My Book Review > 'Quicksand', by Malin Persson Giolito

‘Quicksand’ kept me on the edge of my seat! It tells the story of Maria (Maja) Norberg, an eighteen years old girl who is on trial for her involvement in a mass shooting at her high school. Eesh! A quite unusual (but poignant) story!

Maja is charged with the murder of two students: her BFF, Amanda, and Sebastian, her boyfriend (who just shot all other students present in the classroom, and their teacher). She’s even suspected of masterminding this deadly attacks! Everything seems to prove her guilt. She is portrayed as a hateful young person who committed a heinous crime!! Yet, surprisingly, I couldn’t help but feel close to Maja.

Actually, she’s just a fragile and defenceless teenager; but the media and the society found her guilty before she was brought to trial. And this is precisely what makes this story so fascinating: held in pre-trial detention, Maja is like a trapped animal. Lost, confused, terrified by what is happening to her. Everything seems to be going against her. Is she a criminal… or a victim?

She tells the reader her story, but she’s no longer sure whether she’s innocent of any crime or not. She is completely distraught; because she did indeed kill Amanda and Sebastian. She knows that! It’s a fact! And she just can’t forget it. But, she didn’t want to kill Amanda! She only wanted to shoot her boyfriend… to save her life.

Yes, ‘Quicksand’ is a FA BU LOUS, engrossing, heartbreaking story. I give it a five star!