This was easily my most anticipated book of the year. Claire North is one of the few authors whose books instantly jump to the top of my TBR, and The Pursuit of William Abbey in no way disappointed my lofty expectations.
This novel marks the first time I can recall North using a framing device for the story, and it’s used to brilliant effect. A nurse near the front lines of WWI encounters the mysterious Dr. William Abbey, who shares with her his life’s story.
Dr. Abbey is cursed. He’s constantly pursued by his shadow, the ghost of a dead boy he saw murdered in South Africa. If his shadow touches him, the person he loves most will die. And as the shadow nears, Dr. Abbey begins to hear the truths of others’ hearts.
Our capacity for destruction always runs ahead of our willingness to invest in the well-being of others.
Each night while Dr. Abbey tells his story to the nurse, his shadow grows closer. Each night, Dr. Abbey loses a little more of his ability to lie, which in turn influences his story. We’re left to wonder how much of his early story is true and how much is altered to present himself in a favorable light. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly truthful, making Dr. Abbey one of the more unique unreliable narrators I’ve encountered.
As always, North takes a single fascinating idea and explores it from every angle. Some characters see their shadow as a blessing, a way to stay close with a departed relative or use the power of truth seeking to their advantage. Others, like Dr. Abbey, see it as a curse. A constant danger to one’s sanity and loved ones.
And then there are those who seek to weaponize it. Wealthy nations can use truth seekers as the ultimate spies, forever a short train ride ahead of their shadow. “Civilized” truth seekers are applauded, while those from less affluent backgrounds are exploited.
“Perhaps you don’t hate the British,” I mused. “Perhaps it is simply injustice.”
“…Of course it is injustice! But when injustice wears the same pasty face, you make connections, no?”
North’s writing is brimming with anger for this exploitation, offering a scathing critique of capitalism, imperialism, and racism. It’s interesting how truth—widely considered to be a desirable, moral concept—can be used to fuel greed and destroy empathy. Our personal truths are rarely as objective as we believe. It is possible—even common—to believe contradictory things simultaneously. In today’s world where facts themselves can be seen as mutable weapons, the nature of “personal truths” resonates powerfully.
At times it felt like the story emphasized ideas at the expense of emotional investment in the characters. And yet, North has a talent for effortless characterization through dialogue, small mannerisms, and relatable motivations.
If truth is the primary theme of this story, love is a close second. Love keeps the truth seekers running from their shadows, drives how they form relationships, and shapes how they use their abilities. Love is both the axe hanging over their heads and their motivation to persevere. And like truth, it’s not a concept easily understood.
Of all North’s previous work, The Pursuit of William Abbey feels most similar to The Sudden Appearance of Hope. It mixes the fantastic with a hard look at our society, and will likely leave you grappling with the issues addressed long after you finish the last page. After all, there’s a reason Claire North was one of the select few writers initially approached to novelize Netflix’s Black Mirror.
If a story about the nature of truth, love, colonialism, and revenge sounds intriguing, consider giving this story a shot. It’s a powerful, brilliant critique of today’s society and a damn fine story.
You want to know my personal truth? I loved this book, and I hope you do too.
I received a free ARC of this book from Orbit via Edeweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review. The Pursuit of William Abbey by Claire North releases November 12, 2019. If you enjoyed this book, check out my glowing review of another Claire North novel, Touch.
Fascinating that the shadow forces him to become more truthful. Reminds me of the Blammor in The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, the shadow that kills by making people see the truth about themselves.