Toby has lived a privileged life. He is handsome, charming, popular, financially well off and - as everyone around him seems to believe - extremely lucky.

However, after a brutal attack leaves him impaired and with some memory loss, Toby starts on a downward spiral.

While still drowning in the trauma of the attack he learns his favourite uncle has a terminal tumor, a skeleton is discovered in his uncle’s backyard - where Toby and his cousins spent a lot of their childhood - and the police flag him as a murder suspect. The most disturbing part of it all: it seems someone is trying to frame him.

Consumed by paranoia and PTSD Toby sets off to identify the person trying to frame him. Not only does he make things worse, but he discovers that most of what he thought he knew about himself and his beloved family have been a lie.

There was so much to love about this book. I was intrigued by the concept - it’s like a modern and less festive rendition of A Christmas Carol. I also enjoyed how the book explores moral ambiguity, identity, the consequences of actions and inactions, and how one’s point of view changes the truth. And, with quite a number of unreliable narrators I was kept on my toes.

However, there were a few issues that made this book a chore to read. For one, Toby is an insufferable character. He is self-absorbed, arrogant, self righteous and condescending. Then there is the slow pace of the book. It often felt like we were going off on a tangent, where nothing significant happens for one or two chapters. Perhaps this was a way for the reader to experience the Toby's world post brain injury. However, it was just a bit wearisome.

As for the ending? It was nothing short of depressing. Even though I did not necessarily find myself rooting or empathising for Toby, I found his apathy regarding his physical and mental recovery frustrating.

Title: Unraveling Identity and Deception: A Review of "The Wych Elm" by Tana French

Have you ever found yourself lost in the labyrinth of your own mind, questioning the essence of your identity and grappling with the shadows of your past? Tana French's "The Wych Elm" plunges readers into the enigmatic world of Toby, a character whose life takes a tumultuous turn after a harrowing assault. Presented with an opportunity to review the book courtesy of NetGalley and Penguin Random House, I embarked on a journey through the pages with eager anticipation.

Initially captivated by Toby's humanity and the vivid portrayal of his injury, I soon found myself grappling with mixed emotions as his character evolved. While I appreciated the raw authenticity of his reactions, I couldn't shake the growing sense of frustration with his self-absorption and entitled demeanor. Toby's descent into mean-spiritedness served as a stark reminder of the flaws and complexities that often lurk beneath the surface of individuals in our society.

Amidst Toby's internal turmoil, the discovery of a skull hidden within the ancient wych elm in the garden sets in motion a riveting tale of mystery and introspection. As detectives delve into the unsettling revelations surrounding the Ivy House and Toby's family history, the narrative unfolds with tantalizing suspense.

However, despite moments of intrigue and the endearing portrayal of characters like Toby's uncle, I found myself wading through prolonged stretches of the story where the plot seemed to stagnate. The absence of significant developments left me yearning for more depth and momentum, ultimately diminishing my enthusiasm for the book.

Reflecting on "The Wych Elm," I am reminded of the profound impact of pivotal moments in our lives—the dark hinges that alter our trajectories and force us to confront the shadows that linger within. Through her masterful prose, Tana French explores themes of identity, memory, and the deceptive allure of nostalgia, inviting readers to ponder the intricacies of human nature.

In conclusion, while "The Wych Elm" offers glimpses of brilliance and thought-provoking insights, its meandering pace and uneven characterization may deter some readers. Nevertheless, for those willing to embark on a journey of self-discovery and unraveling secrets, this novel presents a compelling exploration of the blurred lines between truth and illusion, leaving us to ponder the enigmatic question: What do we become when we no longer recognize ourselves?

As I close the final chapter, I am left contemplating the delicate balance between perception and reality, and the enduring mysteries that lie beneath the surface of our own identities.

"... For me it all goes back to that night, the dark corroded hinge between before and after, the slipped-in sheet of trick glass that tints everything on one side in its own murky colours and leaves everything on the other luminous, achingly close, untouched and untouchable."

There is one night that changes Toby's life irrevocably. He's violently attacked in his home, during what appears to be a robbery. The damage inflicted is both physical and emotional: Toby recalls only flashes of the night the incident took place, fear that those responsible will return clasps him in a vice grip. To help his recovery, Toby and his girlfriend Melissa move into the home of his family's ancestral home. There, Toby helps look after his dying uncle, while recalling some of the best times of his life, all spent at Ivy House.

But the discovery of a skull, hidden in the trunk of a Wych Elm at Ivy House, threatens to unravel everything Toby thought he knew about the good old days, his loved ones and himself. Detectives begin asking questions Toby finds increasingly difficult to answer.

French masterfully examines the fallibility of memory and the burning nature of fear. "I'd never known anything like it could exist: all-consuming, ravenous, a whirling black vortex that sucked me under so completely and mercilessly that it truly felt like I was being devoured alive, bones splintered, marrow sucked," Toby recalls. His inconsistent recollections brilliantly sustain the tension throughout the book and has the reader questioning everything.