Summary
Miss Hayes has a new theory. She thinks my condition's caused by some traumatic incident from my past I keep deep-rooted in my mind. As soon as I come clean I'll flood out all these teats and it'll all be ok and I won't be scared of Them anymore. The truth id I can't think of any single traumatic childhood incident to tell her. I mean, there are plenty of bad memories - Herb's death, or the time I bit the hole in my tongue, or Finners Island, out on the boat with Sarah - but none of these are what caused the phobia. I've always had it. It's Them. I'm just scared of Them. It's that simple.
Review
I honestly do not know where to start with this review, I knew this was going to be a different read from my normal choice of novels, but this book has completely rendered me speechless. After completing the first chapter, I knew I wasn't going to move one inch until I had gotten some answers, but they never came, that is until we get to read some of the interviews with a Detective, oh, did I say Detective? That's right, though we are reading from Greg's perspective of how he sees things, we also get to know more about what happens, but all we get are more un-answered questions about the incident *sigh*
We all have had either a rough, amazing or an okay experience at school, and this novel tackles all those types. All the cliches at school and basically the whole idea of school making you want to role your eyes every time you get out bed. But that's the thing, after school is over we just want leave all those memories behind, to bury them so deep that you'll forget all about them. But for Greg it's not that easy going to school and the idea of "them" being everywhere, not once being in the safety of his own house unless it is his bedroom, sealed shut from everything.
It came to a point that the narrative and the POV it was written in didn't bother me, it was the story line that gripped me the most and that rarely happens. The concept behind "them" was simply outstanding, delving deep into the novel from a different characters point of view, someone who's not perfect, who has difficulties, who simply cannot fit in. I can go on about how amazing this debut novel is, but that will simply take away the element of surprise, this novel has to be read by all, not only is this a novel about Greg, this is a novel that will connect with you. James Rice has done an impeccable job making this novel realistic and for most, a novel they can relate to. The realism and the brutal honest truth of modern day society and families will shock you to the core. Alice and the Fly the next best debut novel by James Rice.
