I just finished reading Ella Berman’s novel Before We Were Innocent, so I’m ready to give you my book review. The short answer? Read it. It’s a page turner and will keep your interest throughout. Like many of the books in Reese Witherspoon’s book club, it’s a good read that won’t disappoint.
The long answer? I couldn’t decide whether to give this novel 4 stars (a great read I’d enthusiastically recommend to all my friends) or 3 1/2 stars (a fun beach read but not impactful). However, a funny thing happened since I turned over the last page a week ago. I kept thinking about it – the complicated relationships of the characters, the dance teenage girls do as they maneuver through growing pains into adulthood, and how a single event can change the trajectory of a person’s entire life.
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This book tells the story of three best friends who travel to Greece the summer after their high school graduation but only two return. Ten years later, these two women are still grappling with their friend’s tragic death and the fall-out. It reminded me a bit of the Amanda Knox case, and it lured me through its pages like a John Grisham mystery. One review I came across accurately stated “the emotional bonds forged in youth can define people’s lives long afterward.” But the most memorable comment I’ve read about this little book is this: “The truth depends on who you ask…”
Bottom line – Before We Were Innocent is a worthy read and an excellent choice for book club discussions.
