This was an odd little book. I enjoyed reading it - I thought the narrative style was quite interesting in how detached the protagonist felt from the story. I also thought there were some really interesting political perspectives raised - I enjoyed the conflict that arose between Helen who seemed to be sort of a vaguely left-leaning centrist, and Hew who was obviously much more hard left. I particularly liked their exchange where he was chastising her for not being more politically engaged, and she tells him that she does agree with him but simply doesn't feel the need to grandstand and signpost her ideals for the sake of societal approval.

Unfortunately, the ending of the book fell a bit flat for me. After a book that seemed to navigate some murky and morally grey areas, it felt like it took a very reductive turn with one character taking a particular action that turns them into some sort of comic book superhero with all of society applauding them and being fully on their side forever more.

Overall, it was an interesting book - and one that was short and light enough that I got through it very quickly - but I came out the other end not necessarily being entirely sure what the message or stance of the book itself was. Maybe that cancel culture doesn't work; that we can try and exile people, but by doing that they'll still just continue their behaviours, and instead we need to learn to integrate? Maybe that's me extrapolating a little too much.