Alex+Antonowicz+book+review

Title: Beautiful Malice Author: Rebecca James

The novel setting is a classic summer Sydney beach scene. The story is sectioned into three different times; the present date, the past 5 years ago and further into the past 15 years ago. The story begins in a beautiful summers evening in today present time, then the story changes time to the past 5 years ago during. As the story develops it goes further into the past approximately 15 years.

Katherine: Is the main character who unfortunately encounters devastating situations. She becomes somewhat restricted and timid after a traumatising event involving her younger sister. Just as Katherine learns to forgive herself and becomes a more confident person more disaster hits. Katherine then becomes confined, depressed and constantly miserable. Katherine than changes her values of friends and fun too safety and trust.

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Mike: Is significant outgoing character. He is the light in the story because of his charming personality. Mike brightens up the mood of the story. He conveyed to be a hilarious, cheerful person who knows real fun. The values fun and adventure to its up most climax. ======

Mikes most significant moment is when he helps Katherine recover and become better but when all turns good for Katherine, Mike comes to a sudden end.
Alice: Is the villain in this story. She has deep issues formed by a terrible upbringing. Her bad past makes her seek revenge on those who had it better. She is described as a ruthless, conniving burden. Alice’s only priority is to ruin the life of others. Alice becomes a key part in the novel when she stalks Katherine and initially tries to make her sad and remind her of the dark times.

The story begins in the past 5 years in the view of a sad girl. It starts at a point where the bad has been done but the worst is just about to form. As the story continues there are constant flashbacks of the further past 15 years ago. Towards the end it all comes together and all the different things that have happened come together and to form the present. The mood is constantly sad and very dark. Rarely it varies and becomes slighter brighter. Towards the end though the novel definitely comes to peace and it ends on a high note. The novel is told in first person in the view of an emotionally wrecked woman who has to overcome horrible situations and find peace within her.

The important relation formed is the love interest between Katherine and Mike. They find each other ironically trough there enemy. Instantly there is a clear connection between the two. As the story develops so does their relationship.

The book makes me think about what is truly important in life and no matter what everybody deserves a second chance, nobody is truly evil.

I thought the novel was a good awakening message upon the world. I would recommend this novel to others who can handle rather disturbing things. This shouldn’t be read by primary school students or younger because of the strong content. Although there are strong themed parts it is an amazingly well written novel.