Book Club Report #12: If We Were Villains

[ceruleanhail]

Discovery: Saw a friend's To-Read in Goodreads he book was eventually chosen as our October book because of its presumably spooky vibes.

What's It About?: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio tells of a story between a tightly knit group of seven actors studying Shakespeare in an elite art academy. In their final year, a casting change sowed discord between the group and changed the dynamics of their friendship, eventually leading to one of them being dead. The rest had to live on with an insidious secret and an ongoing mystery (was it an accident or was their friend murdered?) while convincing the police that they're innocent.

General Thoughts (Mild Spoilers):

• Feels like a lite (and more hopeful, depending on how the ending is interpreted) version of The Secret History by Donna Tartt.
• Beginning was hella confusing because it introduces so many characters at once that it took a while to know who is who.
• Mixed feelings with its writing style; it's semi-script style pays homage to Shakespeare works, but it feels a little lazy.
• Would totally be okay if the story focuses on the past instead of shifting timelines, but I assume that's to set the base that what's past is past, and to assure that all answers will be revealed later. 
• Probably would have enjoyed the book more if I could remember/read Shakespeare's works and themes.
• Enjoyed most of the characters and their eventual development. Quite like the push-and-pull between James/Oliver/Meredith.
• Some of the stuff the characters do are so stupid, but it's believably stupid coz they're young.
• James and Oliver! Is! So! Unfortunate! The feelings were without words yet it was portrayed so loudly! It's sad the confession happened at such unfortunate timing, but oof! The feels!
• Oliver and Meredith's relationship could have been simple and yet carries so much burden, fraught with too many questions. I never doubted Oliver's answers when Meredith asked (probably for the sake of the readers) in the end.
• The climax hits so hard D; So much feels ;_;
• Mixed feelings about the ending, but I'll take the hopeful interpretation.

Book Discussion:

(To be added)