felt as fleshed out and magical as Hogwarts and despite some of the unpleasantness, left me with quite the desire to attend. The characters were basically deliberate archetypes - hero, villain, seductress etc - which was quite a fun idea but rather laboured. The first few chapters spent far too much time spelling out every key character's background and personality rather than letting it come out naturally. The main character and narrator is generally cast as a supporting character, and feels like that's also the role he plays in college life. It was an interesting route to go down and I'm in two minds about whether it helped to make him relatable or whether one of the more flamboyant characters might have made a more compelling lead. I loved the way Shakespeare was woven into the plot, from the way characters behave and the plot plays out, to the way the characters always quote - or sometimes misquote - the bard, and above all, to the way the intensity of performing certain scenes was portrayed. Reading about the characters' experiences of performing and living these scenes bought the plays to life for me more than any theatrical performance I can remember. There's a bit of a dual narrative, with the book starting ten years after most of the action, with the main character newly released from prison for some sort of crime he did or didn't commit while at the college. Most of the proper story is what he's recounting to a now-retired policeman who originally investigated the case. I usually love flashbacks and other non-linear narratives, but I think this would have been best told in straight chronological order. From the present day scenes, it wasn't hard to work out what had happened in the past way before it was shown in the narrative, which killed some of the tension, and it didn't really add any particular twists or revelations. Overall, while this was far from perfect, I'd definitely recommend it.

daha once okumustum, arkadasıma hediye olarak aldım. cok sevdigim bir kitaptır, shakespeare ile ilgileniyorsanız oneririm.

The book came with slight damage at the bottom corners, other than that it's fine. But really Amazon, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have more consideration into packing books. Atleast some bubble wraps? These things are just as fragile as fine china! 😤 So please pack them with more care, thank you 🙏

Read it on ebook, had to buy a physical copy !

Arrived in very good condition and i love the soft feel on the cover! Just like described. Thank you

Omg I don’t even read Shakespeare, but this boom was AMAZING!! I literally couldn’t put it down. This made me read dark academia book!