Hannah Begbie’s latest novel, Blurred Lines, due out in August, couldn’t be more timely. A story for the #metoo era, Begbie’s novel explores the film world’s hierarchies through the lens of Becky, a super smart, vulnerable woman who balances being a single mum with assisting Matthew Kingsman, one of the industry’s most successful producers.
The novel opens as Becky arrives at a party thrown by Matthew at his family home in Notting Hill, a party where “the rich looked rich, and the nonconformists wore their asymmetric fringes with confidence.” Matthew encourages Becky to ‘come and meet some people,’ people who are drinking the very watermelon martinis it was Becky’s job to order.
Later, when Matthew invites Becky into his study and suggests she hold one of his Academy awards to feel its weight, the power imbalance is palpable. Buoyed by several glasses of champagne, Becky tells Matthew she has an idea for a screenplay: a revenge story inspired by Medea - a story we only latterly find out has particular resonance for Becky.
That same first chapter contains a second, devastating scene, also at Matthew’s house but a year later. It’s a shocking scene which upends Becky’s fragile hold on life and makes her question everything. So begin the blurred lines of the title.
A compelling story of power, trust and revenge, searingly astute and stylishly written, Begbie’s second book confirms her arrival as one-to-watch. Pre-order your copy now.