“You” was written by former journalist Caroline Kepnes and was published on September 30, 2014. Four years later, on September 9, 2018, “You” was released as a Netflix original TV show that sparked much more interest in the book series. The book is both a psychological thriller and a chilling diary-like story from the perspective of Joe Goldberg, a New York man who is searching for “the one.” But in his mission to find his soulmate, Joe becomes obsessed with every woman he dates, resulting in a sequence of murders told through an unsettling mix of first-person and second-person point of view.
This story wastes no time with action. Kepnes mastered quick pacing within this novel and excellent storytelling abilities. In the first 100 pages, she throws the readers into illegal activities that Joe seemingly does daily. Towards the middle of this thriller, Joe has found himself in an on-and-off relationship with the female protagonist, Beck. Kepnes expertly writes Beck to have clear and severe flaws. In contrast, she writes Joe to be very purposely ignorant of these flaws, as he repeatedly excuses them and explains them logically. Towards the end, as Joe’s love with Beck goes sour, Kepnes writes Joe’s spiral in a raw and intense manner as he suddenly views all Beck’s aforementioned flaws as unforgivable.
Kepnes also expertly characterized each protagonist in a unique way. In the very beginning of this intense narrative, Joe is quickly made out to be bitter and desperate, but he is also written to be a misinformed romantic who craves long-term stability. On the other hand, Beck is written to be deeply troubled and insecure as she chases temporary stability. These starring characters contrast one another very realistically, which Kepnes intentionally wrote to create dimensional individuals and dynamics that readers are drawn to.
The ending of the novel tied together disturbingly well. Kepnes wrote a petrifying build-up through 434 pages, in which the overarching plot was dubious, but Caroline Kepnes efficiently kept the attention of the readers through red herrings, unique monologues, and themes.
Avid reader and Chino Hills High student, JJ Castañara, commented on the novel, saying, “I was hooked the whole time… it was so disturbing, I just couldn’t stop reading it.”
Eleanor Roosevelt High School student, Jay Moguel, said, “I read it as an independent book project, and I finished it a week before we had to. It was that good.”
Caroline Kepnes continues to advertise “You” and her three other books that continue the successful series, and she continues to support the TV adaptation of her bestselling novel.
