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Nina X
Nina X has never been outside. She has never met another child.
Nina X has no books, no toys and no privacy.
Nina X has no idea what the outside world is like.
Nina X has a lot to learn.
Nina X has no mother and no father; she has Comrade Chen, and Comrades Uma, Jeni and Ruth. Her closest emotional connection is with the birds she sees when she removes the plasterboard that covers her bedroom window. Comrade Chen has named her The Project; she is being raised entirely separated from the false gods of capitalism and the cult of the self. He has her record everything in her journal, to track her thoughts. To keep her ideology pure, her words are erased, over and over again. But that was before. Now Nina is in Freedom, and all the rules have changed. She has to remember that everything is opposite to what she was told, and yet Freedom seems to be a very confusing and dangerous place.
Nina X has no books, no toys and no privacy.
Nina X has no idea what the outside world is like.
Nina X has a lot to learn.
Nina X has no mother and no father; she has Comrade Chen, and Comrades Uma, Jeni and Ruth. Her closest emotional connection is with the birds she sees when she removes the plasterboard that covers her bedroom window. Comrade Chen has named her The Project; she is being raised entirely separated from the false gods of capitalism and the cult of the self. He has her record everything in her journal, to track her thoughts. To keep her ideology pure, her words are erased, over and over again. But that was before. Now Nina is in Freedom, and all the rules have changed. She has to remember that everything is opposite to what she was told, and yet Freedom seems to be a very confusing and dangerous place.
- GenresFiction
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2019
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439 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 4, 2019
This is a work of fiction inspired by the real life case of Katy Morgan-Davies, who from her birth to her escape at the age of 30, was imprisoned within a house in London by a weird Maoist collective led by a man called Aravindan Barakrishnan, who had a handful of followers, all women. Morgan-Davies was raised as an experiment into the blank slate hypothesis of human nature and was prevented from any contact with the outside world. The novel itself starts with a quote from Chairman Mao:
“On a blank sheet of paper free from any mark, the freshest and most beautiful characters can be written, the freshest and most beautiful pictures can be painted.”
The chapters alternate between Nina as a small child in the collective, and her life after her escape. In the period just after her escape Nina comes over as quite childlike, since due to her environment she has absolutely no life skills. She has also been taught never to use the word “I” so refers to herself in the third person, and this adds to the impression of a childlike personality. Early on I kept having to remind myself she was an adult. This innocence is though mixed with a capacity for sharp observation. In the quote below she refers to a woman she calls “Charity Sonia” who is the Director of a Women’s Aid Centre.
“Nina was worried about Charity Sonia because Charity Sonia felt very guilty about Nina being in the tower with people with complex needs and sometimes when people are feeling guilty they don’t like you as much because you made them know they have failed.”
The freedom that Nina has longed for turns out to be a challenging environment. She has a level of psychological scarring way beyond the understanding of the people she encounters. They are either well-meaning but ineffectual (the Women’s Aid Workers, the Police, doctors, social workers) or downright predatory (tabloid journalists and ambulance chasing lawyers). Through Nina’s eyes the reader is asked to think about what kind of “freedom” we really have.
The older women in the collective are appallingly mistreated by the leader (in the novel he is called “Comrade Chen”) yet remain slavishly devoted to him. This seems accurate in respect of real-life cults, and this aspect of the novel left me in pensive mood. A mix perhaps of a psychologically dominant personality combined with blind adherence to ideology.
Although the book deals with some very dark themes, the author lightens the mood with humour, mainly provided by a character called Cas, a support worker assigned to teach Nina life skills. She has a direct sense of humour and a very plain way of speaking. There’s also some satirical humour.
For me this novel packed an emotional punch, and I always rate a book highly when it can get me to engage with characters to that extent. It’s a compelling read. I might read Katy Morgan-Davies’ own memoir to see how it compares.
“On a blank sheet of paper free from any mark, the freshest and most beautiful characters can be written, the freshest and most beautiful pictures can be painted.”
The chapters alternate between Nina as a small child in the collective, and her life after her escape. In the period just after her escape Nina comes over as quite childlike, since due to her environment she has absolutely no life skills. She has also been taught never to use the word “I” so refers to herself in the third person, and this adds to the impression of a childlike personality. Early on I kept having to remind myself she was an adult. This innocence is though mixed with a capacity for sharp observation. In the quote below she refers to a woman she calls “Charity Sonia” who is the Director of a Women’s Aid Centre.
“Nina was worried about Charity Sonia because Charity Sonia felt very guilty about Nina being in the tower with people with complex needs and sometimes when people are feeling guilty they don’t like you as much because you made them know they have failed.”
The freedom that Nina has longed for turns out to be a challenging environment. She has a level of psychological scarring way beyond the understanding of the people she encounters. They are either well-meaning but ineffectual (the Women’s Aid Workers, the Police, doctors, social workers) or downright predatory (tabloid journalists and ambulance chasing lawyers). Through Nina’s eyes the reader is asked to think about what kind of “freedom” we really have.
The older women in the collective are appallingly mistreated by the leader (in the novel he is called “Comrade Chen”) yet remain slavishly devoted to him. This seems accurate in respect of real-life cults, and this aspect of the novel left me in pensive mood. A mix perhaps of a psychologically dominant personality combined with blind adherence to ideology.
Although the book deals with some very dark themes, the author lightens the mood with humour, mainly provided by a character called Cas, a support worker assigned to teach Nina life skills. She has a direct sense of humour and a very plain way of speaking. There’s also some satirical humour.
For me this novel packed an emotional punch, and I always rate a book highly when it can get me to engage with characters to that extent. It’s a compelling read. I might read Katy Morgan-Davies’ own memoir to see how it compares.
April 17, 2019
The name Shamima Begum inevitably springs to mind. This story about a young woman emerging from a political grouping – in this case Maoist – who ordinary people would consider mad is the central point of this book. The fact that the group is political, not religious, is not relevant. Nor is it relevant that it is a leftist group. It could be any group that sees itself as having the only solution to the world’s problems, and which is not prepared to listen to the opposing arguments. It could be any group that seeks to dominate every deal of its members’ lives. When it is religious, we call it a cult. When it is political, it is still a cult even though we do not use that word.
In the case of Nina X, who upbringing is a project to create the perfect human, untrammelled by capitalist thought. This is possibly drawn from Ewan Morrison’s own experience of such organisations although I very much hope that most of it is a product of his fertile imagination. What Ewan Morrison shows us is a whole series of damaged individuals with Nina X at the centre of the tale.
We do not know what caused Chen, Jeni, Ruth, Uma and the rest of the commune to become damaged, but we are shown how Nina X is damaged in great detail. She becomes a project for the others, to be brought in the “perfect” condition of not having a mother and a father, but being the child of everyone in the commune. This could be the concept that “every child is my child” and that all adults have a duty to assist in the upbringing of the children in their community. That, however, is not what happens. Nina X is the result of an attempt to do away with the concept of the family, and to replace it with the commune. Within all this are the concepts of self-criticism and of physical punishment for transgressions, and the punishment is inflicted by the rest of the community, including the children.
The significant point is that you are not allowed to criticise the central ideology of the group. The only criticism that is allowed is of your own failure to abide by the theory. You are never allowed to think that if the theory does not work, there may be something wrong with the theory. Ewan Morrison illustrates this point by a slight digression, discussing the campaign in 1950s China to eliminate birds. So many birds were killed by enthusiastic children that there was not a large enough bird population to eat insects, and a plague of Biblical proportions descended on China destroying the crops, resulting in millions dying in the subsequent famine. The birds had been identified as pests causing pollution and disease. What had not been thought through was the consequence of their destruction. And no-one dared to tell Chairman Mao that he was wrong.
The other part of this tale is that of the various people trying to deal with Nina’s case once she escapes from the commune. These are people who are simply drowning in the responsibilities that have been thrust upon them, without the necessary resources to deal with what is expected of them.
At the centre of everything is a bewildered woman, struggling with her life and trying to come to terms with her situation. This is not easy because of the damage that has been done to her. Ewan Morrison gives no real suggestion that she is going to recover and that everything will be all right in the end. Probably because he does not believe that it will.
This is a portrait of a young woman who has been damaged by the ideologues around her. That is why it is a relevant tale at the moment. That is why it must be read.
In the case of Nina X, who upbringing is a project to create the perfect human, untrammelled by capitalist thought. This is possibly drawn from Ewan Morrison’s own experience of such organisations although I very much hope that most of it is a product of his fertile imagination. What Ewan Morrison shows us is a whole series of damaged individuals with Nina X at the centre of the tale.
We do not know what caused Chen, Jeni, Ruth, Uma and the rest of the commune to become damaged, but we are shown how Nina X is damaged in great detail. She becomes a project for the others, to be brought in the “perfect” condition of not having a mother and a father, but being the child of everyone in the commune. This could be the concept that “every child is my child” and that all adults have a duty to assist in the upbringing of the children in their community. That, however, is not what happens. Nina X is the result of an attempt to do away with the concept of the family, and to replace it with the commune. Within all this are the concepts of self-criticism and of physical punishment for transgressions, and the punishment is inflicted by the rest of the community, including the children.
The significant point is that you are not allowed to criticise the central ideology of the group. The only criticism that is allowed is of your own failure to abide by the theory. You are never allowed to think that if the theory does not work, there may be something wrong with the theory. Ewan Morrison illustrates this point by a slight digression, discussing the campaign in 1950s China to eliminate birds. So many birds were killed by enthusiastic children that there was not a large enough bird population to eat insects, and a plague of Biblical proportions descended on China destroying the crops, resulting in millions dying in the subsequent famine. The birds had been identified as pests causing pollution and disease. What had not been thought through was the consequence of their destruction. And no-one dared to tell Chairman Mao that he was wrong.
The other part of this tale is that of the various people trying to deal with Nina’s case once she escapes from the commune. These are people who are simply drowning in the responsibilities that have been thrust upon them, without the necessary resources to deal with what is expected of them.
At the centre of everything is a bewildered woman, struggling with her life and trying to come to terms with her situation. This is not easy because of the damage that has been done to her. Ewan Morrison gives no real suggestion that she is going to recover and that everything will be all right in the end. Probably because he does not believe that it will.
This is a portrait of a young woman who has been damaged by the ideologues around her. That is why it is a relevant tale at the moment. That is why it must be read.
June 21, 2020
Nina X nie je vôbec ľahké čítanie. Pri pomyslení, že takéto niečo sa aspoň z časti naozaj dialo, som len neveriacky krútila hlavou. Ninu som spoznávala cez jej zápisky, v ktorých objasňovala život v sekte a neskôr aj mimo nej. Nemala meno, rodičov, hračky, kamarátov. Po úteku sa vo vonkajšom svete mnohých vecí desila a mnohým nerozumela. Bolo veľmi zaujímavé sledovať, aké priority a myšlienky má niekto, kto ani len netušil, čo je vonku za štyrmi bielymi stenami.
Nina X nie je pre všetkých, ale myslím, že stojí za prečítanie. Ja som ju mala prečítanú za tri dni a na jej konci som bola prekvapená, ako rýchlo sa to celé skončilo.
Je to kniha plná zamyslení, ktorá ponúka úplne iný pohľad na svet.
Nina X nie je pre všetkých, ale myslím, že stojí za prečítanie. Ja som ju mala prečítanú za tri dni a na jej konci som bola prekvapená, ako rýchlo sa to celé skončilo.
Je to kniha plná zamyslení, ktorá ponúka úplne iný pohľad na svet.
June 14, 2020
Ewan Morrison napísal túto knihu podľa skutočných udalostí z roku 2013 týkajúcich sa Londýnskej časti Lambeth. Vtedy sa tam trom ženám podarilo uniknúť z maoistickej sekty, ktorú viedol Aravindan Balakrishnan-Súdruh Bala (v knihe David Chen-Súdruh Chen). Jednou zo žien bola aj Katy-Morgan Davies "Rosie" (v knihe Projekt/Nina X), tú väznili v dome od jej narodenia.
Ťažko povedať, čo je realita a čo si autor vymyslel, každopádne v knihe pracuje s tým, že Projekt nemá meno a rodičov a musí byť vychovávaný pohlavne neutrálne. Nesmie ísť ďalej ako po smetné koše, lebo svet je vraj kontaminovaný rádioaktivitou. Projekt si musí od malička každý deň zapisovať udalosti do denníka, pričom my tieto zápisky z väznenia sledujeme zároveň s tými, ktoré si vedie na slobode ako Nina.
Kniha mi pripomínala Vzdelanú, až na to, že toto písal profesionálny autor a nie priamo dotknutá žena.
Bolo to veľmi drsné a neuveriteľné. Ako keby som čítala fiktívnu dystópiu, s tým, že tuto si postapokalyptickú spoločnosť vymyslí len banda maniakov, ktorí v duchu svojich pomýlených predstáv vychovávajú dieťa.
Existujú aj knihy, ktoré napísala priamo Katy- Morgan. Tie si určite zoženiem a porovnám s Ninou X.
Morrison každopádne dokázal veľmi zaujímavo spracovať ťažký príbeh a čitateľovi tak sprostredkoval zložité psychické rozpoloženie Projektu/Niny X.
Mimochodom, obálka od Grady je podľa mňa perfektná.
Ťažko povedať, čo je realita a čo si autor vymyslel, každopádne v knihe pracuje s tým, že Projekt nemá meno a rodičov a musí byť vychovávaný pohlavne neutrálne. Nesmie ísť ďalej ako po smetné koše, lebo svet je vraj kontaminovaný rádioaktivitou. Projekt si musí od malička každý deň zapisovať udalosti do denníka, pričom my tieto zápisky z väznenia sledujeme zároveň s tými, ktoré si vedie na slobode ako Nina.
Kniha mi pripomínala Vzdelanú, až na to, že toto písal profesionálny autor a nie priamo dotknutá žena.
Bolo to veľmi drsné a neuveriteľné. Ako keby som čítala fiktívnu dystópiu, s tým, že tuto si postapokalyptickú spoločnosť vymyslí len banda maniakov, ktorí v duchu svojich pomýlených predstáv vychovávajú dieťa.
Existujú aj knihy, ktoré napísala priamo Katy- Morgan. Tie si určite zoženiem a porovnám s Ninou X.
Morrison každopádne dokázal veľmi zaujímavo spracovať ťažký príbeh a čitateľovi tak sprostredkoval zložité psychické rozpoloženie Projektu/Niny X.
Mimochodom, obálka od Grady je podľa mňa perfektná.
April 9, 2019
‘Nina is twenty-eight years old and this is Nina’s second day of freedom…’
Based on the real-life story of Katy Morgan-Davies and the so-called Lambeth slavery case, Ewan Morrison has created an intriguing and moving novel. It reminded me of a mix of Mark Haddon’s ‘Curious Incident’, with its childlike view of the world something akin to an autistic view, and Emma Donoghue’s ‘Room’, which is much more related in terms of subject matter. I don’t know the ins and outs of how much Morrison has consent to write Katy’s story, or if he has met the original Katy, so this is not the place to discuss exploitation or manipulation. For me, it didn’t come across as either.
The novel’s structure is split between Nina as a child - known simply as The Project, trapped in a Marxist-Leninist cult led by Comrade Chen – and the older woman who has now escaped the cult and is trying to fit into a society whose rules and routines are totally alien to her. The cult has tried to literally beat the notion of individuality out of Nina, and the book plays on her referring to herself in the third-person, erasing and deleting references to herself as ‘I’ in her diary entries from her childhood. It takes some getting used to as a reader, and at times it verges on the annoying when the author uses different colour of type to indicate thoughts and words to be erased. I understand why he has chosen to do this, but it could be accused of simply being a gimmick. To be honest, I’m on the fence about that one.
Where the book succeeds is creating a naïve, childlike perspective of horrific events: abuse, rape, violence, brainwashing and death. And as Nina is caught up in the social work system as an adult, and the trappings of modern life – journalists and ‘no win no fee’ solicitors, medical and psychological tests, the benefit system, sheltered housing – her life in the ‘real world’ comes to be as much of an ordeal as her life in the cult. Whether it was intended to be, the book turns out to be a quite damning indictment of the system designed to protect the vulnerable in our society.
However, it is not unremittingly bleak; there are obvious opportunities for comedy as Nina comes to terms with modern life (TV, supermarkets, mobile phones, etc) and there is genuine compassion in some of the individuals who try to help her, Sonia and Cas in particular. It becomes, somehow, a coming-of-age story as 28-year old Nina starts to live her new life, and learns to come to terms with what her recovered memories of her life in the cult actually mean.
A rewarding read, if at times a little harrowing, that ends with some sort of positivity and hope for the future. 4 stars from me.
Based on the real-life story of Katy Morgan-Davies and the so-called Lambeth slavery case, Ewan Morrison has created an intriguing and moving novel. It reminded me of a mix of Mark Haddon’s ‘Curious Incident’, with its childlike view of the world something akin to an autistic view, and Emma Donoghue’s ‘Room’, which is much more related in terms of subject matter. I don’t know the ins and outs of how much Morrison has consent to write Katy’s story, or if he has met the original Katy, so this is not the place to discuss exploitation or manipulation. For me, it didn’t come across as either.
The novel’s structure is split between Nina as a child - known simply as The Project, trapped in a Marxist-Leninist cult led by Comrade Chen – and the older woman who has now escaped the cult and is trying to fit into a society whose rules and routines are totally alien to her. The cult has tried to literally beat the notion of individuality out of Nina, and the book plays on her referring to herself in the third-person, erasing and deleting references to herself as ‘I’ in her diary entries from her childhood. It takes some getting used to as a reader, and at times it verges on the annoying when the author uses different colour of type to indicate thoughts and words to be erased. I understand why he has chosen to do this, but it could be accused of simply being a gimmick. To be honest, I’m on the fence about that one.
Where the book succeeds is creating a naïve, childlike perspective of horrific events: abuse, rape, violence, brainwashing and death. And as Nina is caught up in the social work system as an adult, and the trappings of modern life – journalists and ‘no win no fee’ solicitors, medical and psychological tests, the benefit system, sheltered housing – her life in the ‘real world’ comes to be as much of an ordeal as her life in the cult. Whether it was intended to be, the book turns out to be a quite damning indictment of the system designed to protect the vulnerable in our society.
However, it is not unremittingly bleak; there are obvious opportunities for comedy as Nina comes to terms with modern life (TV, supermarkets, mobile phones, etc) and there is genuine compassion in some of the individuals who try to help her, Sonia and Cas in particular. It becomes, somehow, a coming-of-age story as 28-year old Nina starts to live her new life, and learns to come to terms with what her recovered memories of her life in the cult actually mean.
A rewarding read, if at times a little harrowing, that ends with some sort of positivity and hope for the future. 4 stars from me.
February 7, 2019
That this book was inspired by real events makes it all the more horrifying. It's brilliantly written and makes for compulsive reading. Nina's voice is as distinctive as it is heartbreaking. Morrison has (quite beautifully) explored and articulated the vagaries of human nature; plus the potential impact of environmental factors on child development and mental health. This is the type of novel which worms its way under your skin and stays with you forever. I am heartened (in our current culture of incessant blame and obsession with 'the patriarchy') that a man has told a woman's story so astutely. As a woman I don't feel 'appropriated’, or exploited, by the writer in the slightest. I feel heard and understood. It's a truly excellent read. Parallels with “The Wizard of Oz” are genius! Observation of DWP assessment criteria is the icing on the cake. I think that people generally don't consider how difficult it is to describe something you have never seen or experienced, and that is something which is perfectly portrayed throughout this book. My take away is that there is a great deal more to this novel than initially meets the eye. I sincerely hope that Ewan Morrison achieves the acclaim he deserves for this creative, unique, observant and poignant piece of work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2024
Sensational. There really is nothing else quite like this.
"This has been more than enough for one day."
You can say that again, Nina.
This book is not just great, it is one of the greats.
"This has been more than enough for one day."
You can say that again, Nina.
This book is not just great, it is one of the greats.
January 13, 2019
There were some really interesting bits in this book... the voice of a bewildered Nina and the writings of The Project especially.
Crazy stuff... but stuff that does happen.
Being moved around from Dr to Dr and house to house sounded reasonable... how did you deal with someone like Sonia,or indeed figure out exactly what was wrong with her.
I found the character of Cas not really fitting with rest of book... I'm guessing she was light relief from the child abuse,but it went a bit far I thought.
Definitely a book to talk about.
Crazy stuff... but stuff that does happen.
Being moved around from Dr to Dr and house to house sounded reasonable... how did you deal with someone like Sonia,or indeed figure out exactly what was wrong with her.
I found the character of Cas not really fitting with rest of book... I'm guessing she was light relief from the child abuse,but it went a bit far I thought.
Definitely a book to talk about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
It wasn't until after I finished reading Nina X that I became aware that it is based on real events, and Nina is based on a real person who faced horrifying cult brainwashing and mistreatment.
Ewan Morrison writes Nina, her reactions and confusions very well. His descriptions of Freedom and the real world through the eyes of Nina are terrific. And I thought his support characters were very realistic, especially Cas and Sonia.
3 1/2 stars.
Ewan Morrison writes Nina, her reactions and confusions very well. His descriptions of Freedom and the real world through the eyes of Nina are terrific. And I thought his support characters were very realistic, especially Cas and Sonia.
3 1/2 stars.
June 28, 2019
Spellbinding
This is a hard book to read at times because it is so powerful, dark and emotional. The writing grips you from the off and you find yourself in Nina’s mind, her world, her pain. Rarely have I read a book that has affected me so deeply. Amazing writing.
This is a hard book to read at times because it is so powerful, dark and emotional. The writing grips you from the off and you find yourself in Nina’s mind, her world, her pain. Rarely have I read a book that has affected me so deeply. Amazing writing.
October 28, 2023
We must prove once and for all, that the teenage emotions of secrecy, lying, vanity and lust are ideological constructs and not 'human nature ' or 'female nature'
p27
Communism never dies, it only sleeps and is awoken with a. new generation. p42
Nina X is easily overwhelmed.
That's easy to understand, considering that she was raised in isolation as the project of a group of comrades, sequestered in the bowels of an extremist cult. Now released to the free world, Nina is presented with an array of conflicting values and advice.
Don't think that you are dying when you have a panic attack - just take a pink pill. p140
For all that, Nina X is astonishingly resilient and insightful.
When people try to help you and they fail, then they start to hate you. p138
You think you are out of the basement but the basement is everywhere. p201
Yet this is not a dark book, based as it is on an actual subject, Katy Morgan Davies, who did not escap her confinement until she was 30. As is his wont, EM takes the plausible to unimaginable, often hilarious extremes.
This is more than enough for one day. p141
p27
Communism never dies, it only sleeps and is awoken with a. new generation. p42
Nina X is easily overwhelmed.
That's easy to understand, considering that she was raised in isolation as the project of a group of comrades, sequestered in the bowels of an extremist cult. Now released to the free world, Nina is presented with an array of conflicting values and advice.
Don't think that you are dying when you have a panic attack - just take a pink pill. p140
For all that, Nina X is astonishingly resilient and insightful.
When people try to help you and they fail, then they start to hate you. p138
You think you are out of the basement but the basement is everywhere. p201
Yet this is not a dark book, based as it is on an actual subject, Katy Morgan Davies, who did not escap her confinement until she was 30. As is his wont, EM takes the plausible to unimaginable, often hilarious extremes.
This is more than enough for one day. p141
January 6, 2025
This book is so well written...it's sometimes sad, funny and dark but the tonal shift is always really natural. There are also some really astute observations about human behaviour and western culture that are delivered in a really understated way, and a LOT of emotional gut punches.
I didn't learn until after I finished reading it that this novel was inspired by the real life case of a woman who was kept isolated from the world for years, which adds an extra level of horror and tragedy to the whole thing, but I feel like this story would stay with me even if I hadn't known that.
I didn't learn until after I finished reading it that this novel was inspired by the real life case of a woman who was kept isolated from the world for years, which adds an extra level of horror and tragedy to the whole thing, but I feel like this story would stay with me even if I hadn't known that.
January 19, 2019
REVIEW
Wasn’t sure about this title….I mean had Katy given permission for this book and spoken to the author? or is this book just a fictional story based on an element or two that this author has chosen to concentrate on based on what this author has read about Katy’s time within the cult and the possibilities of what problems she would have integrating back into society
I had extreme mixed feelings about reading this book which I think I can honestly say I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t already read CB. I would have taken Nina X and simply read it on the strength of its own blurb.
The cover is a bright eye-catching red with Nina X “painted” on it, which is a reference to the fact that every where in the cult home was white-washed. I think the little lonely figure half hiding, half sheltering under the X is a great visual for a scene within the book and the image also manages to put across how Nina X is feeling alone, scared and hiding. The genre I have seen listed for this book is general fiction, and I would say based on reading the “real Nina X” biography that this is book is a fictionalisation of part of her life, so it is fiction created around a real life person
To be honest at first I thought this book was a follow up to Caged Bird by Katy Morgan-Davies but it soon became apparent this was a fictionalised version of part of that book. This book concentrates on the period of time in Nina X’s life when she has gained her freedom and is the beginning of a lot of changes for her. This book covers how Nina meets her social worker Sonia and how Nina is sent to various professionals. The book illustrates how someone with complex needs like Nina X could so easily slip through the cracks between different government agencies.
I enjoyed reading the parts in the book around the character called Cas. Cas works for social care and drops in and helps or should I say attempts to help Nina learn how to be “free”. The things Cas needs to help teach Nina X are things we all do every day and probably take for granted or never give a second thought to, like walking to the local store to buy something for tea, making a snack, catching a bus. Nina struggles with the most simplistic tasks and the time Cas has with her is limited as of course she has other people to see/care for too. One of the larger problems Nina X has is attempting to learn how to interact with people as Nina has no idea of personal body space and boundaries. Nina X is still very child-like and had been deprived of physical contact. Meaning when she is feeling happy and wants to convey her gratitude, she may fling her arms around someone and kiss them. Nina X also reads lots of magazines with articles such as "how to make yourself more desirable for men" which she becomes engrossed in and tries to remember the whole article and what it said she needs to do.
Nina X struggles with not writing everything down a daily detailed diary like she had to do when living with her comrades in the cult. Nina X also finds it difficult to refer to herself as I, rather than “Nina X” or “the project”. Being in “Freedom” as Nina X calls it is a big scary place for her. I thought that “Charity Sonia” was depicted in a poor light in comparison to how the real Nina X refers to her in her own biography.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were that it was an interesting, eye opening book. It certainly makes you think of the saying "You never know what is going on behind closed doors". This one specifically says it is fiction based on true events, and having read the biography Nina X/Katy wrote I will say some names and circumstance have been adjusted.
My final thoughts were that I enjoyed reading it, but it had a lot of sections either the same as or similar to Caged Bird which I understand that it would have as its based on Katy's story but I also noticed that some of the names of key people were different and some of the things that happened in Katy's book have been tweaked which made it feel quite different. This book covers the period of life when Nina X/Katy first left/escaped the house and the comrades. It concentrates on Nina X/Katy's experiences with social services and the mental health interaction. This one does flash back to different episodes that occurred whilst Nina X/Katy were still in "captivity" and under the influence of the cult leader Comrade Chen.
Wasn’t sure about this title….I mean had Katy given permission for this book and spoken to the author? or is this book just a fictional story based on an element or two that this author has chosen to concentrate on based on what this author has read about Katy’s time within the cult and the possibilities of what problems she would have integrating back into society
I had extreme mixed feelings about reading this book which I think I can honestly say I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t already read CB. I would have taken Nina X and simply read it on the strength of its own blurb.
The cover is a bright eye-catching red with Nina X “painted” on it, which is a reference to the fact that every where in the cult home was white-washed. I think the little lonely figure half hiding, half sheltering under the X is a great visual for a scene within the book and the image also manages to put across how Nina X is feeling alone, scared and hiding. The genre I have seen listed for this book is general fiction, and I would say based on reading the “real Nina X” biography that this is book is a fictionalisation of part of her life, so it is fiction created around a real life person
To be honest at first I thought this book was a follow up to Caged Bird by Katy Morgan-Davies but it soon became apparent this was a fictionalised version of part of that book. This book concentrates on the period of time in Nina X’s life when she has gained her freedom and is the beginning of a lot of changes for her. This book covers how Nina meets her social worker Sonia and how Nina is sent to various professionals. The book illustrates how someone with complex needs like Nina X could so easily slip through the cracks between different government agencies.
I enjoyed reading the parts in the book around the character called Cas. Cas works for social care and drops in and helps or should I say attempts to help Nina learn how to be “free”. The things Cas needs to help teach Nina X are things we all do every day and probably take for granted or never give a second thought to, like walking to the local store to buy something for tea, making a snack, catching a bus. Nina struggles with the most simplistic tasks and the time Cas has with her is limited as of course she has other people to see/care for too. One of the larger problems Nina X has is attempting to learn how to interact with people as Nina has no idea of personal body space and boundaries. Nina X is still very child-like and had been deprived of physical contact. Meaning when she is feeling happy and wants to convey her gratitude, she may fling her arms around someone and kiss them. Nina X also reads lots of magazines with articles such as "how to make yourself more desirable for men" which she becomes engrossed in and tries to remember the whole article and what it said she needs to do.
Nina X struggles with not writing everything down a daily detailed diary like she had to do when living with her comrades in the cult. Nina X also finds it difficult to refer to herself as I, rather than “Nina X” or “the project”. Being in “Freedom” as Nina X calls it is a big scary place for her. I thought that “Charity Sonia” was depicted in a poor light in comparison to how the real Nina X refers to her in her own biography.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were that it was an interesting, eye opening book. It certainly makes you think of the saying "You never know what is going on behind closed doors". This one specifically says it is fiction based on true events, and having read the biography Nina X/Katy wrote I will say some names and circumstance have been adjusted.
My final thoughts were that I enjoyed reading it, but it had a lot of sections either the same as or similar to Caged Bird which I understand that it would have as its based on Katy's story but I also noticed that some of the names of key people were different and some of the things that happened in Katy's book have been tweaked which made it feel quite different. This book covers the period of life when Nina X/Katy first left/escaped the house and the comrades. It concentrates on Nina X/Katy's experiences with social services and the mental health interaction. This one does flash back to different episodes that occurred whilst Nina X/Katy were still in "captivity" and under the influence of the cult leader Comrade Chen.
July 3, 2019
From the initial description of Nina X, I thought it was dystopian fiction. After all there are the words, ‘project’ ‘freedom’ Even the fact that there’s an ‘X’ in the title gave the impression that Nina was some sort of robot (10th generation).
But I got something even better.
Followers of this blog know that I am a fan of dystopias but I like books about cults even more and Nina X is precisely that.
Nina is the result of an experiment to create a human being untainted by commercialism. She brought up equally by four women, led by a commander who bases his cult on the teachings of Mao Zedong. As a result Nina, has stunted intelligence. She manages to be found and then she has to adapt to the ‘real world’
Nina X discusses a lot of ethical issues. One example is if reality or freedom, as Nina calls it, is as bad as the restrictive cult she lived in. Whether separating oneself from the world actually creates purity. How much suffering can people take? is being confined a form of being free? Is knowing oneself the actual way of becoming a functioning human being? Instead of ramming these questions in your face, Morrison uses Nina as a vehicle and these issues are discussed through Nina’s thoughts and symbolic observations.
Nina herself is unique. With her rudimentary knowledge of the way people think and material objects she’ll make the reader laugh and cry with her. Plus her grasp of the English language is unlike anything I’ve ever read. At times I was reminded of Charlie Gordon in Daniel Keyes Flowers for Algernon but Nina’s use of language is slightly richer.
Nina X ticks off all my boxes. Clever, great characters and a strong plot. This is an addictive read.
But I got something even better.
Followers of this blog know that I am a fan of dystopias but I like books about cults even more and Nina X is precisely that.
Nina is the result of an experiment to create a human being untainted by commercialism. She brought up equally by four women, led by a commander who bases his cult on the teachings of Mao Zedong. As a result Nina, has stunted intelligence. She manages to be found and then she has to adapt to the ‘real world’
Nina X discusses a lot of ethical issues. One example is if reality or freedom, as Nina calls it, is as bad as the restrictive cult she lived in. Whether separating oneself from the world actually creates purity. How much suffering can people take? is being confined a form of being free? Is knowing oneself the actual way of becoming a functioning human being? Instead of ramming these questions in your face, Morrison uses Nina as a vehicle and these issues are discussed through Nina’s thoughts and symbolic observations.
Nina herself is unique. With her rudimentary knowledge of the way people think and material objects she’ll make the reader laugh and cry with her. Plus her grasp of the English language is unlike anything I’ve ever read. At times I was reminded of Charlie Gordon in Daniel Keyes Flowers for Algernon but Nina’s use of language is slightly richer.
Nina X ticks off all my boxes. Clever, great characters and a strong plot. This is an addictive read.
December 5, 2019
There's a quote on the cover of Nina X from Ian Rankin. He says 'Sensational. Like Nothing I've ever read."
I agree with every word. In fact, I'd just like to say those words and leave it there. Nothing I can say in this review would ever do this incredible novel justice. It's utterly compelling, it's frightening, it made my blood run cold at times. It also made me smile. It's one of those books that you really do find difficult to put down.
I believe that Morrison's Nina X is loosely based upon the case of Aravindan Balakrishnan who was jailed in 2016 for abusing and mistreating the women who were part of the Maoist cult that he led in London. I've always had something of a strange fascination about cults, and what makes people give up everything to become part of one, and indeed, what reason anyone has to create one and control a group of people.
Nina X is twenty-eight years old when she leaves the house she grew up in for the very first time. Her story is told through her jotters; those written whilst she was still in the house, and those written since she became free.
It did take me a little while to settle into the structure and style of this novel. Although told in the first person, Nina often refers to herself as 'The Project'; for that was her name; and that's what all of her 'Comrades' called her.
Nina is Comrade Chen's project. She's been brought up by the female comrades; not knowing which of them, if any is her mother, and her father is never spoken of. Nina has never been to school, or to the doctor, or the dentist. Her only connection with the outside world are the birds that she sees if she dares to pull back the board that covers her window.
Then Nina is in 'Freedom' and it is then that her education really begins. As she realises, slowly that rain is not radiation and not everyone is a 'fascist Pig'.
This is an utterly convincing novel that will stay in my mind for a very long time. Ewan Morrison's creation of characters is spellbinding; from 'Charity Sonya' who really only wants to help, to Comrade Chen who has brainwashed and abused everyone he comes across.
Seeing the world through Nina's eyes is often heartbreaking for her, and for the reader but there's also an element of humour and warmth that add so much depth to what could potentially be such a dark and dismal tale.
I adored this book. It is extraordinary, absorbing, disturbing and really quite marvellous.
I agree with every word. In fact, I'd just like to say those words and leave it there. Nothing I can say in this review would ever do this incredible novel justice. It's utterly compelling, it's frightening, it made my blood run cold at times. It also made me smile. It's one of those books that you really do find difficult to put down.
I believe that Morrison's Nina X is loosely based upon the case of Aravindan Balakrishnan who was jailed in 2016 for abusing and mistreating the women who were part of the Maoist cult that he led in London. I've always had something of a strange fascination about cults, and what makes people give up everything to become part of one, and indeed, what reason anyone has to create one and control a group of people.
Nina X is twenty-eight years old when she leaves the house she grew up in for the very first time. Her story is told through her jotters; those written whilst she was still in the house, and those written since she became free.
It did take me a little while to settle into the structure and style of this novel. Although told in the first person, Nina often refers to herself as 'The Project'; for that was her name; and that's what all of her 'Comrades' called her.
Nina is Comrade Chen's project. She's been brought up by the female comrades; not knowing which of them, if any is her mother, and her father is never spoken of. Nina has never been to school, or to the doctor, or the dentist. Her only connection with the outside world are the birds that she sees if she dares to pull back the board that covers her window.
Then Nina is in 'Freedom' and it is then that her education really begins. As she realises, slowly that rain is not radiation and not everyone is a 'fascist Pig'.
This is an utterly convincing novel that will stay in my mind for a very long time. Ewan Morrison's creation of characters is spellbinding; from 'Charity Sonya' who really only wants to help, to Comrade Chen who has brainwashed and abused everyone he comes across.
Seeing the world through Nina's eyes is often heartbreaking for her, and for the reader but there's also an element of humour and warmth that add so much depth to what could potentially be such a dark and dismal tale.
I adored this book. It is extraordinary, absorbing, disturbing and really quite marvellous.
September 21, 2020
A brilliant read about a girl who has been brought up in a commune, known as The Collective, and brainwashed with communist beliefs and denied the chance to interact with the outside world at all, to the point where she believes radiation will get her if she goes outside and she can only refer to herself in the third person, or as The Project. As the story moves along at break neck speed, the reader is pulled along with it, finding more and more out about The Collective, about Nina's role in it and her relationship to the other comrades, and how she was treated, eventually spending more than a year locked in the basement due to her repeated perceived transgressions against the ideology of the group and due to the shame of the leader, Comrade Chen, who believes he is her father, after forcing the females comrades to have sex with him. Surprisingly, there are lots of very funny moments as the narrative switches between Nina's time as a member of the Collective and the present day as she tries to adjust to normal life in Freedom, as she terms it. Her childish language for things lends the narrative a realistic and unique way of storytelling, which I really enjoyed. One part which really sticks with me is towards the end of the book as she is coming round from her suicide attempt after she feels she'll never adjust and her mind is warped from the comrades making her erase things so she doesn't know what is real and what is not, and she feeds the birds in the hospital garden with an elderly man who doesn't even like them but continues to do so because his dead wife always liked to when she was alive. This is the moment that Nina realises she can in fact feel empathy, despite being told by a doctor that she cannot, and it is a beautiful moment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
This is a disturbing but poignant novel which focuses on ‘The Project’ (the protagonist, later re-named Nina), her life in a cult-like Maoist commune, and her attempt to integrate and ‘become human’ on achieving ‘Freedom’. The narrative is presented in a series of flashbacks (through the medium of the diary entries that she wrote in jotters) which are interspersed with accounts from Nina’s present life, a form which enables the effective re-telling of events from The Project’s childhood, including a death of one of the ‘Comrades’. Morrison’s depiction of both of Nina’s worlds (The Collective and the outside ‘normal’ world) convey her fear very well.
There are dark themes of child and sexual abuse, as well as self-harm, but Morrison deals with them sensitively. His language is powerful and emotional eliciting pathos in the reader for Nina in her frightening situations. It also highlights the plight of those with mental illness – Morrison parallels the mental hospital with The Collective in its strict ruled housing of the powerless and vulnerable. The language, initially childlike and primitive (and a little annoying at first), evolves into a more adult form as Nina shakes off her former identity (or lack of it) and becomes her own person. It’s a great book.
There are dark themes of child and sexual abuse, as well as self-harm, but Morrison deals with them sensitively. His language is powerful and emotional eliciting pathos in the reader for Nina in her frightening situations. It also highlights the plight of those with mental illness – Morrison parallels the mental hospital with The Collective in its strict ruled housing of the powerless and vulnerable. The language, initially childlike and primitive (and a little annoying at first), evolves into a more adult form as Nina shakes off her former identity (or lack of it) and becomes her own person. It’s a great book.
August 1, 2020
The narration of the book operates via diary (or 'jotter') entries by a woman named Nina who is now 28 and who has just escaped a cult-like 'collective' where she was born and raised. 'The collective' is a dwindling group of people who live in a building in an urban environment but Nina has been almost completely isolated from the outside world which she has been taught to think of as dangerous and threatening. The book opens with the first jotter entry which is written by Nina after her escape from the collective when she is being cared for by social workers who are trying to work out the trajectory of her past and what has happened to her. The plot jumps between the diary entry of her early adolescent years and the days and weeks of her first taste of freement. It explores the possibilities of the impact of being raised in the contemporary world and yet isolated from it. Can we be socialised to think in a certain way? Can we create a ideal society? Are good aims enough? The book is intense with sections high in suspense but there is plenty of humour laced right through it too. I adored this extraordinary book and will be recommending it to my book club - I reckon it has the ingredients for a scintillating book club conversation.
November 1, 2022
Nina X
By Ewan Morrison
“When you write: Nina is locked down here, it doesn’t feel as bad as when you write I am locked down here.”
4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nina X is based on the true story of Katy Morgan-Davies. Katy was born into a cult and kept hidden from the world for 30 years. She was named “Project Prem” and raised without influence from other children, a formal education, or any contact from anyone outside of the small cult with whom she lived. It’s a fascinating story, and I am planning on reading her memoir.
Nina X is told from Nina’s perspective and this is done really well. Nina has been programmed to refer to herself as “The Project” and through the book we see her struggle with changing from “The Project”, to “Nina” and finally to “I”. It could do with a good edit as there are spelling and grammatical errors, but I found it a compelling read nonetheless. It starts with Nina’s escape from the cult and her first experience of the outside world. It’s a heartbreaking and emotional read but Morrison lightens this with engaging characters and well placed humour.
Definitely a must read of you are interesting in cults or child development. Watch out for the trigger warnings though if you have any sensitivities.
By Ewan Morrison
“When you write: Nina is locked down here, it doesn’t feel as bad as when you write I am locked down here.”
4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nina X is based on the true story of Katy Morgan-Davies. Katy was born into a cult and kept hidden from the world for 30 years. She was named “Project Prem” and raised without influence from other children, a formal education, or any contact from anyone outside of the small cult with whom she lived. It’s a fascinating story, and I am planning on reading her memoir.
Nina X is told from Nina’s perspective and this is done really well. Nina has been programmed to refer to herself as “The Project” and through the book we see her struggle with changing from “The Project”, to “Nina” and finally to “I”. It could do with a good edit as there are spelling and grammatical errors, but I found it a compelling read nonetheless. It starts with Nina’s escape from the cult and her first experience of the outside world. It’s a heartbreaking and emotional read but Morrison lightens this with engaging characters and well placed humour.
Definitely a must read of you are interesting in cults or child development. Watch out for the trigger warnings though if you have any sensitivities.
April 17, 2021
The topic of this book will likely not broadly appeal to folks, a child born into a cult and raised in isolation...often deprived of social interaction, food, a bed, and using a bucket for a bathroom. All that said, somehow the author makes this story an engaging and moving one that keeps you turning the pages. Raised by 'comrade' women under the spell of a cult leader 'Chen', Nina....trained to never say 'I' or 'mine', but rather always think in terms of 'we' and 'ours'...tries desperately to adapt to the external environment she suddenly finds herself in. Various social workers and hospital staff attempt to understand her situation and help her....sometimes successfully and other times failing miserably. Viewing our lives through the eyes of Nina-X will cause you to groan with frustration and even laugh at times, despite the dark topic of the book. It would be hard to necessarily recommend this book to a wide group of people, but I did really enjoy it for certain....as did all those in my UK based book group.
June 30, 2022
4.5 stars
Wow. This is a challenging read, covering some very dark topics. It is done in the most unique way, and I have never read anything quite like it. I did find the first couple of chapters difficult, and wasn't quite sure what was going on. Once I got used to the style though I was hooked and devoured the rest.
I don't think I can describe it as an enjoyable read because of the subject matter, but I wanted to read it and cared about what happened. I am glad I got this book as part of a surprise box subscription, as I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. I'm really pleased I have experienced it.
I noticed there was an audiobook version, but not sure how this would translate... Without spoilers there are different text shades in the written book which I'm not sure how they would communicate via voice? If anyone has listened to the audiobook I'd love to know!
Overall a powerful and unique read that will stick with me!
Wow. This is a challenging read, covering some very dark topics. It is done in the most unique way, and I have never read anything quite like it. I did find the first couple of chapters difficult, and wasn't quite sure what was going on. Once I got used to the style though I was hooked and devoured the rest.
I don't think I can describe it as an enjoyable read because of the subject matter, but I wanted to read it and cared about what happened. I am glad I got this book as part of a surprise box subscription, as I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. I'm really pleased I have experienced it.
I noticed there was an audiobook version, but not sure how this would translate... Without spoilers there are different text shades in the written book which I'm not sure how they would communicate via voice? If anyone has listened to the audiobook I'd love to know!
Overall a powerful and unique read that will stick with me!
July 15, 2021
#NinaX by #EwanMorrisonAuthor
I got this book in my #aboxofstories and I'm glad I did.
This is the story of the Project Nina who grows up in a "communist" cult called the Collective. It is written as journal entries, which are partially erased by her comrades when she writes capitalist ideas, and and author uses to faded writing technique to do this. The journals continue in 2018 when she has freedom and is learning more about herself. What I found particularly interesting was how we see the character react to people and situations and how she changes. This is the story of her journey, her submission, her development and her growth as a person.
I got this book in my #aboxofstories and I'm glad I did.
This is the story of the Project Nina who grows up in a "communist" cult called the Collective. It is written as journal entries, which are partially erased by her comrades when she writes capitalist ideas, and and author uses to faded writing technique to do this. The journals continue in 2018 when she has freedom and is learning more about herself. What I found particularly interesting was how we see the character react to people and situations and how she changes. This is the story of her journey, her submission, her development and her growth as a person.
November 15, 2019
Incredible, haunting, gut wrenching read.
Once you get into the way this book is written it will grip you until you've finished it.
It is not always an easy read but it is a vital one to add to your 'read' collection of you enjoy complex, flawed, real characters and a unique thought provoking story.
Once you get into the way this book is written it will grip you until you've finished it.
It is not always an easy read but it is a vital one to add to your 'read' collection of you enjoy complex, flawed, real characters and a unique thought provoking story.
January 29, 2020
The narrator’s voice didn’t connect with me immediately, but after about 30 pages or so, I could feel myself submerging into the text. It’s a clever novel with a lot to say but subtly executed. The characters are believable and Nina’s voice resonates. The dexterous text mark this novel as Ewan Morrison’s best to date. Very powerful in places. Nice work.
October 5, 2021
I would describe this book as Eleanor Oliphant if she grew up in a cult. It’s gripping and fast paced, clever, interesting. The narration is unusual - some might find it annoying - but it really adds to the story, and the pain and frustration you feel both for the main character and also sometimes because of her.
August 26, 2023
Nina X has spent all her childhood years captive within a commune of women and the leader Comrade Chen. When she finally escapes, the story switches between life in captivity and life in the present trying to adjust and be free from the brain washing and conditioning. Incredible book made even more poignant and shocking by the fact it is based on a true story of living within a Maoist cult.
November 30, 2019
Nina wächst von Geburt an in einer Kommune auf und darf das Haus nicht verlassen. Sie ist eingesperrt und wird von einem Führer und vier Anhängerinnen großgezogen und wird nur "Das Projekt" genannt. Sie kennt das draußen nicht. Im Alter von 28 Jahren ist sie plötzlich im modernen London in Freiheit und muss nicht nur das Leben, sondern auch erst einmal sich selbst kennenlernen.
Wie es Nina geht und was sie fühlt erfahren wir in Tagebuchform, die sie schon immer geschrieben hat. Wir wechseln zwischen früher und heute und lesen auch so nach und nach, was sie in dieser Sekte wirklich alles erleben musste. Außerdem ist ihr altes Tagebuch zensiert, der Leser sieht diese Stellen aber quasi radiert.
Alles in allem fand ich die Geschichte großartig, aber auch sehr beklemmend und vor allem musste man sich sehr an die Sprache gewöhnen. Ich tat mir sehr schwer beim lesen und bin auch nicht wirklich warm mit Nina geworden. Kein Buch, das man mal eben in einem Rutsch wegliest. Ich habe lange gebraucht. Allerdings musste ich viel nachdenken und fand es klasse, dass einem auch Alltagsprobleme, an die man nie gedacht hätte nahegelegt werden.
Wie es Nina geht und was sie fühlt erfahren wir in Tagebuchform, die sie schon immer geschrieben hat. Wir wechseln zwischen früher und heute und lesen auch so nach und nach, was sie in dieser Sekte wirklich alles erleben musste. Außerdem ist ihr altes Tagebuch zensiert, der Leser sieht diese Stellen aber quasi radiert.
Alles in allem fand ich die Geschichte großartig, aber auch sehr beklemmend und vor allem musste man sich sehr an die Sprache gewöhnen. Ich tat mir sehr schwer beim lesen und bin auch nicht wirklich warm mit Nina geworden. Kein Buch, das man mal eben in einem Rutsch wegliest. Ich habe lange gebraucht. Allerdings musste ich viel nachdenken und fand es klasse, dass einem auch Alltagsprobleme, an die man nie gedacht hätte nahegelegt werden.
August 6, 2020
Could not put it down
A very well written story of a girl coming out of a cult. Very well researched, with he right level of emotions and not too soppy.makes you wonder how people can brainwash others and how cult members don't see the harm it causes. A good read
A very well written story of a girl coming out of a cult. Very well researched, with he right level of emotions and not too soppy.makes you wonder how people can brainwash others and how cult members don't see the harm it causes. A good read
March 20, 2021
A fascinating story of a child born and raised in a cult, locked away from the world and fed lies and propaganda from 'the collective'. The author really brings Nina's fear and bewilderment to life. The story is even more shocking as it is based around a real life case.
October 9, 2021
This is not an easy read, not just for the content, but also the style. But, my God, is it worth it! I’m not going to spoil it, but if you are interested in psychology, you should read it. I am now an emotional wreck!
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