The Rip by Holly Craig delves into the intricate dynamics of female relationships, envy, and the haunting allure of other people’s lives.
Set against the remote backdrop of Rottnest Island, the story follows two women of seemingly disparate sensibilities whose lives intersect in the wake of a child’s disappearance. As the investigation unfolds, the eerie presence of unspoken envy and obsession with one another’s lives simmers beneath the surface, threatening to unravel the fragile bonds between friends and partners.
Central to the narrative are the complex dynamics of female relationships, portrayed with a nuanced understanding that delves beneath the surface of envy and obsession. Craig deftly examines the ways in which these feelings can shape and distort relationships, revealing the fragility of bonds that are built on a foundation of longing and desire. Craig shines a spotlight on the multifaceted nature of women’s connections with one another.
Water acts as a recurring motif in Craig’s works. In The Rip, water is a pivotal element, casting an eerie aura of mystery and the unknown. Symbolizing the enigmatic depths of human nature and the fluidity of truth, water imbues the narrative with a sense of foreboding and mystery. Its presence serves as a constant reminder of the characters’ vulnerability, their secrets threatening to surface like ripples on the surface of a restless sea. Will these women sink or swim?
The Rip weaves a tale of suspense and psychological depth, immersing readers in the murky waters of buried secrets and haunting pasts long concealed beneath a facade of suburban tranquillity.
Reviewed by Jess Checkland