The Clever One

Title: The Clever One
Author: Helena Close
Pages: 314
Gifted Teenager Maeve Horan is an outsider in her own family. She is the clever one: studious, hard-working, and destined for good things. When her sister has a baby with Big, an abusive small-time criminal, she fears the worst for the child's upbringing.
While Maeve's mother is content to go along with the charade of happy families, her brother Cian seems too busy trying to figure out his sexual orientation to care. Frustrated, Maeve decides to take drastic action alone to remedy the situation.
But sometimes people can be too clever for their own good. Her plan goes badly awry, with disastrous consequences. In the aftermath, Maeve struggles to come to terms with  the fallout - and guilt.

My thoughts: Overall, it was a rather good book. As it is set in Ireland I could relate to a lot of things. Based around the stereotype that Limerick is the thug city of Ireland, expect a lot of bad language and horror situations. I like the main character Maeve. She's smart but stuck in a family who don't appreciate her. Yet she thinks she knows what is right. I found that irritating because it was blatently obvious she was in the wrong! I wasn't too happy with the ending either, because it's not the happy ever after I expected. This book is realistic, almost blunt, about life. In the end there is hope but not perfection.

The Cover: based on this cover in the picture it looks like a light-hearted read. Like one of those Marian Keyes books or Maeve Binchy's.  Suitable for adults and the more mature of teenagers, the cover is fine. It's realistic, just like the story inside.

The Movie: There is no film version, from what I can gather. I think it would make a good movie. It has that frustrating element that keeps you awake. There's also a lot of suspense towards the end. It even has the love drama, peer pressure, teenage situations, death and family. I'd like the cast to stay Irish. So maybe actors from Love/Hate would fit in well!

Recommendations: For fifteen and up. It is an interesting book but it won't keep you on the edge of your seat. I give this book 3.5 stars.

Happy Reading!

Marian x