Book Review // Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson

Before I Go To Sleep - S J Watson, published 2011

Before I Go To Sleep tells the story of a middle-aged woman named Christine who suffers from anterograde amnesia - she wakes up every morning with no recollection of who or where she is. The book is a psychological thriller that follows Christine as she attempts to reconstruct her memories and discover who she is. 

For a first novel I think that this book is very well written and well paced. As a reader you are kept in a sense of anticipation as to what will happen next throughout the book. I enjoy psychological thrillers and find stories that revolve around memory quite fascinating (Memento and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind happen to be a couple of my favourite films), so I was instantly drawn towards the premise of this novel. Although a little slow in parts, I think that this doesn't distract from the book rather acts to highlight the mundane suburban existence that Christine finds herself living. For me the ending was somewhat predictable and dry, but overall I enjoyed the story and felt that I connected with the character of Christine - a trait that I look for and associate with a good writer. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller and I am looking forward to SJ Watson's next novel! Before I Go To Sleep is now being turned into a film adaption written and directed by Rowan Joffé, starring Nicole Kidman as Christine and Colin Firth as Ben. I will be intrigued to see how the film lives up to the novel and how the actors will portray the characters. I think Colin Firth has been cast well but remain unsure of Nicole Kidman as Christine.

Have you read Before I Go To Sleep? What do you think about the film adaption?