The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
“My argument with so much of psychoanalysis is the preconception that suffering is a mistake, or a sign of weakness, or a sign even of illness. When in fact, possibly the greatest truths we know have come out of people’s suffering. —ARTHUR MILLER”
I started reading Alex Michaelides' The Maidens in the middle of the night and promptly finished it as soon as I woke up. It was that addictive. My go-to way of describing this masterpiece is by calling it a love story between Greek mythology and The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (a cult-favourite).
Set at picturesque Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, The Maidens tells the story of Mariana Andros, a London-based group therapist, who returns to her alma mater upon her niece Zoe's request as Zoe's friend has just been brutally murdered. In the quest to search for the murderer, Mariana meets Edward Fosca, the charismatic American professor of Greek Tragedy at Cambridge, who is adored by all but especially by his secret society of female students– the Maidens. As the story progresses, Marina is convinced that Fosca is the murderer and his Maidens will do anything to protect their beloved professor.
The only problem is that she has no proof.
Filled with twists and turns that left me hungry for more, The Maidens shows the power of grief and showcases Mariana's obsession with Fosca spiral out of control leading to dangerous repercussions.
If it isn't clear already, I loved this book. I have a huge soft spot for mystery novels and Greek mythology, so the combination of the two in The Maidens was delightful. Additionally, the book explores themes of grief and what it means to love or be loved. As a budding psychology major, I really liked these aspects of the novel and Mariana's occupation as a group therapist also give her a really unique insight when she plays 'detective' and strives to solve the murder(s).
I would recommend this book to anyone who's craving a little bit of mystery and intrigue in their life but also have a soft spot for layers of academia.
