I forgot that I hadn’t posted my review of The Group on here so I’m doing it now before I forget again! This is a translated work of fiction and billed as a sort of updated version of The Talented Mr Ripley or for fans of The Secret History which of course intrigued me as the latter is one of my favourite books. It’s good but it wasn’t outstanding in that respect. I don’t think I fell in love enough with the characters for that to be the case but I’d certainly like to know what others thought of it. Thanks @netgalley and @ithakapress for the proof copy

I wanted to love this more than I did. There were parts that enticed me enough to finish the book but aside from that, it fell a bit flat for me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

An intriguing novel about obsession set in Madrid. Hanna has come to the city from her native Sweden to work as an intern at the Prado, where she is tasked with cataloguing items in the archives. One day whilst exploring Madrid she notices a close-knit group of three friends – Tom, Samuel and Leah – and is immediately attracted to them. She begins to stalk them and eventually manages to infiltrate their circle. It is soon apparent that they are fabulously wealthy and Hanna simply can’t compete, but so determined is she to remain their friend that she will go to any lengths to be accepted. As the novel progresses it is clear to the reader, if not to Hanna, that they don’t really accept her, but so desperate is she that she gets carried along with their plans. It will, of course, end in tears. Overall I found it a compelling fast-paced narrative which held my interest, although after a while it became somewhat repetitive and also, quite frankly, bizarre. Many of the incidents stretched my credulity and seemed to be filler rather than an integral part of the plot. For me the basic enigma was why Hanna allowed herself to become so obsessed. She’s obviously mentally unbalanced but this is never fully explored although some of her back story is filled in. Nor could I understand why she felt the need to be accepted by this obnoxious trio of unpleasant characters. Her other obsession, the paintings of Goya, isn’t integrated fully into the story arc, and seemed extraneous to the plot – unless it’s to give her a credible back story as an art historian. However, much of this came to me after I’d finished the book, as while I was actually reading it I was pretty much invested in the whole sorry escapade. An unsettling and disturbing read but not a wholly successful one.

The Group by Sigge Eklund is an intriguing and unsettling exploration of human relationships in the digital age. The story revolves around a close-knit group of friends connected through an online forum, but as their lives intertwine both virtually and in real life, the darker sides of their personalities and secrets begin to surface.

Eklund’s writing is sharp and insightful, delving deep into the psychology of each character, making their actions feel both relatable and disturbing at the same time. What’s compelling about this book is how it captures the complexity of modern communication—how technology simultaneously brings people together and drives them apart. The characters are flawed and vulnerable, but also fascinating in their motivations, which makes you want to keep reading to see what happens next.

The pacing of the novel is steady, and Eklund masterfully builds tension as the group dynamics begin to unravel. Each chapter peels back another layer of the characters, revealing hidden fears and desires that challenge their friendships and sense of identity. This slow-burn approach works well, gradually drawing the reader into the emotional heart of the story.

Without giving away any spoilers, The Group takes a close look at the consequences of living in a world where online personas often conflict with reality. It’s a thought-provoking novel that raises questions about trust, loyalty, and the impact of our increasingly digital lives.

If you enjoy character-driven novels that tackle contemporary issues with a dark edge, The Group is worth reading. Eklund’s writing will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished.

This was a very interesting story set mostly in Madrid and tells of how a struggling intern at the Museo del Prado managed to gain acceptance to a group of well-to-do socialites and how she managed to maintain her standing in the group of not-quite-friends.
I enjoyed the glamorous setting and getting to know the characters as the story unfolded, while feeling that something had to upset their harmonious existence.

I will look out for more by this author.

How often does someone hide them trueselves from people they would like to be?but how many times do we say you only see what people want you to see?

In the Group, We meet Hanna and see the storyline through her eyes.. her thoughts... her feelings... deception and the obsession.. this was such a gripping read, where we are brought into the Spanish world - now this book has been translated into English, but you do not lose anything, the descriptions and the atmosphere pull you in wanting to know more about "The Group" and what secrets they are hiding.

You know an author has done a good job when you really dislike characters in a book of this genre, and Sigge Eklund has done just that!

I really did enjoy this, as much as I did get a bit uncomfortable at times, but I do hope to read more in the future

This was an interesting concept for a story. I enjoyed being in Hanna's perspective and living and seeing through her eyes as she meets 'The Group'. It has a very strong underlying theme of miscommunication and mis-conception about who we are and what we show the world about ourselves. We watch as the group becomes close and then implodes to the point of fracture. These were very interesting characters and I loved watching them come alive on the page. This was a very interesting setting choice however it was definitely the right one for these characters to exist in.

Really liked the idea of this but found the writing a bit hare-bones and plain. Would still recommend to those who enjoy this kind of spare style.

I found the book flat and a bit overstuffed with lengthy descriptions that did little to move the plot forward. The concept of the novel was interesting and Hanna's obsession was well portrayed but a lack of depth in the characters meant that this failed to keep me engaged.

An intriguing story about identify and fraud, hedonism and class with dark academia vibes and lush prose. The darker side of friendship which will appeal to fans of Saltburn.

Hanna, a young Swedish woman with a mysterious past, is working as an intern at the Prado gallery in Madrid.
She becomes infatuated with Samuel and his friends Tom and Leah, a glamorous, wealthy group of Swedes, and will do anything to become part of the group and start a relationship with Samuel.
All of the characters are lying about their position and accomplishments, none of them are particularly pleasant. Despite this, the writing draws you in, as Hanna tries so hard to fit in.
I found the beginning a bit slow, but after halfway, the pace and suspense picks up. There are lots of revelations towards the end of the book, and an interesting ending which leaves you guessing.
Good.

A stunningly written ( and translated) story about greed, fraud, hedonism and identity. Hanna is a lonely intern from Sweden, working in a dingy archive in the prestigious Prado gallery in Spain. She admires from afar three beautiful young people in designer clothes, and discovering them to be fellow Swedes, worms her way into their group. They are rich and Hanna isn’t. Her desperate need to fit in, and ultimately start a relationship with Samuel, has her contemplating fraud. She isn't the only one hiding the truth however.
The story hooks you in with its languid prose. There's jaw dropping luxury and sensuality as the friends tour the Riviera in a Bentley. There’s always a feeling that Hanna is going to be exposed at any moment. You wonder what she brings to the group. The ending I found intriguingly ambiguous. Compelling.

Young Swedish woman Hanna finds her internship at the prestigious Prada gallery in Spain isn't the adventure she was expecting,isolated in a basement at work and just as isolated in her small flat she's lonely and bored. Then she sees a trio of fellow Swedes exuding glamour and elegance and determines to break into their circle. Hanna begins a deception that leads her into crime and pretence as she tries to keep up with her wealthy new friends and their hedonistic lifestyle afraid of being exposed as an imposter.
This is an involving story as it becomes obvious that Hanna is not the only one of the group living a lie. None of the main characters are very pleasant people , which does often make a book hard to like as well but "The Group" works becuase of this ,rather than despite it.