Review of The Shining Girls: A Novel by Lauren Beukes
When I stumbled upon The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes, I was instantly captivated by the unique premise: a time-traveling serial killer and the one girl who refuses to stay dead. It felt like the perfect concoction of suspense and speculative fiction, and I couldn’t resist diving into this chilling narrative that’s just been adapted into a series on Apple TV+. As a lover of thrillers with a twist, the dance of horror and hope in this book intrigued me, making it impossible to look away.
At its core, The Shining Girls explores the fragile nature of potential and the destructive force of evil through the eyes of its fierce protagonist, Kirby Mazrachi. Kirby, a survivor of a brutal attack by the time-traveling killer, Harper Curtis, becomes an investigator in her own right, seeking to unravel the mystery of her attempted murder and the fate of the other “shining girls” who met a more tragic end. What struck me about Kirby was not just her tenacity but her relatability—she carries the scars of her trauma, both physically and emotionally. Her quest for justice resonates deeply, and the fact that she’s a survivor among so many have been cruelly snuffed out adds a haunting layer to her character.
Harper, on the other hand, is the embodiment of twisted ambition. Beukes takes us into his psyche, showing us a man who believes he’s predestined to extinguish the light of these young women. The juxtaposition of Kirby’s survival against Harper’s malevolence creates an uneasy tension that kept me on the edge of my seat. The way Beukes crafts the narrative was indeed compelling, as the timelines intertwine in a dance of chaos and clarity. One moment, we’re prowling through the dark alleys of a Depression-era Chicago, and in a shift, we’re thrust into the colorful but equally menacing 1990s, all under the watchful eye of the mysterious house that bridges time.
Beukes’ writing is both lyrical and sharp, effortlessly flowing between moments of dark humor and gripping horror. Her prose has a way of lingering in the air, much like the tension she builds throughout the story. A particular quote struck me: “The future is not as loud as war, but it is relentless with a terrible fury all its own.” It perfectly encapsulates the relentless pursuit of hope in the face of despair, a theme that resonated with me as I read.
While some may find the pacing to meander at times or wish for more depth in the exploration of time travel mechanics, for me, the layers of character development and societal commentary overshadowed these minor grievances. The violence is graphic and unsettling, but it serves the purpose of making the horrors of violence against women palpable and deeply felt, resonating long after the final page is turned.
I’d recommend The Shining Girls to readers who crave a blend of psychological thrills and speculative fiction, as well as those who appreciate taking a closer look at narratives about women’s resilience. It’s a gripping read that offers both entertained chills and profound reflections on the consequences of violence. For fans of Jennifer McMahon or Tana French, this novel will likely linger in your thoughts just as it did mine.
In conclusion, Beukes has crafted a haunting masterpiece that not only terrorizes the reader but calls into question the time-honored trope of the “damsel in distress.” In Kirby, we find a heroine ready to flip the script, reminding us all that light, even when threatened, can shine fiercely against the darkness. Reading The Shining Girls was a journey through time, terror, and ultimately, triumph—a journey I won’t soon forget.
You can find The Shining Girls: A Novel here >>