Overall Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐.75
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Synopsis:
Paper Cut by Rachel Taff follows Lucy, a well-known true crime figure whose fame stems from a novel she wrote as a teenager documenting her time in, and escape from, a cult. For years, she has lived off the success of the book, which portrays her as a hero after she killed the cult leader during her escape. But as the years pass, Lucy begins to wonder whether the secrets she has worked so hard to bury will finally come to light.
Review:
Having picked this book up on a whim, I went into it with absolutely no preconceived notions. One of Rachel Taff’s greatest strengths is her ability to create characters who feel completely real. They are deeply flawed, self-centered, and driven by their own ambitions, making them feel more authentic than likable.
As Lucy’s story unfolded, I found myself feeling increasingly sorry for her. She is very much a product of her upbringing, carrying the weight of her past while struggling to separate her self-worth from her professional success. Compounding this are the constant backhanded remarks from her mother, which only reinforce the insecurities Lucy is trying to overcome.
The novel also offers an interesting look at cult indoctrination and the lingering effects it can have long after someone escapes. While I appreciated these elements, I struggled with the writing early on. At times, it felt as though Taff was trying too hard to sound literary, which pulled me out of the story. However, the further I read, the stronger the writing became. Whether intentional or not, it almost felt as if the prose evolved alongside Lucy herself as she gradually opened up and confronted the secrets of her past.
I hope you enjoyed this review! Stay tuned for my next one! – Jules Grant, Associate Editor & Literary Critic