While dystopian fiction isn't my usual go-to, this novel presents a unique and compelling premise. Set in the late 1970s, it follows triplets raised by three mothers, whose lives are shaped by illness, isolation, and a community that struggles to accept them. Their longing to reach the mythical Margate propels the story forward, gradually unveiling the mystery surrounding their confinement.

The atmosphere is immersive, and the slow unraveling of secrets keeps the reader engaged. For fans of thought-provoking fiction that delves into the complexities of human existence, this book offers plenty to contemplate.

The story centres around a set of triplets growing up in a boys home. They are looked after by the mothers and know they are special. They are not allowed beyond the walls, they learn every day from the Book of Knowledge, record their dreams in the Book of Dreams and all bad behaviour is recorded in the Book of Guilt. They take their medicine, see the doctor regularly, and dream one day of going to Margate. Until the government changes and there is talk of closing the homes. Then the real reason for the homes comes out. Wonderfully written from the point of view of Vincent and another mystery girl, Nancy, we discover what is really going on, as they do. We follow their thoughts, dreams and slow realisations of the chilling truth.

A disappointing book overall as I was certain I was going to love it before I started reading it. Far too long with pages and pages just going nowhere.

A dark and disturbing piece of literary dystopia, The Book of Guilt examines moral decay through the lens of an alternate 1979, one in which a moral compromise leads to devastating consequences. Masterfully written and with a touch of both Ishiguro and modern horror (a particular director comes to mind), The Book of Guilt is disquieting and unsettling, even as it propels you along its shadowed journey.

Eerie, mesmerizing, and dark. It's hard to discuss this one without giving away spoilers, but this alternate history was hard to put down and I will now have to read Chidgey's entire backlist.

Enjoyable but one that I expected more from. I’ll be eager to see what else the offer has in store as I enjoyed the writing.

One of my most anticipated reads of the year, The Book of Guilt mostly lived up to my expectations. While it didn’t quite measure up to The Axeman’s Carnival or Pet, it’s a chilling, dystopian read that contains enough reality to make it plausible and when it gets going properly around the halfway mark, it takes off.

It’s post-war England (late 1970s) and 13 year old triplets Lawrence, William and Vincent live in a stately home in the English countryside, cared for around the clock by their three mothers.

The triplets’ misdemeanours are recorded in The Book of Guilt, their dreams in The Book of Dreams and they learn from The Book of Knowledge, an outdated children’s encyclopaedia that leaves them with a limited and prescribed view of the world. They’re forced to take regular medicine to prevent them from succumbing to The Bug.

What exactly is going on slowly becomes apparent as we meet the Minister for Loneliness, a woman who has been mandated by the Prime Minister to wind up the Sycamore Homes, a system of institutions across the country housing children and subjecting them to forced medication. We also meet the mysterious Nancy, a young girl kept indoors at all times by her fearful parents.

The novel moves pretty slowly for the first 50% and while it’s an interesting premise, it didn’t fully grab me until Nancy entered the story. I could see the direction the story was going, but it became ever more propulsive as Nancy’s situation crystallised.

Chidgey writes crisply and elegantly. Her books are a joy to read, so clever and original in premise. The Book of Guilt has inevitably been compared to Never Let Me Go, a superior novel to be perfectly honest, but it should be read on its own merits for the quality literary suspense that it is. 4/5 ⭐️

*Many thanks to the author and publisher for the advance arc via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The Book of Guilt was published in May.

I chose to read a free eARC of The Book of Guilt but that has in no way influenced my review.

Vincent, Lawrence and William are brothers. Vincent wears yellow. Lawrence wears green. William wears red. The colours enable the Mothers (Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night) to tell the three boys apart. They're the only ones left now after all of the other children in their home were sent to the Big House in Margate. If my brief outline of the book is starting to make you feel slightly uncomfortable, slightly wary, then boy, get used to it!

The Book of Guilt is a thoroughly unsettling, completely unnerving dystopian tale. It's 1979 and life as we know it, history as we remember it, is very, very different. The triplets are thirteen-years-old, they live at Captain Scott, a large house in the New Forest. They're watched over day and night by their three mothers, and they don't tend to stray outside of the confines of the house, otherwise the locals tend to get upset. Every morning their dreams are written in the Book of Dreams, every day they learn from the Book of Knowledge, and every misstep, every wrongdoing is noted in the Book of Guilt. They're part of the Sycamore Homes Scheme created by Dr Roach. But the new Government has decided to wind the scheme down and normal family homes must be found for the boys. The boys aren't worried though. They dream of moving to the Big House in Margate, meeting up with their friends, eating candyfloss until they're sick and spending their days riding the fairground rides. Only special children get to go to the Big House and any day now, they're going to find leaflets on their pillows, confirming their place. Then the van will arrive and drive them to their forever home. But the Sycamore Homes façade is starting to crumble. As the boys begin to have more contact with the outside world they start to discover shocking things about their lives. About the medication they're made to take, about the illnesses they all suffer from, about their deceased parents. About everything they believe to be true...

Oh my goodness, THIS BOOK! Dark, sinister and full of foreboding. It all seems fairly normal (in a roundabout, slightly twisted way) to start with but the feeling that you're not seeing the whole picture, that something else is at play here is very hard to ignore. The newly elected Government have decided to do away with the Sycamore Homes Scheme. They've reduced the number of children left in the homes to a small number. Now, it's down to the Minister of Loneliness to find new families for the remaining children via a nationwide media campaign. What the Minister doesn't expect is to become rather fond of one of the triplets, Vincent. And it's Vincent's POV the reader experiences through a large proportion of the book.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Book of Guilt is dark, mysterious and utterly compelling. There's so much going on here. In amongst the chapters where Vincent shares his POV on life at Captain Scott, there are also chapters voiced by Nancy, a young girl of a similar age. It's hard to work out what links Nancy's story to the triplets. But over the course of the book the author reveals unexpected connections, meaning everything makes perfect sense by the end of novel. I believed whole heartedly in the young characters in the book. Their voices felt real to me. They're children, they're not aware of the evil that adults can do. And for me, that was one of the most terrifying things about this book. The utter trust they placed in their grown-ups that everything was normal. The belief they were safe. The lure of a child's 'dream come true' over their heads with the possibility of going to the Big House in Margate. Their innocence in the face of pure malevolence. All in all, I found The Book of Guilt to be a highly intriguing, shocking read. Gripping, unsettling and at times, really quite jaw-dropping. The lengths people will go to, the ethical barriers they're willing to cross....the mind boggles! Gloriously sinister, deeply unnerving and a book that it will be impossible to forget. Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Book of Guilt. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Review will be published on 3rd June 2025]

This gothic tale about triplets Vincent, Lawrence and William, living in a sprawling children’s home in the New Forest is original and engaging. Set in an alternative 1970s, featuring the Generation Game, the Two Ronnies and, to disturbing effect, Jim’ll fix it, it is evident from the start that there is something sinister about the circumstances that have brought the boys to the home. There is a further sense of unease that there had been a different outcome to the Second World War, albeit not a Hitler victory. The story is a bit slow to get going, but when it does, it really takes off and becomes difficult to put down. A disturbing and compelling story with a near-perfect balance of humour and horror, and for readers of a certain age, nostalgia for 1970s television.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Set in an alternative 1970s England, three brothers (triplets) are living in a home for boys that's population is dwindling. They are sickly and longing to get well enough to go to Margate, an idyllic seaside town that lives vividly in their imaginations. Of course, all is not as it seems. As the story unfolds - mostly through the eyes of the children - the world in which they live gets darker and darker. A biting tale of what happens to a society in which government-sanctioned "othering" occurs and the extent to which we are destined by our nature or our nurture. Atmospheric, dark yet hopeful.

This book fascinates from the start. What exactly is going on with the boys in the big house in the 70s? Why are their dreams so important? And what are the multiple medications they get trying to heal?
In ‘The Book of Guilt’ Catherine Chidgey creates an original, heartbreaking and terrifying alternate reality that keeps you deeply engrossed till the end. Highly recommended!
Thank you John Murray and Netgalley UK for the ARC.

Vincent, Lawrence and William are triplets. They live in a big house with three mothers: Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night. There used to be more boys, but they all got lucky. They were allowed to go to Margate, where they are living their best lives. The brothers learn from the Book of Knowledge; their dreams are written down in the Book of Dreams, and their misdeeds in the Book of Guilt. They live a secluded life, but this is about to change. They are allowed to go to the village to run errands, but the villagers look at them strangely and talk about them behind their backs. Then girls who live in a similar house to them start visiting to help them develop their social skills. However, one of the girls seems to know more about their lives.

I found the premise of the book intriguing. I liked the eerie atmosphere and the sense of foreboding. However, the book takes far too long to get anywhere. The story meanders and the pace is extremely slow. It took ages for the secrets to unfold, to the point where I almost lost interest. Nevertheless, I figured out most of the secrets myself; I had plenty of time to think about them while not much was happening. I never felt the urge to put the book up and read. In fact, I had to force myself to continue reading. I also could not connect with any of the characters. They all felt distant.

Everything was there to make this book a compelling and engaging read. I can see why it might resonate with other readers. But for me, something was lacking — a spark that would have kept me glued to the pages. However, the slow pacing and repetitive storytelling bored me more than it entertained me.

Catherine Chidgey has to be one of the most talented writers of today, her range, attention detail and beautiful writing style leaves me struggling to find another author comparable. From Nazi Germany to domestic abuse through the eyes of a bird, her novels are so diverse, captivating and a joy to read. The Book of Guilt might just be my favourite book of hers to date; a definite contender for best book of 2025.

The book is set in the UK in 1979 and Chidgey captures the history of this time brilliantly. William, Lawrence and Vincent are triplets and the last remaining residents of a Home that was part of the governments Sycamore Scheme. They are care for by three women, Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night. The boys do their chores, study a book where all their knowledge comes from, play and take their daily medicine and every morning their dreams are religiously recorded as are their sins. There are strong Never Let Me Go vibes from the setting and scenario the boys live in as we learn more about them, the scheme, their hopes and wishes and as the book progresses the secret of the scheme and their living set up is revealed.
From about the half way point, this book was impossible to put down. I was horrified and beguiled in equal measure. It is impossible to say too much without spoilers but this book captivated me from beginning to end. Could not recommend more.

Beholdeth my fav book of the year so far!! Wow what a book!

This is a dystopian/thriller set in the late 70s, we are quickly introduced to Vincent, William and Lawrence, triplet boys who live at Captain Scott House and are part of the Sycamore Program …. But just what is the Sycamore Program??

The writing kept me engaged throughout, early on it gave “Never Let Me Go” vibes however - controversial as it may be - I found The Book of Guilt much more intriguing and in my opinion better executed than NLMG.

Easily a 5⭐️ read and has piqued my interest in thr authors other work altho I have read this is slightly left field for her.

'The Book Of Guilt' is set in an alternative England in 1979. The triplets Vincent, Lawrence and William are the last residents of a mansion which is part of the Sycamore Scheme. They are cared for by Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night. Their dreams are being recorded daily in the Book of Dreams, they are being educated according to the (outdated) Book of Knowledge and any wrongdoings are recorded in the Book of Guilt. The Governmet is planning to abolish the scheme and put the remaining residents of all the houses into families. The boys are being eased into this with a resocialisation scheme by meeting girls from another house. But they start to become suspicious of what is really going on.
You get a very eerie and uncomfortable feeling reading this novel and it certainly has 'Never Let Me Go ' vibes. Lots of questions arise but everything becomes clear ( with some twists) in the end. It is a brilliant and captivating read and I would highly recommend it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC!

Last year I read Pet and was obsessed so when I heard she had a new one coming out I just knew it was a must read but then I read the blurb and did wonder if it would be my sort of book. I went in blind not having read any reviews and after a couple of chapters i was hooked, what on earth was I reading, where is this taking me ??!!
It's a hard one to review without giving away spoilers but you find yourself in an alternative 1979 England following a set of triplets living in a mansion which is part of the government's sycamore scheme.. Yes, weird comes to mind ! I don't want to say much more other than it's chilling, disturbing, thought provoking and also nostalgic (if you grew up in that era you will see mentions of Thatcher, Jim'll fix it, the dreamland of margate!).
One of the most unique original books I have read in a very long time , this woman can write !
Cannot wait to see what she comes up with next as her work is so diverse.

This is the first book I have read from this author and not one I would have picked up normally. I chose it based on a recommendation and I’m glad I did.

A slow start, this book does pick up in the second half and I found I was racing through as I wanted to find out what happened.

Triplets Vincent, William, and Lawrence live in a Sycamore Home, one of the last of a government run scheme. Looked after by three ‘Mothers’ they learn from an outdated book of knowledge, have their dreams recorded every morning and have their bad behaviour recorded in the book of guilt. They have dreams of going to Margate as many of the other children have done, enticed by the glossy brochure promising fun.
Outcast by the community it’s clear something isn’t right.
Meanwhile, Nancy is confined to her house with her parents, and there’s something strange going on.

As the book progresses, the sinister nature of these homes comes to light and there’s an uncomfortable, unsettling feeling throughout.

This is a well written book and despite the slow start it’s worth sticking with.

3.5 stars rounded to 3.

My first Catherine Chidgey book and it did not disappoint!! There is so much to unpack in this read, and perfect (if youre like me) for weird, wtf is happening book lovers.

I had no idea what was going to happen, and the story unravelled perfectly, the author definitely knows how to keep you hanging and desperate to start the next chapter. It also feels way too real in our day and age because I feel like this is a possibility with the use of AI etc.

A thrilling read that I’m adding to my 5 star list of 2025!

A period Never Let Me Go, in an alternative post-WWII world.

I could tell from the first pages that was what this was. It was dark, reading snippets of a different timeline, and gradually seeing events revealed for what they were.

In 1979, in a decrepit yet grand house, part of something called the 'Sycamore Scheme', identical triplets Vincent, Lawrence and William are taught from the Book of Knowledge each day, by Mothers Morning, Afternoon and Night. When they do wrong, their misdemeanours are recorded in the Book of Guilt. Each morning they are asked about their dreams, recorded religiously in the Book of Dreams. The boys daytime dreams revolve around finding the Margate magazine on their beds - to let them know it's their turn to be sent to Margate, by their descriptions a playground of funfair rides and candy floss like something out of Pinocchio...

Living alone as every other child has left already, Vincent guides us through their days, the wannabee vet Lawrence and slightly sadistic William, the new days when the boys meet girls from a similar Sycamore Home. They need socialising as the Homes are soon to close and families found for them all... though the boys already know the outside world fears them when they go out on small errands. Just who and what are they, and why do they inspire such reactions?

Their Spartan lifestyles are brutal - stickle bricks and a jigsaw to play with, rote learning and ethics lessons, gardening and bed making - for 13 year olds this can't last forever.

Their age makes a difference to the story, as the boys are hitting adolescence as well as a turning point in their understanding of their lives and situation. And there's a storyline running alongside the triplets of Nancy, herself living with two loving parents and seemingly unconnected to their narrative - the threads bringing the two stories together are pulled gently and took my breath away as realisation came to me on what Chidgey had created.

Really quite a scary concept, this. But so close to what could be real. And told with great assuredness and talent. The metaphors and comparison abound in this, the horror is all too clear, and it's a book I won't forget quickly.

Very confident writing, terrifying vision, powerful messages and ending.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

My thoughts —From the very first page to the final sentence, I couldn’t put this book down. It captivated, enthralled, and shocked me right through to the end.

“Come to Margate, you will have the best time.” That line hit home. As someone who knows Margate well and has recently visited, and who also knows the New Forest intimately, the setting felt vivid and immersive—an unforgettable sensory experience that added so much to the story.

But let’s talk about the book itself—wow. You’ll carry these three boys in your heart long after the final page. Raised in a strange, secluded institution, they are cared for by three women: Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon, and Mother Night. Each day, they read from the Book of Knowledge, confess their dreams upon waking, and when they misbehave, their sins are recorded in the Book of Guilt.

Prescribed meditations and treatments by the mysterious Dr. Roach are meant to “keep the bugs away”—but do the boys even have bugs? That’s just one of the many unsettling questions that slowly surface.

Everything begins to shift when they meet three girls during a socialisation event. For the first time, they begin to question their lives, their caretakers, and the truths they’ve been told. As the government moves to shut down homes like theirs, the cracks widen and the lies unravel.

This is an astonishing read—one that I won’t spoil further because I want you to experience it yourself. This author is fast becoming a favourite of mine; this is the third novel I’ve read, and once again, I’m completely wowed.