Comment j'ai tué ma famille
by Bella Mackie
7.02 / 10 197K ratings
- Language
- French
- Published
- 2022
- Publisher
- ED DU MASQUE
- Pages
- 384
- ISBN
- 9782702449974
Grace Bernard, a young woman living in London, discovers that her absentee billionaire father abandoned her and her mother, leaving them in financial hardship. After her mother's death, Grace devises a plan for retribution against her father and his entire immediate family. She meticulously orchestrates the demise of each family member, one by one.
However, before she can complete her scheme, Grace finds herself imprisoned for a murder she insists she did not commit. From her cell, she recounts her story, detailing her calculated acts of revenge with a darkly humorous and satirical tone. This narrative explores themes of class privilege, the complexities of family, and the often-unforeseen consequences of seeking justice on one's own terms.
However, before she can complete her scheme, Grace finds herself imprisoned for a murder she insists she did not commit. From her cell, she recounts her story, detailing her calculated acts of revenge with a darkly humorous and satirical tone. This narrative explores themes of class privilege, the complexities of family, and the often-unforeseen consequences of seeking justice on one's own terms.
Original edition
How to Kill Your FamilyOriginally published in 2021 English HarperCollins Publishers
Other editions (50)
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
You find me here, in Limehouse Prison, a place I've called home for far too long, convicted of a murder I didn't commit. Oh, the irony. Because, you see, I am a killer, a rather accomplished one at that, having dispatched six members of my estranged, impossibly wealthy family. But this particular charge? Utterly baseless. As I sit here, trying to avoid the incessant chatter of my cellmate, Kelly, I find myself compelled to write it all down, a meticulous account of my life's true work, a confession for a future audience, perhaps.
My story, if you truly wish to hear it, begins with a father, Simon Artemis, a billionaire who excelled at moral indifference. He abandoned my mother and me, leaving us to navigate a life of destitution while he paraded his opulence. When my mother, a woman who deserved so much more, died penniless and humiliated, a singular, crystalline purpose formed within me: revenge. Not for pleasure, mind you, but for a twisted, deeply personal sense of justice. I vowed to strip him of everything he held dear, starting with those who carried his name and shared his tainted blood.
My early targets were, naturally, the most accessible. I started with the grandparents, a trip to Marbella serving as the rather chic backdrop for their meticulously planned demise. Each killing was an art form, a carefully orchestrated ballet of cunning and precision, never gratuitous, but always effective. I studied them, learned their habits, their vulnerabilities, and then, with a cool, articulate logic, I executed my plans. There was a certain satisfaction in watching the dominoes fall, each death a quiet nod to my mother's forgotten dignity.
The family, a veritable rogues' gallery of self-absorbed aristocrats and influencer cousins obsessed with curated perfection, provided ample material for my particular brand of social critique. Through their superficial lives, their hollow pronouncements, and their utterly misplaced sense of superiority, I saw not just targets, but symbols of a world I despised. My narration, I've been told, has a certain sardonic wit, a crisp, conversational tone that balances the darkness of my deeds with a humor so sharp it could cut glass.
But even the most meticulously planned revenge can encounter unexpected detours. Just as I was nearing my ultimate goal – my father, the grand architect of my misery – I found myself behind bars. The irony, as I mentioned, is exquisite. To be imprisoned for a murder I didn't commit, while the true masterpieces of my vengeance remain utterly undiscovered, is almost comical. It was Caroline Morton, my friend Jimmy's fiancée, who met an unfortunate end, a drunken tumble from a balcony with me as the sole witness. And just like that, the world, in its infinite lack of perception, blamed me.
So here I am, chronicling my true crimes, a narrative unfolding chronologically, from my impoverished upbringing to the meticulously executed murders that define my adult life. Each chapter a testament to my unwavering purpose, a quiet rebellion against a world that values appearance above all else. My downfall, it seems, isn't the crimes I committed, but the conviction that truth matters in a world where it so often doesn't.
My story, if you truly wish to hear it, begins with a father, Simon Artemis, a billionaire who excelled at moral indifference. He abandoned my mother and me, leaving us to navigate a life of destitution while he paraded his opulence. When my mother, a woman who deserved so much more, died penniless and humiliated, a singular, crystalline purpose formed within me: revenge. Not for pleasure, mind you, but for a twisted, deeply personal sense of justice. I vowed to strip him of everything he held dear, starting with those who carried his name and shared his tainted blood.
My early targets were, naturally, the most accessible. I started with the grandparents, a trip to Marbella serving as the rather chic backdrop for their meticulously planned demise. Each killing was an art form, a carefully orchestrated ballet of cunning and precision, never gratuitous, but always effective. I studied them, learned their habits, their vulnerabilities, and then, with a cool, articulate logic, I executed my plans. There was a certain satisfaction in watching the dominoes fall, each death a quiet nod to my mother's forgotten dignity.
The family, a veritable rogues' gallery of self-absorbed aristocrats and influencer cousins obsessed with curated perfection, provided ample material for my particular brand of social critique. Through their superficial lives, their hollow pronouncements, and their utterly misplaced sense of superiority, I saw not just targets, but symbols of a world I despised. My narration, I've been told, has a certain sardonic wit, a crisp, conversational tone that balances the darkness of my deeds with a humor so sharp it could cut glass.
But even the most meticulously planned revenge can encounter unexpected detours. Just as I was nearing my ultimate goal – my father, the grand architect of my misery – I found myself behind bars. The irony, as I mentioned, is exquisite. To be imprisoned for a murder I didn't commit, while the true masterpieces of my vengeance remain utterly undiscovered, is almost comical. It was Caroline Morton, my friend Jimmy's fiancée, who met an unfortunate end, a drunken tumble from a balcony with me as the sole witness. And just like that, the world, in its infinite lack of perception, blamed me.
So here I am, chronicling my true crimes, a narrative unfolding chronologically, from my impoverished upbringing to the meticulously executed murders that define my adult life. Each chapter a testament to my unwavering purpose, a quiet rebellion against a world that values appearance above all else. My downfall, it seems, isn't the crimes I committed, but the conviction that truth matters in a world where it so often doesn't.
What other readers say
Liked
Many readers were initially drawn in by the book's intriguing premise, which promised a unique and darkly humorous take on revenge. For those who enjoyed its particular brand of wit and sarcasm, the narrative proved to be a highly entertaining and engaging read. The protagonist, often described as a morally grey anti-heroine, resonated with some who appreciated her calculated approach and sharp observations, finding her an amusing and compelling character to follow. The writing style, frequently peppered with snarky comments, elicited laughter and made for a distinctive reading experience for its fans.
Disliked
However, a significant number of reviewers found the book to be excessively long-winded and meandering, with the plot frequently sidetracked by unnecessary details and the protagonist's extensive personal ramblings. Critics often felt the narrative lost its initial focus on the core revenge plot, instead veering into irrelevant social observations and attempts at humor that many found forced, dated, or even offensive. The protagonist herself was frequently described as unlikeable, shallow, and inconsistently characterized, failing to live up to the promise of a truly compelling anti-hero. Issues with the book's handling of themes like class and feminism were also noted, with some finding the commentary trite or hypocritical. Furthermore, the pacing was often criticized as slow, and the overall execution of the story, including its ending, left many feeling disappointed and underwhelmed.
In short
Ultimately, this book generated a highly polarized reception, with readers either thoroughly enjoying its dark comedic elements or finding it a frustrating and disappointing read. It is likely to appeal most to those who appreciate very dark, snarky humor and anti-hero narratives, provided they are prepared for a protagonist with a challenging personality and a narrative style that frequently diverges from a straightforward plot. Readers who prefer a tightly plotted story, a sympathetic main character, or a more conventional approach to social commentary may find it less to their taste.
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