Echo Arnold’s book is told in the first person by Imogen who is in her twenties and is floundering a little, trying to keep her head above the stormy waters of life. There are reasons for this, mainly associated with her family situation: her father has died and even though this happened many years ago, she is still grieving. This becomes more highlighted due to the fractious relationship that she has with her mother and the contempt that she holds for her stepfather, Chris, who she also works for.
Her life is stagnating and it stinks of the swamp in every metaphorical way as well as it being difficult to extricate herself due to some well-placed emotional blackmail and controlling behaviour.
So, when Imogen is approached at a gig of the Anarchitects, her favourite band, by Lila, it looks like Imogen’s life is on the up at last. Lila seems keen for Imogen to become her new best friend and provides her with the chance to meet her idol from the band, Luke.
What Arnold then shows in her novel is Imogen’s struggle to escape her life where she is taken advantage of and find the courage to confront those who would keep her, in order to live the life that potentially is being presented to her – if only she can grab it while it’s there.
Lila seems, to all intents and purposes, to be a new friend who can exert a positive influence with her connections and status, as well as providing Imogen with opportunities. But whilst Imogen lacks some resolve, she does generally have strength and this shows in some of the choices that she makes in the book.
There are twists and turns, betrayals and misunderstandings and in a way, this is a novel for our times, with exploitation and politicians and the power of social media reflected in some of the threads in the narrative. There is also the theme of “Who do you trust?” running throughout.
I did feel that considering the amount of bad things that happen in the book, it could have been more intense but the book is well-paced and written fluidly and is very easy to read. Arnold’s phrasing and creating of images with her language choices is at times jaw-droppingly brilliant and her characterisation of Imogen gives her a clear voice and personality.
Scuffed Granny 