In 'Beautiful Animals' by Lawrence Osborne, a chilling tale unfolds on a sun-soaked Greek island where privilege meets peril. The story follows two young women who become entangled with a mysterious stranger, leading them into a world of deceit and danger. As their idyllic summer rapidly descends into chaos, questions of morality and desire emerge. Each decision propels them deeper into a dark abyss, challenging their understanding of beauty and innocence. What lies beneath the surface of paradise, and what secrets will they unearth?
By Lawrence Osborne
Published: 2018
"In a world of beauty and darkness, the lines we draw often betray us, revealing the true nature of our desires."
"Let’s not mince words. This is a great book. Truly difficult to put down... sophisticated, smart and uncomfortable, and the story is cracking." – Lionel Shriver, Washington Post "Startlingly good...Osborne has been described as an heir to Graham Greene, and he shares with Greene an interest in what might be called the moral thriller.” – Katie Kitamura, New York Times Book Review "A seductively menacing new thriller by Lawrence Osborne...who unites Graham Greene’s fondness for foreign soil with Patricia Highsmith’s fascination with the nastier coils of the human psyche.” –NPR’s “Fresh Air" FINANCIAL TIMES SUMMER PICK 2017 GUARDIAN BEST HOLIDAY READS 2017 On a hike during a white-hot summer break on the Greek island of Hydra, Naomi and Samantha make a startling discovery: a man named Faoud, sleeping heavily, exposed to the elements, but still alive. Naomi, the daughter of a wealthy British art collector who has owned a villa in the exclusive hills for decades, convinces Sam, a younger American girl on vacation with her family, to help this stranger. As the two women learn more about the man, a migrant from Syria and a casualty of the crisis raging across the Aegean Sea, their own burgeoning friendship intensifies. But when their seemingly simple plan to help Faoud unravels all must face the horrific consequences they have set in motion. In this brilliant psychological study of manipulation and greed, Lawrence Osborne explores the dark heart of friendship, and shows just how often the road to hell is paved with the best of intentions.
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“In a world of beauty and darkness, the lines we draw often betray us, revealing the true nature of our desires.”
Beautiful Animals
By Lawrence Osborne
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Lawrence Osborne is an acclaimed British author known for his atmospheric and psychologically rich novels. His notable works include 'The Ballad of a Small Player', 'Beautiful Animals', and 'The Glass Kingdom', which explore themes of desire, moral ambiguity, and the complexities of human relationships. Osborne's writing style is characterized by lush prose and deeply immersive settings, often reflecting his fascination with the cultures and landscapes of his narratives. With a background in journalism, he brings an acute observational quality to his storytelling, making his works both thought-provoking and engaging.
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