I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin: A Haunting Tale of Secrets, Sisterhood, and Unraveling Truths

I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin is a paranormal thriller that dives deep into the bonds of sisterhood, the power of secrets, and the dark corners of the human psyche. Set at the Marshall Naval School, the story follows Margaret and her three best friends – Rose, Flor, and Nisreen – during their final summer at camp. But this year, everything changes: girls are missing, a boy is dead, and all fingers point to Margaret. As the mystery unravels, Margaret must confront her own role in the events of that fateful night and the lies that have bound her to her friends.

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I am a girl. I am a monster, too.

Each summer the girls of Deck Five come back to Marshall Naval School. They sail on jewel-blue waters; they march on green drill-fields; they earn sunburns and honors. They push until they break apart and heal again, stronger.

Each summer Margaret and Rose and Flor and Nisreen come back to the place where they are girls, safe away from the world: sisters bound by something more than blood.

But this summer everything has changed. Girls are missing and a boy is dead. It’s because of Margaret Moore, the boys say. It’s because of what happened that night in the storm.

Margaret’s friends vanish one by one, swallowed up into the lies she has told about what happened between her and a boy with the world at his feet. Can she unravel the secrets of this summer and last, or will she be pulled under by the place she once called home?

Margaret Moore is our narrator, but her reliability is questionable from the start. She’s consumed by her love for a boy and the secrets of a previous summer, which cloud her judgement and leave her at the center of a haunting mystery. While I found Margaret’s perspective intriguing, her character is often hard to connect with due to her disjointed and repetitive narration. Her devotion to a boy who clearly didn’t deserve her felt frustrating, and her inability to see through his manipulations made her seem naive. The narrative unfolds through Margaret’s memories and present experiences, and though this deep dive into her mind is meant to be immersive, it often left me feeling detached.

The supporting cast – Margaret’s friends Rose, Flor, and Nisreen – represent the strength of sisterhood but also the fragility of their bond when tested by tragedy. Their relationships are the heart of the story, but I wish they had been more fully developed, as their individual arcs felt overshadowed by Margaret’s turmoil.

The plot weaves between past and present, gradually revealing the events of the previous summer that led to the death of a boy and the unraveling of Margaret’s world. The timeline shifts frequently, jumping between different summers, which initially caused some confusion, but eventually, I adjusted to the rhythm. The story has a dreamlike quality, filled with repetition and a sense of foreboding that builds as the truth slowly comes to light. However, the pacing felt uneven; the middle dragged with redundant details, and the twists, while intriguing, were sometimes obscured by the book’s abstract narrative style. Despite these issues, the mystery of what truly happened that stormy night kept me turning the pages, even if the payoff was a bit muddled.

Hannah Capin’s writing style is highly poetic, almost like a stream of consciousness that flows in and out of clarity. While this style captures the ethereal and disoriented state of Margaret’s mind, it can also be challenging to follow. The prose is often repetitive, using lyrical language to evoke the foggy, haunted atmosphere of Margaret’s memories and emotions. For me, this approach created a sense of disconnection from the characters and story, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. If you enjoy experimental and non-linear storytelling, you might appreciate the artistry here, but it may not resonate with everyone.

The novel explores themes of sisterhood, betrayal, and the dark consequences of lies. At its core, it’s about the bonds that hold us together and the secrets that can tear us apart. The book delves into the idea of what it means to be a monster, both in the literal and metaphorical sense, and questions how far one will go to protect those they love – or to seek revenge. The paranormal elements add a layer of suspense and intrigue, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural, and leaving the reader questioning what is real and what is imagined.

I Am Margaret Moore fits within the paranormal thriller genre but with a distinctive twist. Its experimental writing style and non-traditional narrative structure set it apart from typical YA thrillers, making it more of a psychological journey than a straightforward mystery. The book also flirts with gothic elements, using its naval school setting and foggy atmosphere to enhance the eerie, suspenseful tone. However, the unconventional approach may make it a polarising read, appealing more to those who enjoy genre-blending and narrative experimentation.

Positives of I Am Margaret Moore

• Atmospheric Writing: The lyrical and poetic prose creates a haunting, dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors Margaret’s internal turmoil.
• Exploration of Sisterhood: The book delves into the complex dynamics of female friendships, highlighting both their strength and fragility.
• Intriguing Mystery: The central mystery of what happened that fateful night is compelling and keeps the reader guessing.
• Unique Narrative Style: The experimental approach to storytelling sets this book apart, offering a fresh take on the paranormal thriller genre.

Negatives of I Am Margaret Moore

• Disconnected Narrative: The non-linear timeline and repetitive, abstract prose can make the story hard to follow and hinder emotional connection to the characters.
• Unreliable Narrator: Margaret’s perspective is often frustrating, and her obsession with a toxic relationship may be off-putting to some readers.
• Slow Pacing: The plot drags in the middle, with too much focus on trivial details that don’t significantly advance the story.
• Lack of Clarity: The writing style leaves many questions unanswered, making the conclusion feel unsatisfying and muddled.

I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin is a unique and haunting read that blends paranormal elements with a psychological exploration of sisterhood and betrayal. While the book’s poetic and repetitive style might not suit everyone, it offers a distinct voice and an eerie atmosphere that sets it apart from typical YA thrillers.

If you’re drawn to experimental narratives and don’t mind a disjointed journey through a character’s fractured psyche, this novel may resonate with you. However, if you prefer straightforward storytelling with clear resolution, you might find this book challenging.

I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars for its ambitious approach and evocative prose, with the caveat that it’s not a story for every reader. If you’re in the mood for a ghostly tale that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural, give I Am Margaret Moore a try.

I received I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin from the publisher. This is an unbiased and honest review

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