Review: The Girl Before

The Girl Before by Rena Olsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This review is also found on Goodreads! :)
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Actual Rating: 3.8 stars
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First: This story is nothing like Gone Girl. I was right when I expected a different flavor between the two, and that was what I got. The Girl Before is so eerily realistic, because it can happen (or is already happening) in real life. And that's what makes it as scary (but not as amazingly deranged) as Gone Girl.

I went through a whirlwind of emotions as I read this book: scared and angry, wistful and teary. What Clara went through was painful. Even as the reader, I felt it. I marveled at how Olsen accomplished that. The book shifts between then and now--a technique that was so skillfully demonstrated by Olsen when she seamlessly chronicled Clara's story. The stark contrast between her Then and Now showed a life of love, sins, regret and forgiveness. Glen and Clara's relationship also provided a different insight as to what victims of human trafficking go through, with realities questioned, and normalcies shadowed with fear and doubt. I wanted Glen redeemed because Clara loved him so much, but I know if that happens, it won't be realistic. And it would be a slap to the faces of his victims when justice isn't served. Clara's "sentence" actually wasn't enough for me. I wanted her healed, but I also think she got off easy with the punishment. But at the same time, I know that her painful recovery and intense guilt is punishment enough for her. I don't know, I'm a bit undecided on what I want for Clara at this point.

Up until the middle of the story, I was expecting a mind-blowing twist. Until I realized I won't get it, because as I've already known beforehand, this book is a psychological thriller, and not a mystery. I wasn't disappointed when it dawned on me though, because I was in too deep with Clara's story that I just had to know what happens next; I just had to know how her story plays out.

However, I cannot help but feel that Clara has been so special--too special. I couldn't understand why everyone wanted her. Why everyone was so keen on getting her. Is it only integral to the story as a plot point? What is it about her? This is actually one of the very few reasons why I didn't give this book a higher score. Don't get me wrong, I love strong girls and heroines, but I wanted a heroine who isn't the girl that often stands out because she's pretty. I wanted a heroine that isn't always the popular girl. I guess, I want a heroine that's not always easy to love and root for.

IMPORTANT: Clara's story is important because it sheds a light on human trafficking. Along with other important issues, human trafficking remains to be a worldwide problem affecting many individuals and their families. Let us show our support in combating human trafficking by research, spreading awareness, and reaching out to the victims. A quick Google search will show a list of non-profit organizations that fight against this issue.

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