Review: Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton
Louise is struggling to survive in New York; juggling a series of poorly paid jobs, renting a shabby flat, being cat-called 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 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?
REVIEW
A world that never sleeps in the city that never sleeps.
A social whirlwind whereeveryonetalkslikethis without pausing for breath. Or thought. Wild nights pass by in a blur of jewels, fuelled by champagne and drugs. Money is no object.
Gossip Girl collides with the works of Edith Wharton; take out the social media and Social Creature could just as easily be set in the 1920s; the excess, the decadence, poetry, opera houses, classical music - even flapper dresses are mentioned. It's a different world and way of life. It's dazzling, decadent, sparkling. But beneath all the frivolity lies a sense of something rotten, and its this contrast between light and dark that sets this novel apart. Upper East Siders are shallow, social creatures. Neither Louise nor Lavinia are likable, but you are soon lured into their world, seduced by the intoxicating atmosphere, and their story makes for dark, compelling reading.
If you want to go into this spoiler free I'd avoid any and all publicity about it. Let's just say its likened to a certain iconic literary thriller. You know relatively early on what's going to happen, but this only serves to heighten the tension and the growing sense of unease as the novel builds towards its crescendo. If anything it only gets better from here, as Louise strives to keep her secret hidden and maintain her social standing. The narrative is entirely from Louise's point of view, and has a breathless, frantic quality that completely reflects the events depicted, and the 'live fast die young' attitude of the socialites. This style won't be to everyone's taste but I found it really effective.
Dark, decadent and dramatic, Social Creature is a novel that will have everyone talking this summer.
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