You

You is one novel in which the second person narrative makes absolute sense. In many ways, it allows readers greater insight into Joe’s mental state and thought processes more intimately than an omniscient third-person narrator could ever accomplish. It even becomes an intriguing part of the story, taking on a life of its own and bringing understanding to the final scene. In fact, You would not be half as creepy with any other type of narrator.

Joe is a complete stalker, obsessed with Beck at first sight. However, as disturbing as his behavior is, there are multiple moments within the novel in which Joe becomes a sympathetic figure. He may be a total pervert and just this side of a mental facility, but he is charming, erudite, and show more extremely well-read. He is so convincing in his love for Beck that readers will forgive the fact that he has hacked into her computer, broken into her apartment, followed her across state lines, spied on her, stolen her phone, and much more. One actually hopes he will end up with the girl of his dreams or at least find a way to live happily ever after. When they do get together, Joe’s effusive joy is nothing short of infectious.

In a fascinating twist of events, it is the stalked who becomes the bad guy rather than the stalker. As Joe learns more about Beck and her quirks, alarm bells start ringing in readers’ heads, for Beck is no angel. She’s flighty, needy, and self-centered; more importantly, there is a darker side to her that only readers can see because Joe is blind to her faults. Just as readers want Joe to get a fairy-tale ending, they simultaneously begin to wonder if Beck is truly Joe’s path to a happy ending. The sense of unease readers first experience when meeting Joe soon dissipates as he grows in sympathy only to return with a vengeance by the time Beck and Joe stop dancing around each other. At the same time, those alarm bells morph into klaxons.

You is every bit as depraved and twisted as one would expect a story about a stalker to be. However, there is more than a little humor in it, so much so that one may call it a black comedy. Adding to that is Joe’s knowledge of books and authors and the frequency with which he peppers his thoughts and speech with bookish references. In Joe, we have a much more modern version of a non-cannibal Hannibal Lecter – charismatic, intelligent, and surprisingly sensitive – and the ending is extremely satisfying for readers who have come to really enjoy Joe and his obsessions. Graphic in its sexuality, language, and violence, You may not be for everyone, but for those who are not easily offended or enjoy the dark and disturbed, You is definitely a must-read. show less

You is a perfect example of the hypnotic influence of a compelling unreliable narrator. Because we can only view the world through Joe’s distorted lens, we are forced to create a reality out of his delusions. Throughout the story, Joe charms the reader with his intellect and wit in the same way that he lures his potential victims. While reading this heart-pounding thriller, it is impossible to escape the unsettling feeling of anxiety. Like a rollercoaster, Kepnes structures her plot around the builds. As our minds become increasingly intertwined with Joe’s, the plot escalates and then, we’re left suspended. You is all about waiting for the drop.

"You" has stayed with me big time since I finished it! I listened to it on audio and the narrator killed it (not unlike his character). It was equal parts hilarious and horrifying. I was pleasantly surprised by how clever and witty the discreet humor was. I know I probably should have been more creeped out than anything, but I laughed more than I shuddered - and I should maybe be ashamed by that? Because it was a genuinely disturbing story and there's noo denying that! The thing is, disturbing is entertaining when done right. And 'You' is done as right as they come.

This is the reason I'm on Goodreads. This book.

A few days ago, I happened across a glowing review from Edward Lorn, an author and reviewer who's opinion I take quite seriously. We don't always agree on what makes a book good, but he praised this novel up, down, and sideways, so I figured I've have to check it out. It's not a book that would have ever been on my radar otherwise.

So, because of Goodreads, I read You. And, holy shit, am I ever glad I did.

There's nothing incredibly shocking here. The plot is actually somewhat predictable. But what the author does with Joe, the narrator, the insights she gives him, the POV, the sheer manic stream of consciousness outpouring of...well...everything...is simply breathtaking. It's like talking to show more someone for a few hours that's ADD to start with, then is pumped full of coffee. Joe's like the energizer bunny, just going and going and going, and it's a beautiful thing to behold.

I'm not going to spoil a damn thing here, because this is a novel that should be experienced cold. I know there's some issues with others about all the references to a specific time, with all the mentions of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and King's Dr. Sleep, and it will ultimately serve to date this novel. But damn, what Kepnes does with all those pop culture references is amazing.

I loved this novel. show less

The main merit of this novel, and what distinguishes from the Netflix series, is masterfully threading the thin line between the realistic depiction of a deranged stalker's perspective and the glamourisation of women's abuse, without ever falling on the other side.
The inner voice of the protagonist, constantly spinning the narrative of control and obsession and of their rationalisation, makes for a wildly unsettling ride. And kudos to the author for making the victim(s) quite unlikeable. She proved a point there: being hyper-sexualised, cheating, lying, posing and being immature DOES NOT influence or justify the abuser's actions. It does not get much clearer than in the pages of this narrative, and I guess it would be interesting to show more have it read collectively and discussed in high schools around the world.

A final remark: it is impossible to review this story eithout talking (or at least thinking intensely) about the series which, although I binge-watched it with mucho gusto, falls quite short of setting the boundary between the taking the killer's perspective and looking for a justification. A major symptom of this lack of honesty is the introduction of the healthy friendship between our monster and an abused child, absent in the book. That story line makes it look like he WOULD BE indeed caring and loving, IF ONLY his victims were not so imperfect. Well, this quite betrays the spirit of the novel and casts the shadow of "she asked for it" on the whole thing.

Anyway, the hipster dude had to go XD show less

The main merit of this novel, and what distinguishes from the Netflix series, is masterfully threading the thin line between the realistic depiction of a deranged stalker's perspective and the glamourisation of women's abuse, without ever falling on the other side.
The inner voice of the protagonist, constantly spinning the narrative of control and obsession and of their rationalisation, makes for a wildly unsettling ride. And kudos to the author for making the victim(s) quite unlikeable. She proved a point there: being hyper-sexualised, cheating, lying, posing and being immature DOES NOT influence or justify the abuser's actions. It does not get much clearer than in the pages of this narrative, and I guess it would be interesting to show more have it read collectively and discussed in high schools around the world.

A final remark: it is impossible to review this story eithout talking (or at least thinking intensely) about the series which, although I binge-watched it with mucho gusto, falls quite short of setting the boundary between the taking the killer's perspective and looking for a justification. A major symptom of this lack of honesty is the introduction of the healthy friendship between our monster and an abused child, absent in the book. That story line makes it look like he WOULD BE indeed caring and loving, IF ONLY his victims were not so imperfect. Well, this quite betrays the spirit of the novel and casts the shadow of "she asked for it" on the whole thing.

Anyway, the hipster dude had to go XD show less

You by Caroline Kepnes is a thriller story about an obsessive stalker who poses as a Manhattan bookstore employee but is really living as a predator, hunting and tracking his victim. The book is unusual in that it is told entirely from the stalker’s point of view. The reader gets deep into Joe’s thoughts which are all involving the “You” of his current stalk. He meets Beck when she comes into the bookstore, but something about her attracts him and then they bond over literature.

Joe sees Beck as his perfect match, but his way of worming into her life, leaves no doubt that this is not a romance, but deeply disturbing psychological behavior that is going to eventually implode. Joe uses technology to stalk Beck, and I don’t mean show more that he follows her on Twitter. He hacks into her e-mail, lifts her cellphone and monitors her text messages. He methodically removes anything or anyone that he sees is an obstacle all the while telling himself this is for her own good.

The author excels at placing the reader firmly into Joe’s head and as he works through various situations the sense of impending doom heightens. You is a dark, twisted story that kept me totally engrossed and reading well past my bedtime. show less