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The Eighth Girl
One woman, multiple personas.
But which one is telling the truth?
Beautiful. Damaged. Destructive. Meet Alexa Wú, a brilliant yet darkly self-aware young woman whose chaotic life is manipulated and controlled by a series of alternate personalities. Only three people know about their her shrink Daniel; her stepmother Anna; and her enigmatic best friend Ella. The perfect trio of trust.
When Ella gets a job at a high-end gentleman’s club, she catches the attention of its shark-like owner and is gradually drawn into his inner circle. As Alexa’s world becomes intimately entangled with Ella’s, she soon finds herself the unwitting keeper of a nightmarish secret. With no one to turn to and lives at stake, she follows Ella into London’s cruel underbelly on a daring rescue mission. Threatened and vulnerable, Alexa will discover whether her multiple personalities are her greatest asset, or her most dangerous obstacle.
Electrifying and breathlessly compulsive, The Eighth Girl is an omnivorous examination of life with mental illness and the acute trauma of life in a misogynist world. With bingeable prose and a clinician’s expertise, Chung’s psychological debut deftly navigates the swirling confluence of identity, innocence, and the impossible fracturing weights that young women are forced to carry, causing us to Does the truth lead to self-discovery, or self-destruction?
494 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2020
285 people are currently reading
12013 people want to read
About the author
Maxine Mei-Fung Chung
2 books181 followersMaxine Mei-Fung Chung is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and training psychotherapist.
She lectures on trauma, gender and sexuality, clinical dissociation, and attachment theory at the Bowlby Centre and was awarded the Jafar Kareem Bursary for her work supporting people from ethnic minorities experiencing isolation and mental health problems.
Originally trained in the arts, she previously worked as a creative director for ten years at Condé Nast, The Sunday Times, and The Times (London).
Maxine completed the Faber Academy advanced novel-writing course and currently works in private practice, where she has a particular interest in the creative feminine, advocating for women and girls finding a voice. She lives in London with her son. The Eighth Girl is her debut novel.
She lectures on trauma, gender and sexuality, clinical dissociation, and attachment theory at the Bowlby Centre and was awarded the Jafar Kareem Bursary for her work supporting people from ethnic minorities experiencing isolation and mental health problems.
Originally trained in the arts, she previously worked as a creative director for ten years at Condé Nast, The Sunday Times, and The Times (London).
Maxine completed the Faber Academy advanced novel-writing course and currently works in private practice, where she has a particular interest in the creative feminine, advocating for women and girls finding a voice. She lives in London with her son. The Eighth Girl is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 326 reviews
March 5, 2020
This is not what I expected! I was so intrigued to read something original, mind bending, thrilling but I got something meh, hmmm okay not bad but not so good either, in Italian let’s say “quasi quasi” kind of psychological fiction not a thriller because there is nothing surprising makes you sit at the edge of your seat and bite your fresh manicured nails, gives you heavy breathing!
I loved everything written or adapted into movie about “Multiple personality disorder”. I watched JamesMcAvoy’s “Split” 100 times, I even watched “Glass” 3 times ( I hated it but I watched more than one time because see more McAvoy’s craziness and his transformation to the Beast!). As novels: I read several times “Sybil” and I also recommend, JB Salsbury’s “Split” (Of course I also visualize hero as James McAvoy’s kilt wearing version!!!), Liz Coley’s “Pretty Girl 13”, Alessandra Torre’s okay I’m stopping at here because if I tell you the book’s name it will mean I also give a very big spoiler to ruin the surprise (but I think most of you got which book I’m talking about!)
I’m giving my three, it didn’t blow my mind stars and forming my unpopular, stop throwing at me rooted tomatoes and plan to exile me to the minority purgatory review!
The story introduces us Alexa Wu suffering who has different personalities make her feel like there are a big crowd of different people reside in her brain and share her body. But the way of telling story just irritated me. There was something raw, awkward and compelling to empathize with the character. I have to admit I learned so many things about this psychological illness.
Alexa hangs out with best friend Ella at a gentlemen’s club named “Electra” and the entire story takes place between the closed doors of the bar. Alexa’s different personalities start to show themselves and create scenes including so much emotional turmoil, hysterical outbursts. There is nothing surprising, breathtaking, twisty or mysterious. This is a good approach from different perspective to the definition of the illness. The good thing is I didn’t get bored but the bad thing about it, I was waiting some deliciously exciting, mysterious, puzzling story but unfortunately I couldn’t get it which made me a little disappointed. But writing is still promising and I want to give more chances to upcoming works of the author.
Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for sharing this ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.
I loved everything written or adapted into movie about “Multiple personality disorder”. I watched JamesMcAvoy’s “Split” 100 times, I even watched “Glass” 3 times ( I hated it but I watched more than one time because see more McAvoy’s craziness and his transformation to the Beast!). As novels: I read several times “Sybil” and I also recommend, JB Salsbury’s “Split” (Of course I also visualize hero as James McAvoy’s kilt wearing version!!!), Liz Coley’s “Pretty Girl 13”, Alessandra Torre’s okay I’m stopping at here because if I tell you the book’s name it will mean I also give a very big spoiler to ruin the surprise (but I think most of you got which book I’m talking about!)
I’m giving my three, it didn’t blow my mind stars and forming my unpopular, stop throwing at me rooted tomatoes and plan to exile me to the minority purgatory review!
The story introduces us Alexa Wu suffering who has different personalities make her feel like there are a big crowd of different people reside in her brain and share her body. But the way of telling story just irritated me. There was something raw, awkward and compelling to empathize with the character. I have to admit I learned so many things about this psychological illness.
Alexa hangs out with best friend Ella at a gentlemen’s club named “Electra” and the entire story takes place between the closed doors of the bar. Alexa’s different personalities start to show themselves and create scenes including so much emotional turmoil, hysterical outbursts. There is nothing surprising, breathtaking, twisty or mysterious. This is a good approach from different perspective to the definition of the illness. The good thing is I didn’t get bored but the bad thing about it, I was waiting some deliciously exciting, mysterious, puzzling story but unfortunately I couldn’t get it which made me a little disappointed. But writing is still promising and I want to give more chances to upcoming works of the author.
Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for sharing this ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.
November 5, 2019
Nobody is as surprised as I was that this wasn't a hands down 5 star over the top read for me. I wanted to read it the second I saw this book. It just wasn't what I had anticipated. I was expecting a really dark, twisted thriller type read. With that being said, this book has gotten rave reviews, so I am sure my opinion is in the minority here.
The Eighth Girl centers around Alexa Wu' and her "flock" of personalities. She has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, which has her feeling like there are multiple people living inside her body. Wild right? The thing is this book was just downright weird. Alexa's BFF Ella took a job working at a gentleman's club called Electra. For some reason, Alexa felt compelled to spend a ton of time at the club also, even though she was not working there. Alexa was completely against this club and what went on behind closed doors, yet she couldn't stay away. In fact, she even dated the bartender.
The majority of the book was spent focusing on the day to day life of Alexa and her going back and forth to this club. Her different personalities appearing randomly- from angry outbursts to childlike behaviors. I applaud the author for bringing attention to this mental health condition, as I am sure most people have not heard of it. It helps you understand that the outside package of a person may be altered due to what is going on inside them. For instance that jerk yelling at the waitress may have more going on than he is just a jerk. He may have some deeper mental health condition going on- or he may just be a jerk!
The part I really enjoyed most was when Alexa would have her therapy appointments with Daniel. Overall the story lacked any type of anticipation on my part. I did not find it suspenseful at all and a bit bizarre. I had trouble connecting with the characters or the story line in general. I don't usually give out trigger warnings but this does contain the subject matter of human trafficking and child porn yet neither go into great detail.
I am sure many others will love this book though as there are some really rave reviews out there! This was just my personal opinion on it.
Thank you so much to William Morrow for this ARC!
The Eighth Girl centers around Alexa Wu' and her "flock" of personalities. She has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, which has her feeling like there are multiple people living inside her body. Wild right? The thing is this book was just downright weird. Alexa's BFF Ella took a job working at a gentleman's club called Electra. For some reason, Alexa felt compelled to spend a ton of time at the club also, even though she was not working there. Alexa was completely against this club and what went on behind closed doors, yet she couldn't stay away. In fact, she even dated the bartender.
The majority of the book was spent focusing on the day to day life of Alexa and her going back and forth to this club. Her different personalities appearing randomly- from angry outbursts to childlike behaviors. I applaud the author for bringing attention to this mental health condition, as I am sure most people have not heard of it. It helps you understand that the outside package of a person may be altered due to what is going on inside them. For instance that jerk yelling at the waitress may have more going on than he is just a jerk. He may have some deeper mental health condition going on- or he may just be a jerk!
The part I really enjoyed most was when Alexa would have her therapy appointments with Daniel. Overall the story lacked any type of anticipation on my part. I did not find it suspenseful at all and a bit bizarre. I had trouble connecting with the characters or the story line in general. I don't usually give out trigger warnings but this does contain the subject matter of human trafficking and child porn yet neither go into great detail.
I am sure many others will love this book though as there are some really rave reviews out there! This was just my personal opinion on it.
Thank you so much to William Morrow for this ARC!
June 26, 2020
Talk about messed up! This one is tough. You think you've got it down, and slightly figured out, only to be slapped in the face with a swing out of nowhere. The twist at the end took me so off guard, I literally gasped. That was one I certainly didn't see coming. Great suspense book. Loved it.
April 7, 2020
The author, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung, is a psychotherapist, so I was excited to see what she brought to the ‘multiple-personality psychological thriller’ sub-genre, but I was left mostly disappointed.
The language was overly descriptive and stiff, which I would guess comes from her highly academic background. The medical insight was interesting, but that didn’t make up for the way the characters spoke and acted. They were like if aliens tried to infiltrate Earth by binging thousands of hours of reality TV and then tried to speak to regular people like that. They just came off as hollow and artificial human interactions.
Plus multiple personalities can come off as kind of gimicky if it’s not done right. I didn’t really buy Daniel Rosenstein as a medical professional based off of a number of issues, least of all breaching doctor-patient confidentiality, which was surprising considering Mei-Fung Chung’s background. Alexa was an interesting character, but there was too much other stuff going on for me to really connect with her. And like others have said, the sex trafficking angle felt like a massive misstep.
I hope the author keeps at it, though, and maybe her next one will work better for me.
*Thanks to William Morrow & Goodreads for an advance copy!
The language was overly descriptive and stiff, which I would guess comes from her highly academic background. The medical insight was interesting, but that didn’t make up for the way the characters spoke and acted. They were like if aliens tried to infiltrate Earth by binging thousands of hours of reality TV and then tried to speak to regular people like that. They just came off as hollow and artificial human interactions.
Plus multiple personalities can come off as kind of gimicky if it’s not done right. I didn’t really buy Daniel Rosenstein as a medical professional based off of a number of issues, least of all breaching doctor-patient confidentiality, which was surprising considering Mei-Fung Chung’s background. Alexa was an interesting character, but there was too much other stuff going on for me to really connect with her. And like others have said, the sex trafficking angle felt like a massive misstep.
I hope the author keeps at it, though, and maybe her next one will work better for me.
*Thanks to William Morrow & Goodreads for an advance copy!
March 17, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alexa suffers from DID (multiple personalities) after years of sexual abuse from her father at a young age. She refers to her others as ‘the Flock,’ and relies on them in times of stress, denial, or exhaustion. Oneiroi, Runner, Dolly, and the Fouls are her primary others and each exude different traits that help Alexa cope.
Daniel is a psychotherapist working in a mental hospital. When Alexa presents telling him she doesn’t like labels and wants to taper off her antipsychotic medications, it’s clear to Daniel that there’s more going on with Alexa. As Alexa gains trust in Daniel and endures increasing stress in her personal life, the Flock begins to show itself.
Alexa, following her best friend Ella, finds herself frequenting Electra - a seedy strip club where Ella is working to save for an apartment. The owner, Navid, is manipulative and controlling, wielding power over the women for sex and devotion. When Alexa and Ella learn that Navid is part of a trafficking sex ring with underage girls, the women band together to try to perform an inside job to take him down.
The increasing danger and stress has a tremendous impact on Alexa’s emotional and mental state. She begins having more blackout periods where the others take over without her knowledge or control and she increasingly becomes more dangerous to herself and others. Daniel, seeing Alexa spiral and grappling with his own personal feelings including lusting after one of Alexa’s alters, must decide how to intervene to protect his patient and himself.
This is a dark portrayal of mental health and abuse against women. The novel was slow to start for me but once it gained traction with the trafficking storyline, I was hooked. If you’re interested in psychological disorders and enjoy an unreliable narrator, this is absolutely for you! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this and will definitely be looking for more work by this talented author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Alexa suffers from DID (multiple personalities) after years of sexual abuse from her father at a young age. She refers to her others as ‘the Flock,’ and relies on them in times of stress, denial, or exhaustion. Oneiroi, Runner, Dolly, and the Fouls are her primary others and each exude different traits that help Alexa cope.
Daniel is a psychotherapist working in a mental hospital. When Alexa presents telling him she doesn’t like labels and wants to taper off her antipsychotic medications, it’s clear to Daniel that there’s more going on with Alexa. As Alexa gains trust in Daniel and endures increasing stress in her personal life, the Flock begins to show itself.
Alexa, following her best friend Ella, finds herself frequenting Electra - a seedy strip club where Ella is working to save for an apartment. The owner, Navid, is manipulative and controlling, wielding power over the women for sex and devotion. When Alexa and Ella learn that Navid is part of a trafficking sex ring with underage girls, the women band together to try to perform an inside job to take him down.
The increasing danger and stress has a tremendous impact on Alexa’s emotional and mental state. She begins having more blackout periods where the others take over without her knowledge or control and she increasingly becomes more dangerous to herself and others. Daniel, seeing Alexa spiral and grappling with his own personal feelings including lusting after one of Alexa’s alters, must decide how to intervene to protect his patient and himself.
This is a dark portrayal of mental health and abuse against women. The novel was slow to start for me but once it gained traction with the trafficking storyline, I was hooked. If you’re interested in psychological disorders and enjoy an unreliable narrator, this is absolutely for you! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this and will definitely be looking for more work by this talented author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
April 2, 2020
(4.5) & I can certainly see why it has so many 5 star ratings! For me though, while i loved the parts involving Alexa's personalitys & her sessions with Daniel, I just wasn't as interested in the parts having to do with the club. I get that it was an integral part of the book, i just found myself looking forward to the next chapter. The characters Alexa & Daniel were exceptional though, & the end was great! I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers or anyone interested in multiple personalities. (The author really did an excellent job developing each of Alexa's separate personalitys, their interactions with each other & with other people- they were by far the standout for me. Because of them, if there was a book 2 I'd be first in line!)
Read
April 25, 2021Really not my cup of tea. The plot was all over the place, some subplots were irrelevant to the overall story, and while the first few chapters had me utterly hooked, it went in a completely different direction than it promised. And I think I could have put the book aside and never thought about it again if it hadn't been for the rather unreflected handling of the child trafficking/porn subplot. Rather than gathering evidence in order to bust the criminal activities, the main character basically became complicit in the actions and that's where I lost my last shred of belief in both the character and the story. Finally, the twist also failed to impress or surprise me. If you've watched or read a single film or book on dissociative identity disorder, this won't sweep you off your feet.
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September 12, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of
The Eighth Girl.
One of my favorite books in high school was Sybil. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered, years later, it had all been a hoax, but I remember enjoying the narrative and the way it was written.
That's why I was so excited when my request was approved for The Eighth Girl but, sadly, it did not meet my expectations for a number of reasons.
First, the tone of the writing sounded immature, though that may be due to the fact that Alexa is a young woman and her numerous personalities are various ages. Still, the tone felt off and I couldn't shake that feeling off.
Second, the inclusion of the psychiatrist, Daniel, and his personal issues, felt unnecessary.
I enjoyed the insight into his life as he grieved the loss of his wife, his tenuous relationship with his only daughter and his determination to remain sober, but then we got trivial drama involving his booty call and his personal feelings about Alexa, which became one cliche too many.
Third, it was difficult for me to suspend disbelief that Alexa could pull off busting a sex trafficking ring.
I understand why the author chose to include such a farfetched plan in the plot; to allow Alexa a breaking point in which she must come face to face with the horrific traumas of her past and finally begin to heal and integrate the halves of her self into one fully integrated self.
Still, I couldn't suspend disbelief and that outweighed any enjoyment I might have received from reading The Eighth Girl.
I did like how the author takes the reader into the root and cause of multiple personality disorder or DID and helps readers make sense of this unfortunate mental illness.
Merged review:
Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of The Eighth Girl.
One of my favorite books in high school was Sybil.
That's why I was so excited when my request was approved for The Eighth Girl.
Sadly, The Eighth Girl did not meet my expectations for a number of reasons.
First, the tone of the writing was immature, though that may be due to the fact that Alexa is a young woman and her numerous personalities are various ages. Still, the tone felt off.
Second, the inclusion of the psychiatrist, Daniel, and his personal issues, felt unnecessary.
I didn't mind insight into his life as he grieved the loss of his wife, his tenuous relationship with his only daughter and his determination to remain sober, but then we got trivial drama involving his booty call and his personal feelings about Alexa, which became one cliche too many.
Third, it was difficult for me to suspend disbelief that Alexa could pull off busting a sex trafficking ring.
I understand why the author chose to include such a farfetched plan in the plot; to allow Alexa a breaking point in which she must come face to face with the horrific traumas of her past and finally begin to heal and integrate the halves of her self into one fully integrated self.
Still, I couldn't suspend disbelief and that outweighed any enjoyment I might have received from reading The Eighth Girl.
I did like how the author takes the reader into the root and cause of multiple personality disorder or DID and helps readers make sense of this unfortunate mental illness.
This is the second or third book I've read about multiple personality disorder; I seriously hope this is not the literary trend of 2020.
One of my favorite books in high school was Sybil. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered, years later, it had all been a hoax, but I remember enjoying the narrative and the way it was written.
That's why I was so excited when my request was approved for The Eighth Girl but, sadly, it did not meet my expectations for a number of reasons.
First, the tone of the writing sounded immature, though that may be due to the fact that Alexa is a young woman and her numerous personalities are various ages. Still, the tone felt off and I couldn't shake that feeling off.
Second, the inclusion of the psychiatrist, Daniel, and his personal issues, felt unnecessary.
I enjoyed the insight into his life as he grieved the loss of his wife, his tenuous relationship with his only daughter and his determination to remain sober, but then we got trivial drama involving his booty call and his personal feelings about Alexa, which became one cliche too many.
Third, it was difficult for me to suspend disbelief that Alexa could pull off busting a sex trafficking ring.
I understand why the author chose to include such a farfetched plan in the plot; to allow Alexa a breaking point in which she must come face to face with the horrific traumas of her past and finally begin to heal and integrate the halves of her self into one fully integrated self.
Still, I couldn't suspend disbelief and that outweighed any enjoyment I might have received from reading The Eighth Girl.
I did like how the author takes the reader into the root and cause of multiple personality disorder or DID and helps readers make sense of this unfortunate mental illness.
Merged review:
Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of The Eighth Girl.
One of my favorite books in high school was Sybil.
That's why I was so excited when my request was approved for The Eighth Girl.
Sadly, The Eighth Girl did not meet my expectations for a number of reasons.
First, the tone of the writing was immature, though that may be due to the fact that Alexa is a young woman and her numerous personalities are various ages. Still, the tone felt off.
Second, the inclusion of the psychiatrist, Daniel, and his personal issues, felt unnecessary.
I didn't mind insight into his life as he grieved the loss of his wife, his tenuous relationship with his only daughter and his determination to remain sober, but then we got trivial drama involving his booty call and his personal feelings about Alexa, which became one cliche too many.
Third, it was difficult for me to suspend disbelief that Alexa could pull off busting a sex trafficking ring.
I understand why the author chose to include such a farfetched plan in the plot; to allow Alexa a breaking point in which she must come face to face with the horrific traumas of her past and finally begin to heal and integrate the halves of her self into one fully integrated self.
Still, I couldn't suspend disbelief and that outweighed any enjoyment I might have received from reading The Eighth Girl.
I did like how the author takes the reader into the root and cause of multiple personality disorder or DID and helps readers make sense of this unfortunate mental illness.
This is the second or third book I've read about multiple personality disorder; I seriously hope this is not the literary trend of 2020.
November 19, 2019
Intricately plotted and sensitively written, The Eighth Girl draws the reader into the dark heart of London’s underworld with relentless tension until the shock of the final reveal. I loved this book and would recommend it highly.
October 30, 2024
The Eighth Girl had potential, but overall left me a bit underwhelmed. I was hoping for something fresh, mind-bending, and truly thrilling, but what I got felt more "meh" than memorable. While the unreliable narrator element added an intriguing layer, it wasn't as original as I'd hoped. That said, the structure is solid, making it easy to follow, even in audiobook format. The psychological aspects were definitely the highlight, providing some fascinating insights.
February 2, 2020
Wow - this is one where you have read every word and stay on your toes - in the very best way! It is expertly written and complex, which I absolutely love in a book, movie, TV show, etc. Chung's depth of knowledge in psychology enables her to surpass what we see in most psychological thrillers. Here is what I wrote when I first read The Eighth Girl:
"The Eighth Girl is an exquisite exploration of childhood trauma and its impact on the psyche. Part thriller, part character study, I devoured this novel in one sitting, reflecting on each sentence, each passage, and each astute observation of humanity"
Give this one a try!!!!
"The Eighth Girl is an exquisite exploration of childhood trauma and its impact on the psyche. Part thriller, part character study, I devoured this novel in one sitting, reflecting on each sentence, each passage, and each astute observation of humanity"
Give this one a try!!!!
March 9, 2020
Wow wow wow wow WOW!! It is 4:18am and I have zero regrets about staying up to finish this book. Full review soon!
********
UPDATE: I've woken up again and now I'm ready to write an actual review! This book was everything I never knew I needed. I've been fascinated by Dissociative Identity Disorder ever since reading Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic Girl as a child (side note: as you can see in the memoir title, Donna is autistic, and autism + DID aren't necessarily correlated, except in that -- if I recall correctly from reading that book nearly two decades ago -- an abusive situation most likely exacerbated by the parents' lack of understanding of autism caused Donna to dissociate). That being said, I'm skeptical of most writers' abilities to write characters with the disorder in a way that's effective, accurate, and compassionate, rather than merely sensationalized.
Soooooo (with that long intro -- can you tell I slept for just three hours?), I was really excited to read that Maxine Mei-Fung Chung, among her numerous accomplishments, is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. (Did I mention that I'm also fascinated by psychology and considered studying it in college?) I'm not one to gatekeep as to who should be "allowed" to write what, but I also truly appreciate knowing when an author is an expert in the field they're writing about. In this case, Chung's expertise really shines through on every page!
The story is told from two (sorta, hah) viewpoints. Alexa Wu, the girl holding together a collective of different personas, and her new therapist, Daniel.
This is NOT what I'd consider a typical thriller. There is no big, murderous inciting incident. Alexa (et. al. -- the collective) is the story, and goddamn, she is more than enough to carry the entire book! Alexa is unraveling. And her best friend is dragging her into a dark underworld they may not be able to escape from.
Meanwhile, like Daniel the therapist, as a reader we can only sit on the sideline and shout at Alexa to be careful and Runner (the most protective of her personalities) to get her out of there, damnit, and everyone to please listen to Dolly (the personality most in need of protection) because SHE HAS A POINT ABOUT THOSE SEEDY LOOKING GUYS.
There's a lot of depth to the plot-line and so much to unpack from the story. Alexa is one of the most complex characters I've ever read, and I absolutely loved finding out more about her. I also have a particular soft spot for Chinese diaspora female main characters, as we share common identities, and I love how racial concerns were incorporated in a thought-provoking but not-at-all-didactic way.
The Eighth Girl promises two fascinating POVs that will absolutely draw you in, and a slow build-up to the kinds of Big Things Happening that us thriller readers devour. It took me a few chapters (don't worry, they're short!) to get into the writing style, but then I found myself absolutely obsessed with it. It's not the kind of writing to rush through -- keeping track of Alexa's many personalities gave me a small glimpse into how overwhelming it must be, to be her, and if you don't pay attention you'll surely miss something. But wandering attention shouldn't be a problem, because the writing is SO GOOD that if you're anything at all like me, you'll want to savor every single word.
I won't be the one to spoil anything for you all, except to say, hang on for the ride. It is an INTENSE one. Please note that there are a lot of content warnings that might be difficult for some, but it's par for the course for darker adult thrillers.
Thank you William Morrow Books for providing a free advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
********
UPDATE: I've woken up again and now I'm ready to write an actual review! This book was everything I never knew I needed. I've been fascinated by Dissociative Identity Disorder ever since reading Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic Girl as a child (side note: as you can see in the memoir title, Donna is autistic, and autism + DID aren't necessarily correlated, except in that -- if I recall correctly from reading that book nearly two decades ago -- an abusive situation most likely exacerbated by the parents' lack of understanding of autism caused Donna to dissociate). That being said, I'm skeptical of most writers' abilities to write characters with the disorder in a way that's effective, accurate, and compassionate, rather than merely sensationalized.
Soooooo (with that long intro -- can you tell I slept for just three hours?), I was really excited to read that Maxine Mei-Fung Chung, among her numerous accomplishments, is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. (Did I mention that I'm also fascinated by psychology and considered studying it in college?) I'm not one to gatekeep as to who should be "allowed" to write what, but I also truly appreciate knowing when an author is an expert in the field they're writing about. In this case, Chung's expertise really shines through on every page!
The story is told from two (sorta, hah) viewpoints. Alexa Wu, the girl holding together a collective of different personas, and her new therapist, Daniel.
This is NOT what I'd consider a typical thriller. There is no big, murderous inciting incident. Alexa (et. al. -- the collective) is the story, and goddamn, she is more than enough to carry the entire book! Alexa is unraveling. And her best friend is dragging her into a dark underworld they may not be able to escape from.
Meanwhile, like Daniel the therapist, as a reader we can only sit on the sideline and shout at Alexa to be careful and Runner (the most protective of her personalities) to get her out of there, damnit, and everyone to please listen to Dolly (the personality most in need of protection) because SHE HAS A POINT ABOUT THOSE SEEDY LOOKING GUYS.
There's a lot of depth to the plot-line and so much to unpack from the story. Alexa is one of the most complex characters I've ever read, and I absolutely loved finding out more about her. I also have a particular soft spot for Chinese diaspora female main characters, as we share common identities, and I love how racial concerns were incorporated in a thought-provoking but not-at-all-didactic way.
The Eighth Girl promises two fascinating POVs that will absolutely draw you in, and a slow build-up to the kinds of Big Things Happening that us thriller readers devour. It took me a few chapters (don't worry, they're short!) to get into the writing style, but then I found myself absolutely obsessed with it. It's not the kind of writing to rush through -- keeping track of Alexa's many personalities gave me a small glimpse into how overwhelming it must be, to be her, and if you don't pay attention you'll surely miss something. But wandering attention shouldn't be a problem, because the writing is SO GOOD that if you're anything at all like me, you'll want to savor every single word.
I won't be the one to spoil anything for you all, except to say, hang on for the ride. It is an INTENSE one. Please note that there are a lot of content warnings that might be difficult for some, but it's par for the course for darker adult thrillers.
Thank you William Morrow Books for providing a free advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
March 4, 2020
The main reason I was drawn to this book initially was the main character has multiple personalities. I was intrigued by the description of the book although this turned into a different read for me.
I was so surprised as my initial thoughts of the novel led me to believe I would be giving this five stars.
Beautiful damaged Alexa Wu her life is controlled by a host of different personalities. Only three people know about her personalities Daniel, her stepmother Anna, and her best friend Ella.
Daniel leading the therapy sessions are probably my favourite part of the story. Alexa has Dissociative Identity Disorder which I had never heard off - which makes Alexa feel like more than one person lives in her body.
The main focus of the story is spent in a club called Electra going back and forth between her different personalities. She catches the eye of the grisly club owner and is drawn into his darkness.
I did not find the story to hold any suspense and I had trouble keeping up with the characters in general. This is a different approach to mental illness but I felt I was waiting all the way through for something to happen and it didn’t for me.
I would imagine lots of other readers would love this book - and there are some rave reviews out there. But this was my view and I’d like to thank you for the ARC.
I was so surprised as my initial thoughts of the novel led me to believe I would be giving this five stars.
Beautiful damaged Alexa Wu her life is controlled by a host of different personalities. Only three people know about her personalities Daniel, her stepmother Anna, and her best friend Ella.
Daniel leading the therapy sessions are probably my favourite part of the story. Alexa has Dissociative Identity Disorder which I had never heard off - which makes Alexa feel like more than one person lives in her body.
The main focus of the story is spent in a club called Electra going back and forth between her different personalities. She catches the eye of the grisly club owner and is drawn into his darkness.
I did not find the story to hold any suspense and I had trouble keeping up with the characters in general. This is a different approach to mental illness but I felt I was waiting all the way through for something to happen and it didn’t for me.
I would imagine lots of other readers would love this book - and there are some rave reviews out there. But this was my view and I’d like to thank you for the ARC.
Read
May 2, 2020The Eighth Girl by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung 4.5 stars if possible
What a mind blowing book! I won't tell you what it is about, you can read that in the blurb or other people's reviews, what I will tell you is that this is one of those books that reaches out slowly and then snatches you completely until it's finished. I found it to be highly interesting, a little mysterious, a little sad (more than a little) and more than enough to make me want to read more from this author! Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers got allowing me to leave my opinion.
What a mind blowing book! I won't tell you what it is about, you can read that in the blurb or other people's reviews, what I will tell you is that this is one of those books that reaches out slowly and then snatches you completely until it's finished. I found it to be highly interesting, a little mysterious, a little sad (more than a little) and more than enough to make me want to read more from this author! Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers got allowing me to leave my opinion.
January 17, 2022
I really wanted to take my time with this book. As it is about DID and I know the disorder so well I wanted to make sure it was accurate. So here's where I'm at. Yes, some of it is slightly predictable. Did not stop my enjoyment. Yes there is a sexualized part within the book witch not all systems have but most times in media they do. This had an accurate depiction of how a trauma survivor would respond to some scenarios. Abandonment is a very real fear and well thought out subject in this book. Be aware trigger warnings for child abuse, sexual assault, and suicide. All in all well worth and I will share more thoughts on my blog and booktube channel.
November 18, 2019
I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review
I loved this one. Very fast paced, had me turning pages as I tore through it – I had to see how it would end. The characters were well rounded and the narrative felt believable. Gave me chills. Solid five
I loved this one. Very fast paced, had me turning pages as I tore through it – I had to see how it would end. The characters were well rounded and the narrative felt believable. Gave me chills. Solid five
November 11, 2019
Epigraph:
“The girl would see, in the locking of her mind with Freud’s, how cruelly her own understanding had deceived her.”
-Philip Rieff, Introduction to Dora: An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria, by Sigmund Freud
The Eighth Girl by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung takes a perceptive look into the heart of mental illness and even more so into Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). While I was expecting more of an in-your-face psychological thriller, I was captivated with the way the story progressed.
The Eighth Girl is most definitely a suspenseful thriller but the underlying issues of Alexa’s DID makes for a more compelling read and although Alexa’s ‘flock’ of personalities makes her an unreliable narrator, it really worked for this story. I was fascinated by the interactions between Alexa and her new therapist, Daniel along with the past history Alexa had of trauma and abuse that lead to her dissociative disorder. It’s absolutely heart-breaking and as the author points out in the book there are many in the world that will take advantage of someone in this scenario.
I think this is an eye-opener of a book that explores the pain of mental illness in a setting that could be all too real.
A big thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for providing me this galley for my honest review.
“The girl would see, in the locking of her mind with Freud’s, how cruelly her own understanding had deceived her.”
-Philip Rieff, Introduction to Dora: An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria, by Sigmund Freud
The Eighth Girl by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung takes a perceptive look into the heart of mental illness and even more so into Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). While I was expecting more of an in-your-face psychological thriller, I was captivated with the way the story progressed.
The Eighth Girl is most definitely a suspenseful thriller but the underlying issues of Alexa’s DID makes for a more compelling read and although Alexa’s ‘flock’ of personalities makes her an unreliable narrator, it really worked for this story. I was fascinated by the interactions between Alexa and her new therapist, Daniel along with the past history Alexa had of trauma and abuse that lead to her dissociative disorder. It’s absolutely heart-breaking and as the author points out in the book there are many in the world that will take advantage of someone in this scenario.
I think this is an eye-opener of a book that explores the pain of mental illness in a setting that could be all too real.
A big thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for providing me this galley for my honest review.
April 7, 2020
Did you ever read something that just made you feel so unsettled you thought about it for days afterwards?
The Eighth Girl did that to me. And I'm not mad about it. This book haunted me, and still does a bit. It's equal parts seductive, disturbing, fascinating and yes, unsettling.
It’s the epitome of psychological thriller. The narrative alternates between a young woman named Alexa, who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder stemmed from horrible childhood trauma, and her therapist.
But its it really Alexa? Or perhaps one of the "flock" of identities inside her?
Strung along by her friend Ella, Alexa gets caught up in some dark and seedy dealings in the London underground club scene. Ella, absorbed by the money and gifts, refuses to quit - and Alexa won't leave her best friend.
Will her multiple personalities be an asset in helping them get out of this shady business, or will they put them in even more danger, and exposed to even more trauma than shes already been through?
This was a bingeable thriller at it's finest. Maxine's insight and knowledge as a mental health professional adds to the realism of this disorder and feeds the narrative with heart-pounding suspense. The plot is engaging and fast-paced, and tense and disturbing in all the right places, and I had a really hard time putting it down.
I had a lot of questions at the end though! I need to know so many things... like why and when and how and why again?!? But as is the case of what goes on in another person's head... I will just never know.
An ambitious and compelling read.
Bravo to Maxine on this debut- which has also been optioned for Netflix! Yay!
The Eighth Girl did that to me. And I'm not mad about it. This book haunted me, and still does a bit. It's equal parts seductive, disturbing, fascinating and yes, unsettling.
It’s the epitome of psychological thriller. The narrative alternates between a young woman named Alexa, who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder stemmed from horrible childhood trauma, and her therapist.
But its it really Alexa? Or perhaps one of the "flock" of identities inside her?
Strung along by her friend Ella, Alexa gets caught up in some dark and seedy dealings in the London underground club scene. Ella, absorbed by the money and gifts, refuses to quit - and Alexa won't leave her best friend.
Will her multiple personalities be an asset in helping them get out of this shady business, or will they put them in even more danger, and exposed to even more trauma than shes already been through?
This was a bingeable thriller at it's finest. Maxine's insight and knowledge as a mental health professional adds to the realism of this disorder and feeds the narrative with heart-pounding suspense. The plot is engaging and fast-paced, and tense and disturbing in all the right places, and I had a really hard time putting it down.
I had a lot of questions at the end though! I need to know so many things... like why and when and how and why again?!? But as is the case of what goes on in another person's head... I will just never know.
An ambitious and compelling read.
Bravo to Maxine on this debut- which has also been optioned for Netflix! Yay!
July 17, 2020
Alexa Wu has DID, otherwise known as dissociative identify disorder, which she got after a lifetime of trauma relating to her family. She joins forces with her best friend Ella and her psychiatrist to uncover the dangers behind a gentleman’s club. As Alexa’s personalities begin to fracture, the danger she faces threatens to overwhelm her. Will Alexa save herself or will she be lost forever? I absolutely loved reading this book. It was gripping, compelling and I felt like I was reading about a diagnosis that had been well researched. I found the topic to be a little hard to deal with (I’m definitely going to advise those with sexual trauma issues to take care when reading this) but at the same time, this is SUCH an important topic that needs to be discussed. I found the book to be absolutely fantastic and was really drawn into this world. Over all, I highly recommend this book, despite the intensity of the sexual trauma described in this book.
August 23, 2021
The Eighth Girl gives a fascinating insight into Dissociative Identity Disorder. The fact that sustained trauma can cause the personality to fracture into pieces, each of which has its own identity and personality, was something I knew nothing about. The writing is excellent, the story brilliantly told. I found myself swept along in Alexa’s world as she uncovers the horrific reality of the sex trafficking/child pornography industry. The way the trafficked women and girls are treated was upsetting and hard to read at times. The fact that this vile abuse goes on, IS going on right now, makes it even more heartbreaking to read. Hard-hitting, compelling, horrifying, and tragic, The Eighth Girl is an extraordinary novel.
April 29, 2021
*2.5
This book started out strong, and then kind of lost its traction a bit. I felt like it was way too long to begin with, and despite the short-ish chapters it felt like a long haul.
The main character, Alexa, is interesting, but she just fell flat a little bit after. I don’t know what else to say! I was so excited for this book, but it just wasn’t the story I was expecting.
This book started out strong, and then kind of lost its traction a bit. I felt like it was way too long to begin with, and despite the short-ish chapters it felt like a long haul.
The main character, Alexa, is interesting, but she just fell flat a little bit after. I don’t know what else to say! I was so excited for this book, but it just wasn’t the story I was expecting.
March 10, 2021
You can tell The Eighth Girl was written by an experienced psychotherapist. It would be easy for this book to be really confusing, bearing in mind that the main character, Alexa, has 8 different personalities. But it’s so cleverly done that I didn’t get lost at all.
It turned into a story I really wasn’t expecting & it got very dark, very fast, with an ending I genuinely didn’t see coming. It explores themes of mental illness and misogyny in a very different way. Though it may be a tough read for some, I found it fascinating and extremely clever.
It turned into a story I really wasn’t expecting & it got very dark, very fast, with an ending I genuinely didn’t see coming. It explores themes of mental illness and misogyny in a very different way. Though it may be a tough read for some, I found it fascinating and extremely clever.
August 6, 2021
I almost feel bad, but I can't give this more than one star. The writing was poor, the messages about sex workers were paternalistic and misogynistic, and half the book (Daniel's chapters) was pointless. Don't bother with this one.
June 4, 2020
By no means an easy read, but it’s a stunningly good debut! Dark and disturbing, you’ll definitely need to research trigger warnings for this one!
But if you can handle the subject matter, then this is a fantastic read. I may have figured out the big *twist* very early on, but there was still enough going on to keep me hooked.
Can’t wait to see where this author goes next.
But if you can handle the subject matter, then this is a fantastic read. I may have figured out the big *twist* very early on, but there was still enough going on to keep me hooked.
Can’t wait to see where this author goes next.
April 7, 2021
I'm writing this review so I can stop thinking about this book and how annoyed it made me. I gave this two stars, which is an average of the ratings I wanted to give.
I started with four stars because this is a propulsive read, full of tension, and I respected (or so I thought) the author's clear expertise with the subject matter and the way she used it to create a compelling story.
I then gave it one star because the entire twist--Anna, Ella, and Grace are actually additional personalities of Alexa's--is completely unbelievable. Again, I wanted to give the author credit and assume that this could actually happen with someone with DID, but the execution is poor and inconsistent and clearly done for shock value. I went back and reread parts again and--even being willing to suspend some disbelief--the conceit doesn't always hold up. Some examples:
-- Alexa watches Ella have sex with Navid *through a window.* If they are the same person, how?
-- Alexa and Ella have a threesome with Shaun in which Alexa describes performing on Ella. How?
--Anna is described as having blonde hair. If she is the same person as Alexa, who is of Chinese descent, how? Is Alexa wearing a wig? In one scene Alexa describes leaving the home she shares with Anna while Anna is sitting and watching TV -- how?
-- When Ella and Alexa meet in public and argue in a cafe, is she talking out loud?
-- Ella and Grace have an argument in front of Alexa where Grace "shoulders" past Ella in her room and slams the door, leaving Ella and Alexa on the couch. If these are all one person, how?
-- Anna is dating a guy named Ray, who appears to be real. If so, then how does this work? Alexa is working as a photojournalist, and seeing a psychiatrist, while Ella is working as a club as a sex worker, while Anna is working in an office and meeting Ray. When does she sleep?
-- Ella leaves voicemails for Alexa. How? Why? Does Alexa have two different phones?
-- Why is this book called the Eighth Girl when there are at least *nine* personalities: (1) Alexa, (2) Ella, (3) Grace, (4) Anna, (5) Runner, (6) Dolly, (7) Oneiroi, (8) Flo, and (9) the Fouls?
Setting these points aside, the book also completely fails to follow through on the subplots of Alexa getting raped or Alexa's tryst with Robin. Finally, there's Daniel, who is a complete sadsack and really contributes nothing to the book. Daniel's role is apparently to ramp up the tension by worrying about Alexa and also to show us how difficult it is to be a psychiatrist, which feels unnecessary and self-serving.
Now, if the book had been written so that Daniel had had a previous experience working with a client ("Jane Doe") who had DID that went badly, then the author could have used Daniel's reminiscing about his time with that client to show the reader how DID actually works, and also to provide a baseline for the risk Alexa is facing. That would have been more effective. It also could have given the author the ability to insert little clues along the way, i.e., Daniel recalling that when Jane Doe switched personalities, X happened, and then showing us Alexa doing X . Finally, a little more misdirection and vagueness in some of the interactions among the members of the Flock would be more consistent and, ultimately, clever.
Bottom line: a catchy, thrilling read but one that is deeply flawed by trying to make too much of a shock twist.
I started with four stars because this is a propulsive read, full of tension, and I respected (or so I thought) the author's clear expertise with the subject matter and the way she used it to create a compelling story.
I then gave it one star because the entire twist--Anna, Ella, and Grace are actually additional personalities of Alexa's--is completely unbelievable. Again, I wanted to give the author credit and assume that this could actually happen with someone with DID, but the execution is poor and inconsistent and clearly done for shock value. I went back and reread parts again and--even being willing to suspend some disbelief--the conceit doesn't always hold up. Some examples:
-- Alexa watches Ella have sex with Navid *through a window.* If they are the same person, how?
-- Alexa and Ella have a threesome with Shaun in which Alexa describes performing on Ella. How?
--Anna is described as having blonde hair. If she is the same person as Alexa, who is of Chinese descent, how? Is Alexa wearing a wig? In one scene Alexa describes leaving the home she shares with Anna while Anna is sitting and watching TV -- how?
-- When Ella and Alexa meet in public and argue in a cafe, is she talking out loud?
-- Ella and Grace have an argument in front of Alexa where Grace "shoulders" past Ella in her room and slams the door, leaving Ella and Alexa on the couch. If these are all one person, how?
-- Anna is dating a guy named Ray, who appears to be real. If so, then how does this work? Alexa is working as a photojournalist, and seeing a psychiatrist, while Ella is working as a club as a sex worker, while Anna is working in an office and meeting Ray. When does she sleep?
-- Ella leaves voicemails for Alexa. How? Why? Does Alexa have two different phones?
-- Why is this book called the Eighth Girl when there are at least *nine* personalities: (1) Alexa, (2) Ella, (3) Grace, (4) Anna, (5) Runner, (6) Dolly, (7) Oneiroi, (8) Flo, and (9) the Fouls?
Setting these points aside, the book also completely fails to follow through on the subplots of Alexa getting raped or Alexa's tryst with Robin. Finally, there's Daniel, who is a complete sadsack and really contributes nothing to the book. Daniel's role is apparently to ramp up the tension by worrying about Alexa and also to show us how difficult it is to be a psychiatrist, which feels unnecessary and self-serving.
Now, if the book had been written so that Daniel had had a previous experience working with a client ("Jane Doe") who had DID that went badly, then the author could have used Daniel's reminiscing about his time with that client to show the reader how DID actually works, and also to provide a baseline for the risk Alexa is facing. That would have been more effective. It also could have given the author the ability to insert little clues along the way, i.e., Daniel recalling that when Jane Doe switched personalities, X happened, and then showing us Alexa doing X . Finally, a little more misdirection and vagueness in some of the interactions among the members of the Flock would be more consistent and, ultimately, clever.
Bottom line: a catchy, thrilling read but one that is deeply flawed by trying to make too much of a shock twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
tbr-mystery-thriller
February 12, 2020I am so excited to have been approved for this via Netgalley. A huge thank you to them and to the publisher.
I have been intrigued with this book since I first seen it was coming out!!! I cant wait to read this one.
I have been intrigued with this book since I first seen it was coming out!!! I cant wait to read this one.
May 6, 2023
1 star
Um.. yeah where to start. This book is a lot. Look up all of the trigger warnings and what not before you decide to read this book.
It was very difficult for me to keep reading this book because I didn't find it very engaging. Now having finished I look back on a lot of the scenes and wonder what was the reason that this was included in this book.
For example Daniel mctherapistman being attracted to Alexa, his patient.... was it necessary? Did it really add something to the plot? The answer to both of these questions is no.
Normally when I rate a book 3 stars or lower I can really rant about what could've been better or what was bad, but this book is just so... empty that there's not really any concept or scene I can reimagine in a better way.
The writing is overly descriptive
Some people have talked about the plot twist at the end, and how it was shocking or gripping but for me when I read it I was just like "Heh?". For me there's not a lot of explanation of the twist it's just sudden and then everyone moves on and the book wraps up.
The book feels long and stretched out when it doesn't need to be. I almost gave up on the book entirely and honestly I wouldn't of missed out on much if I did.
Another thing is people seem to love Alexa, and here's my question; why?
She has a lot of mental health issues, so I guess that makes her relatable, but take that away and she makes for a pretty boring character.
In conclusion, if you ever meet someone called Daniel Rosenstein run in the opposite direction and call the police while you're at it, read better books and look after yourselves.
Um.. yeah where to start. This book is a lot. Look up all of the trigger warnings and what not before you decide to read this book.
It was very difficult for me to keep reading this book because I didn't find it very engaging. Now having finished I look back on a lot of the scenes and wonder what was the reason that this was included in this book.
For example Daniel mctherapistman being attracted to Alexa, his patient.... was it necessary? Did it really add something to the plot? The answer to both of these questions is no.
Normally when I rate a book 3 stars or lower I can really rant about what could've been better or what was bad, but this book is just so... empty that there's not really any concept or scene I can reimagine in a better way.
The writing is overly descriptive
Some people have talked about the plot twist at the end, and how it was shocking or gripping but for me when I read it I was just like "Heh?". For me there's not a lot of explanation of the twist it's just sudden and then everyone moves on and the book wraps up.
The book feels long and stretched out when it doesn't need to be. I almost gave up on the book entirely and honestly I wouldn't of missed out on much if I did.
Another thing is people seem to love Alexa, and here's my question; why?
She has a lot of mental health issues, so I guess that makes her relatable, but take that away and she makes for a pretty boring character.
In conclusion, if you ever meet someone called Daniel Rosenstein run in the opposite direction and call the police while you're at it, read better books and look after yourselves.
Currently reading
April 26, 2020'The Eighth Girl is an omnivorous examination of life with mental illness and the coruscating trauma of life in a misogynist world' AKA I WANT IT. ALSO BECAUSE MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES/UNRELIABLE NARRATOR
July 29, 2022
Wow. I mean, wow. That was quite a book. (Understatement).
First section is mostly personal rambling so skip a bit if you want a straight review (do I even do straight reviews??)
I found The Eighth Girl in a Buzzfeed list of books featuring characters with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and the MC, Alexu Wu, has DID (Dissociative Identify Disorder, formerly known as Multiple Personal Syndrome). I didn't really read the blurb or anything else after I found this out as I have a personal fascination with DID; I was in hospital with someone with this condition, and I read their book - but I can't find it anywhere. Or the multiple other books I read on the subject. Alas, the days before I used GoodReads! Anyway, I kind of assumed that the book would be about DID and the experience of it. It's actually a thriller, it is not own voices, and has a really rocking rollercoaster ride of a story. None of this is bad - it just wasn't what I was really expecting I guess! It isn't own voices; however, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. Far be it from me to dictate who can write what, but I'm glad that someone with some kind of qualification/(presumed) experienced wrote this. Mental illnesses in general, and DID in particular, are hugely misunderstood and it's awful when misinformation is proliferated, or an illness sensationalised. The character Alexa and the members of her 'flock' (which is how she chooses to label her different personalities/aspects) are entirely different than the person I have known, or than the books I have read. This is not at all surprising. It's an extremely rare disorder, and affects each individual completely differently and often in unexpected way, due to the different nature of people's traumas, and the multiplicity of ways in which one can respond to trauma. DID is, of course, only one way of responding to extreme trauma - and is hard to treat because it usually involves integrating all personalities/aspects, which isn't always what is wanted.
Anyway, I expected the book to be about DID, but actually the fact that Alexa Ch has DID is part of the plot, not the whole plot. Not what I was expecting - but that's fine. (Although I'd really like to find the books I read years ago...)
Review proper starts here ;)
The Eighth Girl is told from two viewpoints (well, kind of haha): Alexa and the flock, and her therapist Daniel. The chapters alternate, and the pace is maintained throughout - it's definitely a page turner (although I was listening to it!). The plot is fast and quite complex; to begin with it's hard to keep track of Alexa's different aspects, but by the end you feel as though you know them all. I became quite fond of Oneiroi, Runner, and Dolly (least said about The Fouls the better), as they all emerge in different situations to help Alexa cope.
Because there's a lot going on for Alexa - she's living with her stepmother, Anna, trying to salvage some kind of relationship, whilst her best friend, Ella, starts working at a seedy strip club called Electra so that Ella can save for an apartment. Alexa is angry with Ella's choice of work, particularly when Ella's younger sister is in a position to see what is going on, but she accompanies her a lot and witnesses the corruption and trafficking of girls that goes on there. Navid, along with Alexa's ex(ish) Sean are bringing increasingly young girls into the country, where they are groomed for porn videos and sex. Ella eventually agrees to help Alexa bring down Electra from within - Alexa's skills as a photographer are pivotal.
This stressful turn of events in her life affects Alexa's emotional state: she has more blackout periods where other personalities take over, and the speed at which they change becomes unmanageable. Daniel feels very out of his depth taking on Alexa as a client, whilst he still struggles with his own alcoholism and a difficult relationship with his wife. There's a lot of talk about transference - which made me very uncomfortable actually (the thought of any of my therapists engaging in transference is horrible) - including Daniel's lust for one of Alexa's personalities. He is unsure how to protect himself and his patient, and regularly rings up a colleague for advice.
I think that Daniel's part of the story was basically unnecessary; there was definitely enough plot without him having his own mini breakdown in the background. I feel like it took away from Alexa and her flock, the real focal point of the story. Having said that, I didn't enjoy the scenes at Electra (the club) because: (a) it's just pretty horrible to read about; and (b) it began to feel somewhat samey. If this book focused more on Alexa's inner selves and her sessions with Daniel, it would have received a higher rating from me.
However, thriller fans - do not worry, you won't be disappointed! There are lots of twist and turns, particularly a couple of things near the end which I didn't see coming at all. Chung is a skilled writer, of that there is no doubt.
This is a very intense, very dark book exploring abuse against women and mental health problems stemming from abuse. I don't want to put all the trigger warnings because of spoilers, but if anyone wants to know, then message me. Not for the fainthearted.
I listened to this as an audiobook which was dual narrated (a narrator for Alexa, and a narrator for Daniel), and I thought it was excellently read. I think there may have been some other actors in minor roles as well; the production was brilliant.
First section is mostly personal rambling so skip a bit if you want a straight review (do I even do straight reviews??)
I found The Eighth Girl in a Buzzfeed list of books featuring characters with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and the MC, Alexu Wu, has DID (Dissociative Identify Disorder, formerly known as Multiple Personal Syndrome). I didn't really read the blurb or anything else after I found this out as I have a personal fascination with DID; I was in hospital with someone with this condition, and I read their book - but I can't find it anywhere. Or the multiple other books I read on the subject. Alas, the days before I used GoodReads! Anyway, I kind of assumed that the book would be about DID and the experience of it. It's actually a thriller, it is not own voices, and has a really rocking rollercoaster ride of a story. None of this is bad - it just wasn't what I was really expecting I guess! It isn't own voices; however, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. Far be it from me to dictate who can write what, but I'm glad that someone with some kind of qualification/(presumed) experienced wrote this. Mental illnesses in general, and DID in particular, are hugely misunderstood and it's awful when misinformation is proliferated, or an illness sensationalised. The character Alexa and the members of her 'flock' (which is how she chooses to label her different personalities/aspects) are entirely different than the person I have known, or than the books I have read. This is not at all surprising. It's an extremely rare disorder, and affects each individual completely differently and often in unexpected way, due to the different nature of people's traumas, and the multiplicity of ways in which one can respond to trauma. DID is, of course, only one way of responding to extreme trauma - and is hard to treat because it usually involves integrating all personalities/aspects, which isn't always what is wanted.
Anyway, I expected the book to be about DID, but actually the fact that Alexa Ch has DID is part of the plot, not the whole plot. Not what I was expecting - but that's fine. (Although I'd really like to find the books I read years ago...)
Review proper starts here ;)
The Eighth Girl is told from two viewpoints (well, kind of haha): Alexa and the flock, and her therapist Daniel. The chapters alternate, and the pace is maintained throughout - it's definitely a page turner (although I was listening to it!). The plot is fast and quite complex; to begin with it's hard to keep track of Alexa's different aspects, but by the end you feel as though you know them all. I became quite fond of Oneiroi, Runner, and Dolly (least said about The Fouls the better), as they all emerge in different situations to help Alexa cope.
Because there's a lot going on for Alexa - she's living with her stepmother, Anna, trying to salvage some kind of relationship, whilst her best friend, Ella, starts working at a seedy strip club called Electra so that Ella can save for an apartment. Alexa is angry with Ella's choice of work, particularly when Ella's younger sister is in a position to see what is going on, but she accompanies her a lot and witnesses the corruption and trafficking of girls that goes on there. Navid, along with Alexa's ex(ish) Sean are bringing increasingly young girls into the country, where they are groomed for porn videos and sex. Ella eventually agrees to help Alexa bring down Electra from within - Alexa's skills as a photographer are pivotal.
This stressful turn of events in her life affects Alexa's emotional state: she has more blackout periods where other personalities take over, and the speed at which they change becomes unmanageable. Daniel feels very out of his depth taking on Alexa as a client, whilst he still struggles with his own alcoholism and a difficult relationship with his wife. There's a lot of talk about transference - which made me very uncomfortable actually (the thought of any of my therapists engaging in transference is horrible) - including Daniel's lust for one of Alexa's personalities. He is unsure how to protect himself and his patient, and regularly rings up a colleague for advice.
I think that Daniel's part of the story was basically unnecessary; there was definitely enough plot without him having his own mini breakdown in the background. I feel like it took away from Alexa and her flock, the real focal point of the story. Having said that, I didn't enjoy the scenes at Electra (the club) because: (a) it's just pretty horrible to read about; and (b) it began to feel somewhat samey. If this book focused more on Alexa's inner selves and her sessions with Daniel, it would have received a higher rating from me.
However, thriller fans - do not worry, you won't be disappointed! There are lots of twist and turns, particularly a couple of things near the end which I didn't see coming at all. Chung is a skilled writer, of that there is no doubt.
This is a very intense, very dark book exploring abuse against women and mental health problems stemming from abuse. I don't want to put all the trigger warnings because of spoilers, but if anyone wants to know, then message me. Not for the fainthearted.
I listened to this as an audiobook which was dual narrated (a narrator for Alexa, and a narrator for Daniel), and I thought it was excellently read. I think there may have been some other actors in minor roles as well; the production was brilliant.
May 27, 2020
The Eighth Girl is original, heartbreaking, and compelling. I read it in one sitting, caught up in the momentum of the protagonists world. This is a poignant insight into the creative fractures that can allow us to make sense of the unbearable, and the motivations that propel the wounded healer. The narrative is both panoramic in themes and intimate in its characterisation Of Daniel and Alexa. The Essential membrane between ‘madness’ and survival is quietly dissected as the reader is invited into a world where realities collide and painful truths reveal themselves in kaleidoscopic form.
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