Book Review – An Absolute Deception

by Lesley Lokko (Orion) ISBN: 978 1409 101758 R199.00

Anneliese Zander de St Phalle is a famous fashion designer—having created an international brand with just her talent, determination and beauty. While holidaying on her sumptuous island hideaway, an uninvited guest turns up, unlocking the Pandora’s Box of her past. It is a past she’s hidden from the world, the press—even her daughter, Callan.

From here, the novel flashes back and forth through time as we learn of Anneliese’s complex past and follow her journey as she claws her way to the top. These flashbacks break the narrative up in a fractured and confusing manner, making it hard to get into the story.

With her previous novels such as Sundowners and Rich Girl, Poor Girl, Lesley Lokko proved herself as a solid writer of glamorous blockbusters in the Barbara Taylor Bradford and Penny Vincenzi mould.  However, An Absolute Deception was a bit disappointing and left too many loose ends untied. It should’ve been better.

Anthony Ehlers

2/5