Book Review
One of Us by Elizabeth Day
One of Us is a brilliantly crafted novel that blends wit, humour, and keen insight. It delves deep into the intricacies of friendship, co-dependence, betrayal, jealousy, scandal, and revenge.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its use of multiple viewpoints, featuring four narrators who are all connected to Ben Fitzmaurice, a central character being hailed as the next Prime Minister.
The narrators include Martin, an old school friend turned adversary; Serena, Ben’s wife, who is in a rebellious mood after performing the dutiful neglected wife role for too long; Richard, a disgraced Member of Parliament out for revenge against Ben; Cosima, his passionate activist daughter; and Fliss, his sister. Each character is achingly real—flawed and complex.
I did not find any of the characters particularly likeable; however, I felt sympathy for Martin, a lecturer whose life is dominated by anger, resentment, and jealousy, primarily directed at Ben. His failure to move on from this toxic friendship is, unfortunately, quite sad.
What makes this book so captivating—I found myself unable to put it down and read it in one sitting—is its exploration of the age-old themes: entitlement, privilege, and the desperate measures people will go to maintain the status quo. The novel delves into the dynamics of power, the insidious nature of secrets and lies, and the murky world of politics. One could also argue that it intentionally examines the state of class in British society.
It was a true privilege to attend the event at the Trouble Club, where Elizabeth Day shared her insights about her novel and engaged with the audience. I won’t reveal any more spoilers, but I wholeheartedly encourage you to buy the book; it is an immensely entertaining read.
We found an excellent podcast for you to lisen in on Elizabeth Day talking about the book and life in general. Enjoy!
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