Book Review: Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake
There are books that tease the intellect, inviting us into their worlds with ease, and then there are rare gems like Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake that feel more like a riveting mental workout. From the moment I started reading, I was both captivated and challenged—this was a book that asked me to engage on every level. It left me feeling like I had entered an intricate web of privilege, ambition, and supernatural complexities, layered in a way that made me want to dissect every thread.
At the heart of Gifted & Talented are the Wren siblings: Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh. Each character is not just a participant in their own dramatic arcs; they are forces of nature, weighed down by their privileges and the impossible expectations thrust upon them. Meredith, the calculating CEO, navigates the murky waters of corporate ethics with a ruthlessness that had me both admiring and repulsing her. She’s the type of character that screams for someone like Cate Blanchett to embody her turmoil—a blend of intelligence and devastating vulnerability that keeps you glued to the page.
Arthur, the golden boy turned tragic political figure, wrestles with his supernatural abilities while feeling hopelessly lost in a world that seems unchangeable. His character drew me in profoundly; it’s a poignant commentary on what happens when idealism smashes against an immovable system. And then there’s Eilidh, trapped between a former life as a ballerina and unsettling new realities. Her internal struggle had an eldritch quality that lingered in my mind long after I turned the last page.
Blake’s writing is electric, reminiscent of a fast-paced screenplay—think Aaron Sorkin meets Sally Rooney—littered with snappy dialogue that demands your full attention. The intricate prose is both compelling and, at times, exhausting, rich with internal monologues and biting humor. I found myself re-reading passages just to soak in the nuances, sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the dense, layered text that teetered between sophisticated and suffocating. It’s a book you don’t just read; you wrestle with it, absorbing the layers of meaning intricately woven into the characters’ exchanges.
I can already imagine this becoming a cinematic sensation—if a director is willing to capture its complexity. Picture quick cuts juxtaposing boardroom confrontations with supernatural events, yet I also recognize the fear that much of its magic exists in the prose itself. Those internal dialogues crackle with wit and poignancy, a theatrical backdrop that might be tough to convey on screen.
This book is undeniably challenging; its pacing leans towards a slow burn, gradually intensifying as the characters approach their respective downfalls. Yet, for those willing to engage, the rewards are rich. I can’t help but think this book will be polarizing—some will find delight in its complexity, while others may feel lost in its intellectualism. But for those who dare to lean into it, it offers a rare, immersive experience—one that gets under your skin and stays there.
Would I recommend Gifted & Talented? Without reservation, but with a caveat: don’t expect an easy read. Instead, brace yourself for a thought-provoking journey that invites you to ponder power, privilege, and the dark corners of ambition. If you relish intellectual challenge and enjoy dissecting characters that are both deeply flawed and immensely compelling, this is a book you’ll want to dive into. So, here’s to the Wren siblings—may their stories provoke, astonish, and linger long after the last page is turned.