This 2017 psychological drama is fabulous. My only criticism is that it could have been a little shorter (it's 400 pages). That said, it's written in five parts and each has a plot and a climax that sheds light on an event that has previously been hinted at, so perhaps it's already been trimmed to perfection.
The story follows Kit and his girlfriend Laura. Kit has spent his life studying and viewing solar eclipses. In 1999, he and Laura travelled to a festival in Cornwall to view an eclipse and Laura stumbled across a rape in progress. The aggressor, the son of a wealthy businessman, claimed it was consensual. The story follows the rape trial, and a dysfunctional relationship that develops between the victim Beth, and Kit and Laura. The relationship has led to Kit and Laura needing to change their identities and go into hiding.
There are some great plot twists, but the book offers much more than that. It provides fascinating insights into the world of eclipse chasers. There are also well-researched portrayals of characters who struggle with addiction and mental health problems. Finally, the book explores how difficult it is to remain anonymous in an age of smartphones and social networking, and how the internet can be used to present a face to the world.
