[Book Review] I’m thinking of ending things by Iain Reid

My review of I’m thinking of ending things by Iain Reid will follow the publisher’s blurb :

You will be scared. But you won’t know why…

I’m thinking of ending things. Once this thought arrives, it stays. It’s always there. Always.

Jake and I have a real connection, a rare and intense attachment. What has it been…a month? I’m very attracted to him. Even though he isn’t striking, not really. I’m going to meet his parents for the first time, at the same time as I’m thinking of ending things.

Jake once said, “Sometimes a thought is closer to truth, to reality, than an action. You can say anything, you can do anything, but you can’t fake a thought.”

And here’s what I’m thinking: I don’t want to be here.

I’m thinking of ending things.

Iain Reid explores the depths of the human psyche, questioning consciousness, free will, the value of relationships, fear, and the limitations of solitude. Reminiscent of José Saramago’s early work, Michel Faber’s cult classic Under the Skin, and Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk About Kevin, this tense and atmospheric novel will haunt you long after the last page is turned.

I’m thinking of ending things blew my mind. IT – BLEW – MY – MIND !! I’m not even scared to give anything away while writing this review because I don’t think I can even verbalise what a trip the ending was. On the very last page, Iain Reid begs us to sit down…. And as I finished the last page I thought… wow, what did I just read? I closed the book very slowly and felt like it was the most astonishing journey I never knew I wanted to take. It’s a book that needs to be read a second and maybe a third time to fully wrap your head around what is going on.

It’s not a book I’ll soon forget because it is just so different from the thrillers I’ve been reading lately. It really is in a league of its own. I’m usually capable of putting my finger on what is going to happen and the reasons why, but this one…. Oh, this one ….. I did not see any of it coming, I didn’t see the way the book was stitched together – a total blind side.

I spent a lot of time afterwards on discussion boards and searches, making sure I didn’t miss anything or that I wasn’t completely crazy in my interpretation of the novel. I’m thinking of ending things is tailor made for a book club, there will be ample amount of things to discuss and pick apart.

More Buzz about the novel ? Director Charlie Kaufman is adapting it for Netflix. The novel is such a powerful one and I’m curious to see how Kaufman adjusts it for the masses. I really wonder how he will pull this off.

If you do decide to pick up I’m thinking of ending things, you have to stick with it until the very end. It’s not a long read, a little over 200 pages. During my first read of it, the girlfriend character was getting on my nerves with her wishy-washy almost clueless way of thinking. I was at a point where I could hardly stand her … but there is a bigger picture to discover within the pages of I’m thinking of ending things. Please stick with it, the ending is totally worth it.

I’m thinking of ending things by Iain Reid
Published by Simon & Schuster
224 pages
ISBN 9781501103445
available now

*** A copy of I’m thinking of ending things was provided by the publisher in exchange for my thoughts and review