The Four

Our reading group was lucky enough to win copies of this book in exchange for a review. Here are the member reviews: *potential spoilers ahead*

B: The subject was dark, well-written and compelling. It was clever that the characters were a reflection of several groups from society and how they would develop from young people into adults with the same behavioural patterns.
I enjoyed reading the book as it was thought-provoking about the psychology under the surface of each character and situation they were in.
I thought the characters were well described and believable, they were complex, and it was clear that The Four had similar purpose which drew them together.
I thought the themes covered the struggles young people go through psychologically: the dark, cruel bullying and domineering of one group to another, and the surprises. It was increasingly exploring the psychological damage caused by isolation, most importantly to a young person, and there were several subjects of behavioural development explored as well.
I would read another book by this author, but perhaps not on a similar subject.

S: I found I read this book quite quickly despite the shocking and disturbing content. It wasn’t until the end that I began to feel empathy with any of the characters. It wouldn’t have been my choice of reading material.
A boarding school is one of those places that remain a mystery to most of us and an environment that is far from ‘normal’ life. Reading the acknowledgements at the end I learnt that much of the novel had been written in lockdown, certainly a period of time that was harrowing and very far removed from normal. I wonder if that played a part in the story line?
Ellie has covered huge issues for young people today. How difficult it is to be different, pressure to succeed, mental health issues, trust and betrayal, and abuse. Friendship and love were there as well which was heartening. Characters who weren’t lost along the way became adults with a lot to offer to individuals and society.

MP: The story is about four academically gifted pupils – unfortunately they were deemed to be ‘free-loaders’ because they did not pay for their education. They were not socially accepted by the staff despite the fact that they ‘gifted’ the academic achievements of the school and in the educational system were saying that they were helping the ‘poorer’ members of the society achieve results far higher than their social status allowed.
This attitude made me feel both sad and frustrated. ‘The four’ would have brought new ideas into the dusty vacuum of ‘High Realms’, new ways of adjusting the school’s society, perhaps a sympathetic attitude to how lesser beings managed to survive and thrive within their own level of society.
I found it disappointing that few teachers tried to help these pupils through the angst of adolescence – it was quite obvious that ‘the four’ were being excluded from some school activities, so much so that they were punished for not being included and given extra work to do – possibly to the detriment of their academic results. Their housemaster Major Gregory certainly had no time for ‘the four’ – not listening to them, cutting them off and generally making small of them, particularly Marta De Luca. This attitude was picked up by the prefects who were quite brutal in their attitude toward ‘the four’.
I found it worrying that Dr Reza did very little to support Marta despite the fact that she was aware that Marta had mental health problems. Dr Reza knew that Marta was physically harming herself. She had a friend who worked in a clinic helping patients like Marta so she could have asked the friend for some advice, but she did very little until it was too late to support/help Marta.
I found the idea of having to be ‘in control’ quite disturbing – control being a euphemism for bullying and making you good about yourself. The use of sexual intercourse being used too, especially the abuse use of sex to subjugate and embarrass people about their sexuality. Rape is not about sex, it is about gaining power over someone, proving that the perpetrator is stronger and more powerful than the victim.
I enjoyed the story even though some of the characters were unpleasant, arrogant and totally useless at their job – Major Gregory being one.
I would have hated working at the school. Afterall, a good school is a place which is caring, where children and staff are valued, where there are high expectations and lots of encouragement for both staff and children. It should be cheerful and welcoming, where there is respect and tolerance of others, where there is laughter and enjoyment, where the curriculum is tailored for individual needs and children are not deprived of pleaser, playfulness and creativity. Unfortunately, High Realms did not provide those qualities, except for the Holy Grail of academic superiority.