About The Book
Louise is struggling to survive in New York; juggling a series of poorly paid jobs, renting a shabby flat, being catcalled by her creepy neighbour, she dreams of being a writer. And then one day she meets Lavinia. Lavinia who has everything – looks, money, clothes, friends, an amazing apartment.
Lavinia invites Louise into her charmed circle, takes her to the best underground speakeasies, the opera, shares her clothes, her drugs, her Uber account. Louise knows that this can’t last for ever, but just how far is she prepared to go to have this life? Or rather, to have Lavinia’s life?
My Review
I had heard lots about this book, it had been on my wish list for a while and I had been absolutely dying to read it. I devoured it in 24 hours. Could not put it down. Started it on a Sunday evening, went to work on Monday morning and thought about it, read it in my lunch break, spent an afternoon thinking about it some more and then went home, had my dinner and snuggled up on the sofa under a blanket to finish it. It is that good.
It is so good that I have no idea where to even start reviewing it. It is one of those books that just takes you on a wild ride – one that you don’t want to get off. It is also incredibly hard to talk about what happens in the book without massive spoilers everywhere, but I will try!
It’s about Louise. And Lavinia. Louise is kind of a writer, well she would be if she didn’t have to work three jobs to pay the bills, live miles out of the city and spend half her day on a subway commuting to the three jobs. Lavinia is a wealthy, popular, wildly extravagant young woman who is taking a sabbatical from College and is drinking and partying her way around New York. They’re both awful, awful people but my gosh are they compelling. They are brought together when Louise is hired to tutor Lavinia’s sister and suddenly, Louise’s life isn’t quite so dull anymore.
They whizz around New York dropping in on operas, achingly hip parties, the best bars, underground clubs that are accessed via a secret code word and a clamber through a telephone box and meet the most exciting and powerful people New York has to offer. All whilst wearing the couture dresses. The whole thing is documented on social media, that visit to the best bar in town? A check in on Facebook, a perfectly posed selfie and a witty but oh, so intelligent comment with likes galore. The opera? A photo in the fountain, a dry comment and a gazillion likes. A run in with an ex and an awkward conversation? A tactical photo and a comment about living your best life posted immediately after unblocking said ex-boyfriend on Facebook. It all whizzes along at a breathless pace – I was there, in New York with them, living this incredible life. But then, there’s a line which made me pause, re-read and then re-read again. And the whole thing became something else entirely.
It is an incredibly modern book but at the same time quite classic. Take away all of the social media stuff and you have a group of people who are highly intelligent, well-read, wealthy, know all of the most important people and this book could be set in any point in history. It reminded me a little of The Secret History by Donna Tartt in places and like Gossip Girl in others; interesting and edgy with a hint of unease.
It’s about friendship and how intoxicating it can be, the complexity of female relationships and how the power can ebb and flow. It is dark though and explores some pretty heavy themes with raw honesty and brutality but I loved it. Really, properly loved it. I want to read it for the first time all over again. The writing is whip smart with a plot that had my head spinning and characters that leapt from the page. It is really great stuff and comes highly recommended if you want a book to get carried away by.
Social Creature was published by Raven Books on the 14th June 2018 and can be bought here.
Beverley Has Read 