books
February 21, 2026
I’ll Be the Monster by Sean Gilbert review
The dark past of a seemingly perfect couple is gradually revealed in this observant debut of obsession and control
TL;DR
- The story opens in Istanbul with a couple whose seemingly perfect facade begins to crack.
- They unexpectedly meet Benny, an old university acquaintance, which triggers memories of their Cambridge days and a charismatic friend, Raph, who died mysteriously.
- Flashbacks detail Raph's manipulative nature, Elle's relationship with him, and Benny's unrequited feelings.
- Raph was found dead from an apparent overdose, with a bottle of wine and a recording of Titus Andronicus nearby.
- The couple experiences escalating tension and discusses violent urges.
- The novel explores themes of obsession, codependence, and the emptiness behind a glamorous lifestyle.
- Despite some flat moments, the book builds suspense around the couple's potential involvement in Raph's death and their own relationship's unraveling.
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