The Eighth Girl an addictive novel that reads like a binge-worthy television show and is well worth the escapism we all desire during these uncertain times. Chung clearly knows her stuff, and it is best to just follow along with the narrative than try to figure out what is real, what is true, and what may be part of some fantasy. I hope to see more from this talented author in the near future.
Debut author Chung is a psychotherapist, and her approach to Alexa’s mental health issues is an interesting one. Though extremely dark and disturbing, this psychological thriller, told in the voice of multiple unreliable narrators, is filled with surprises until the end, and is a fresh take on the suspense genre.
The author, whose credentials as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist bring authenticity to the sessions between Alexa and Daniel, sensitively explores Alexa’s traumatic childhood and vividly renders her multiple personalities. However, despite a clever twist, readers will have to suspend disbelief to accept the overly neat conclusion. That said, fans of psychological thrillers will be curious to see what Mei-Fung Chung comes up with next.
Alexa and Ella repeatedly take outrageous risks, leaving readers to wonder why Alexa doesn’t just call the police already, and following Alexa’s movements within the narrative is often confusing. Alexa and Daniel both narrate, and while Daniel’s sessions with Alexa are intriguing (if readers can stomach his growing lust for her), the space devoted to his nonprofessional life feels like filler. Where Chung, who is a practicing psychoanalytic psychotherapist, really shines is in the frenetic juggling of Alexa and her Flock, and some significant narrative gaps do come (mostly) into focus after the big twist is revealed. The well-worn trope of the unreliable narrator soars to new heights in this flawed but often fascinating debut.
