An Anonymous Girl

'An Anonymous Girl' has not one but two authors (Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen), each one showing us a different characters perspective of the events that their book collectively discloses to the reader. It is a job that they do well. I say that the events of the book are being "disclosed" to the reader because as each characters version unfolds it feels almost like an intrusion. We are hearing their thoughts and know what they are thinking, following them as they commit acts that they later deny to their opposing character, acts that have the power to both frustrate and ignite anxiety in everyone including the reader.

The story starts off by following Jessica, a woman in her early twenties who lives in the city on her own and works as a freelance makeup artist. Things change when Jessica sneaks her way into a payed psychology study and soon becomes the only candidate the doctor in charge wishes to continue the study with. Enter Dr. Shields who goes on to secretly condition Jessica while telling her the study is on human morality. The story continues from the perspectives of both women both in and out of the study as it begins to shape both of their lives.when the tests administered by Dr. Shields are taken outside of the classroom (literally) we begin to see who people are and how far they are willing to go to get the answers they want even if they are fake, even if it means the murder.

I can't help but compare 'An Anonymous Girl' to 'YOU' by: Caroline Kepnes. Its not necessarily the stalker aspect though one of the main characters of 'An Anonymous Girl' could probably match Joe in every way, if not better him (if you have read the book you know who I'm talking about). I'm talking about the way we are introduced to our main characters, and how they are artfully unfolded to the reader. It starts off slow, we come to see them as normal people and we place them in our own categories, Intelligent shopkeeper, a girl trying to make it big and support her family at the same time, and finally the elegant and respected doctor. Once we become comfortable with theses characters we begin to see them change. These changes could be based off of how they engage with one another, but it could also just be their nature. As the story continues to unfold the difference becomes apparent, the change more rapid, and at some points they can almost feel like a slap to the face, leaving you stunned at the will of a character to push forward, the realization of how deep an obsession, or the monstrous nature that has been so easily hidden and for so long. I personally had several nights where I couldn't put 'An Anonymous Girl' down because a certain character had unfurled so much and began to divulge information that shed so much light on aspects of themselves the reader never would have thought to question, but that explained so much.


Though the story starts off slow it quickly turns into an anxiety inducing battle of wits, lies, truths, and lives that you can't help but keep following, if only to know how far some people will go.

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