The Weight of the Past
There’s something uniquely devastating about the secrets we keep from our closest friends – those dark, twisting things that live in the spaces between what we show the world and who we really are. In “Before We Were Innocent,” Ella Berman masterfully explores these shadows, weaving a complex narrative about three teenage girls whose sun-drenched summer in Greece ends in unimaginable tragedy. The novel expertly navigates between past and present, examining how a single moment can fracture not just friendships, but entire lives.
Plot Overview: Two Timelines, One Truth
The story follows Bess Winter, who along with her best friend Joni Bonnier, was cleared of involvement in their friend Evangeline’s death during a fateful summer in Greece ten years ago. While Joni transformed her notoriety into a successful career as a motivational speaker, Bess retreated into a carefully controlled existence in the California desert. When Joni’s fiancée Willa goes missing, echoing events from their past, Bess is pulled back into a world she thought she’d left behind forever.
Character Analysis: Complex Women, Complicated Truths
Bess Winter
Berman crafts Bess as a deeply flawed yet sympathetic protagonist whose self-imposed exile speaks volumes about trauma and guilt. Her voice carries the narrative with raw honesty and carefully measured restraint, making her eventual unraveling all the more impactful.
Joni Bonnier
Perhaps the most complex character in the novel, Joni embodies both strength and manipulation. Her transformation from teenage rebel to polished lifestyle guru is fascinating, though sometimes her motivations remain frustratingly opaque.
Evangeline Aetos
Though deceased, Evangeline’s presence haunts every page. Berman skillfully avoids the trope of the “perfect victim,” instead painting a nuanced portrait of a privileged young woman with her own flaws and desires.
Writing Style: Atmospheric and Intense
Berman’s prose is both elegant and sharp, with a particular talent for capturing the sultry atmosphere of a Greek summer and the claustrophobic nature of intense teenage friendships. The dual timeline structure is handled deftly, though occasionally the transitions between past and present could be smoother.
Themes and Motifs
The Nature of Truth
The novel expertly explores how truth can be both absolute and relative, especially when filtered through memory and trauma.
Power Dynamics in Female Friendships
Berman’s portrayal of the complicated power dynamics between young women is particularly noteworthy, showing how love and control can become dangerously intertwined.
The Media’s Role in Trauma
The book’s examination of how media coverage can shape and distort reality is particularly relevant in our current age of instant news and social media judgment.
Strengths
- Sophisticated character development
- Atmospheric writing that brings both timelines vividly to life
- Nuanced exploration of female friendship
- Compelling mystery that keeps readers guessing
- Strong emotional resonance
Areas for Improvement
- Some secondary characters could be more fully developed
- The pacing occasionally slows in the middle sections
- Certain plot threads feel slightly underdeveloped
- The resolution might feel too neat for some readers
Comparison to Similar Works
Fans of Megan Abbott’s “Dare Me” or Tana French’s “The Secret Place” will find similar themes of female friendship and hidden truths here. Like her debut novel “The Comeback,” Berman shows a keen understanding of how trauma shapes identity and the complicated nature of redemption.
Impact and Relevance
In an era where true crime podcasts dominate and social media can turn private tragedy into public spectacle, “Before We Were Innocent” feels particularly timely. Berman’s examination of how young women are often judged more harshly than their male counterparts resonates strongly with current discussions about gender and justice.
Final Verdict
“Before We Were Innocent” is a compelling and sophisticated thriller that transcends genre conventions to deliver something more nuanced—a meditation on friendship, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. While not perfect, its strengths far outweigh its minor flaws, making it a worthy follow-up to Berman’s debut.
For Readers Who Enjoy
- Complex female protagonists
- Dual timeline narratives
- Mediterranean settings
- Psychological suspense
- Stories about friendship and betrayal
- Exploration of media influence on crime
Conclusion
“Before We Were Innocent” confirms Ella Berman as a significant voice in contemporary fiction. Her ability to blend compelling mystery with profound character study creates a reading experience that lingers long after the final page. While the novel occasionally struggles with pacing and some plot elements could be more fully developed, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a sophisticated and emotionally resonant work.
The book’s greatest achievement lies in its refusal to provide easy answers or clear villains, instead presenting a nuanced exploration of how the choices we make in youth can echo through our entire lives. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most dangerous lies are the ones we tell ourselves.