What do you think?
Rate this book
The Margins
Only Ethan Hicks knows what happened up on the mountain, for everyone else is dead. Hundreds of them, hundreds of westerners, their bodies yet to be recovered from the devastated commune that sits high above the Kullu Valley. It’s an unfolding tragedy that has caught the attention of the world’s media, and pressure is rapidly growing on the Indian authorities to provide answers. For them, of course, Ethan—found barely alive at the foot of the mountain—is the key to everything. And the account he gives to investigators will prove of a remote commune that grew beyond recognition through a simple quirk of fate. Of a harmonious society that became driven by greed. Of a paradise befouled by its own inhabitants. Yet, for all of Ethan’s candour, there were some events that took place on the mountain of which he cannot speak—dark, terrible secrets that he intends to take to his grave.
252 pages, Paperback
Published November 30, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 15, 2021
I was really happy to find I was on the blog tour for this book. This is an extremely clever story, which I found difficult to put down until I had found the answer to a question I had thought of while reading. But by then, I had another five questions. And then more...
The environmental impact of capitalism, exploitation of workers, the gig economy, colonialism, and corporate greed, all take a hiding in the book, while the twisting, character driven, story pulls you further in, along two seamlessly written timeliness.
The characters were credible and believable, and I could picture each scene as it played out. As a visual learner, I appreciate books that enable me to visualise each setting all the more.
I’m happy to recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling, twisting story, and gave the Margins five stars.
The environmental impact of capitalism, exploitation of workers, the gig economy, colonialism, and corporate greed, all take a hiding in the book, while the twisting, character driven, story pulls you further in, along two seamlessly written timeliness.
The characters were credible and believable, and I could picture each scene as it played out. As a visual learner, I appreciate books that enable me to visualise each setting all the more.
I’m happy to recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling, twisting story, and gave the Margins five stars.
September 27, 2021
Ethan didn't have much by the way of plans when he landed in Delhi. After a few days hanging out in a Chinese restaurant drinking copious amounts of beer, he finally made friends with two other travelers. They were all three aimless, spending their days smoking opium and eating delivery. But as their money started to run out, they knew they had to do something.
And so a plan was made. They would hike out to a remote paradise and live off the land.
Except things didn't quite work out that way. By the end, over 700 people were dead. And only Ethan was left to tell the story.
While this isn't technically a cult book, it's close enough. And it's not all pleasant reading, either (you've been warned).
Ethan was a pharmacists's assistant back in England. He says he was, in his parents' eyes, the failure of the family. His trip to India isn't so much of an attempt to find himself as it was an escape.
Which is kind of the same for Div, Hal, and Lorna.
Div and Hal come first. A couple Ethan meets at the above mentioned Chinese restaurant. And Hal knows Lorna, who has her own place locally. In fact, Hal sort of barges in on her, forcing her to take all three of them in as their savings dwindle.
As you can imagine, they soon wear out their welcome and have to come up with a new plan.
The story begins "present day" (1989) as Ethan is being interviewed by police after the bodies have been discovered. From there, the story alternates back and forth as Ethan recounts the tale to the detective in charge.
Their plan is an idealistic one. And obviously, as anyone could predict, one that doesn't pan out.
As I said, this isn't a cult novel but instead a book that explores the pitfalls of capitalism and more. And while it's set in the late 80s, it's absolutely a timely read!
The Margins is incredibly captivating and moves quickly, begging to be read in one sitting!
And so a plan was made. They would hike out to a remote paradise and live off the land.
Except things didn't quite work out that way. By the end, over 700 people were dead. And only Ethan was left to tell the story.
While this isn't technically a cult book, it's close enough. And it's not all pleasant reading, either (you've been warned).
Ethan was a pharmacists's assistant back in England. He says he was, in his parents' eyes, the failure of the family. His trip to India isn't so much of an attempt to find himself as it was an escape.
Which is kind of the same for Div, Hal, and Lorna.
Div and Hal come first. A couple Ethan meets at the above mentioned Chinese restaurant. And Hal knows Lorna, who has her own place locally. In fact, Hal sort of barges in on her, forcing her to take all three of them in as their savings dwindle.
As you can imagine, they soon wear out their welcome and have to come up with a new plan.
The story begins "present day" (1989) as Ethan is being interviewed by police after the bodies have been discovered. From there, the story alternates back and forth as Ethan recounts the tale to the detective in charge.
Their plan is an idealistic one. And obviously, as anyone could predict, one that doesn't pan out.
As I said, this isn't a cult novel but instead a book that explores the pitfalls of capitalism and more. And while it's set in the late 80s, it's absolutely a timely read!
The Margins is incredibly captivating and moves quickly, begging to be read in one sitting!
September 30, 2021
Gripping from the off…
We meet our main character, Ethan Hicks, as he’s sitting in a police interrogation room. He’s the only survivor of a landslide high in the mountains of north eastern India. He’s injured, but…
Told from Ethan’s point of view, in both present and flashback, the story jumps through the backpacking scene of the early 1980’s and tells the tale of an ‘instant’ commune that becomes corrupted (as they often do) by the greed of a couple of members.
I wasn’t sure about this one when I picked it up – but I’m so very glad I did.
Ethan’s bouncing around India when he meets Hal and Div in a restaurant, and falls into a life he couldn’t imagine. Drugs, sex, death, greed and all the bad sides of human nature are exposed in this one. Strangely (and maybe it’s just me), I didn’t get the love. To me, that bit was paper-thin and not properly expressed. But the obsession? I definitely got that. Drugs and the ultimate ‘bad influence’ leading to moral decay? Tick.
As riveting as this was, I also found the writing a little formal – but I guess that’s the way in literary fiction. I found it surprising that the Indian police use contractions in their speech, while Ethan does not. It niggled me, but not enough to make me stop reading.
The epilogue floored me. I was reaching for Google.
The Margins will definitely appeal to fans of The Beach or The Backpacker – its a shocking tale of what happens when you’re not really looking.
We meet our main character, Ethan Hicks, as he’s sitting in a police interrogation room. He’s the only survivor of a landslide high in the mountains of north eastern India. He’s injured, but…
Told from Ethan’s point of view, in both present and flashback, the story jumps through the backpacking scene of the early 1980’s and tells the tale of an ‘instant’ commune that becomes corrupted (as they often do) by the greed of a couple of members.
I wasn’t sure about this one when I picked it up – but I’m so very glad I did.
Ethan’s bouncing around India when he meets Hal and Div in a restaurant, and falls into a life he couldn’t imagine. Drugs, sex, death, greed and all the bad sides of human nature are exposed in this one. Strangely (and maybe it’s just me), I didn’t get the love. To me, that bit was paper-thin and not properly expressed. But the obsession? I definitely got that. Drugs and the ultimate ‘bad influence’ leading to moral decay? Tick.
As riveting as this was, I also found the writing a little formal – but I guess that’s the way in literary fiction. I found it surprising that the Indian police use contractions in their speech, while Ethan does not. It niggled me, but not enough to make me stop reading.
The epilogue floored me. I was reaching for Google.
The Margins will definitely appeal to fans of The Beach or The Backpacker – its a shocking tale of what happens when you’re not really looking.
September 20, 2021
Brilliantly written and well executed debut novel. Ethan Hicks is the sole survivor of the Himalayan mountain tragedy and he gives his statement to the police. He's the key to finding out what went down.
Definitely unputdownable and I finished it in one sitting. The author touches some heavy subjects like colonialism, exploitation and capitalism.
Loved how the author switched between the dual timeline flawlessly. I liked Ethan's character. Definitely recommend this book.
Definitely unputdownable and I finished it in one sitting. The author touches some heavy subjects like colonialism, exploitation and capitalism.
Loved how the author switched between the dual timeline flawlessly. I liked Ethan's character. Definitely recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2021
I was very surprised to find out that this was the author's debut novel.
This was one of those unputdownable reads, compelling & gripping. Very well written, with a bunch of relatable characters, whose complex stories unfolded as the book progressed.
The book takes a serious swipe at colonialism, worker exploitation, the gig economy & the environmental impact of capitalism.
Overall I found myself really enjoying this character driven read & would highly recommend it to anyone.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot & gifted copy.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 4 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
This was one of those unputdownable reads, compelling & gripping. Very well written, with a bunch of relatable characters, whose complex stories unfolded as the book progressed.
The book takes a serious swipe at colonialism, worker exploitation, the gig economy & the environmental impact of capitalism.
Overall I found myself really enjoying this character driven read & would highly recommend it to anyone.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot & gifted copy.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 4 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
December 10, 2021
Ethan is a survivor of a tragedy, unfortunately it looks like the sole survivor, which means the police have questions. The reader gets a glimpse of the man who started looking for purpose, whilst dawdling his life away in India. He meets like minded people with a penchant for mind-numbing substances - together they decide to create their own solution to their lack of purpose. Now, everyone is dead - except for Ethan of course.
In a way Margins holds the concept of why theoretical ideology of societal structures is often only a good idea in theory. Take communes as your attempt at Marxist Communism for example. Communism only ever works well in theory, because ultimately capitalism and greed supersedes the ideology, and of course someone has to or wants to be in charge. There will always be a hierarchy no matter how equal society is structured.
Also, just to note, that statistically the majority of communes, cults are brought to life by privileged white men. In this case the irony of the privileged wanting to escape the chains and societal burdens laden upon them by capitalism by escaping into a self-made utopia of equality with no rules, which then turns into an excellent example of how capitalism works and of course the exploitation of workers.
Although this is a premise that is deeply ingrained with a message about societal structures and the fallacy of the practical usage of theoretical ideologies, Wigglesworth has written it as very cleverly constructed suspect and crime scenario. I loved it, it's definitely one of my best reads of the year.
*I received a courtesy copy*
In a way Margins holds the concept of why theoretical ideology of societal structures is often only a good idea in theory. Take communes as your attempt at Marxist Communism for example. Communism only ever works well in theory, because ultimately capitalism and greed supersedes the ideology, and of course someone has to or wants to be in charge. There will always be a hierarchy no matter how equal society is structured.
Also, just to note, that statistically the majority of communes, cults are brought to life by privileged white men. In this case the irony of the privileged wanting to escape the chains and societal burdens laden upon them by capitalism by escaping into a self-made utopia of equality with no rules, which then turns into an excellent example of how capitalism works and of course the exploitation of workers.
Although this is a premise that is deeply ingrained with a message about societal structures and the fallacy of the practical usage of theoretical ideologies, Wigglesworth has written it as very cleverly constructed suspect and crime scenario. I loved it, it's definitely one of my best reads of the year.
*I received a courtesy copy*
October 16, 2021
I devoured this book in less than a day and practically never looked up from my screen. The writing, the settings, the description all resonated and then a growing sense of unease and despondency set upon me. Mainly, down to the writer's skills in building up a picture of a dark drug-fuelled existence, a bleak look at capitalism and those who defy it. It's a book about how greed wins, the state of humanity, the reason why people drop out of society and eventually the disappointment of realising that it wasn't an idyll.
The scenes which took place in the interview room - I could feel the sweat, tears and blood seeping from the page. The horror that emerges from the tale will actually make you internally recoil. Then comes the end and that's what scared me. As I could easily imagine being one of those children and that is what bruised my soul.
Easily one of the most thought-provoking books I have read this year. Probably to do with my personal history but I do urge you to read it. Let me know your thoughts.
The scenes which took place in the interview room - I could feel the sweat, tears and blood seeping from the page. The horror that emerges from the tale will actually make you internally recoil. Then comes the end and that's what scared me. As I could easily imagine being one of those children and that is what bruised my soul.
Easily one of the most thought-provoking books I have read this year. Probably to do with my personal history but I do urge you to read it. Let me know your thoughts.
July 14, 2022
A compelling novel with believable, flawed characters. The action moves quickly as the situation our protagonist finds himself in spirals, and layer upon layer of complexities build around him. Within the story there are important points about human greed and the futility of trying to create utopian societies. The direction of the story is unpredictable and all the more satisfying because of it. A wonderful debut!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews