The Boy Behind the Glass Screen by Ian Siragher - REVIEW

Two boys are raised in the same house, yet their experiences couldn't be more different. For one, the space is a home; for the other, it's a laboratory. Separated only by a glass screen, one is observed while the other is studied. This is all they have ever known—until their caretaker is found murdered.

This sets off a chain of events that forces the police and press to piece together what the two boys already know. They wonder if they can fulfil justice or if the system is even ready to take on a case like this. Will they ever be?

And this is all I am willing to say about the story of Ian Siragher’s The Boy Behind the Glass Screen, as any more information could potentially taint the first read. This book works best and has the greatest impact if the reader goes into it completely blind.

Siragher has created a compelling story, using multiple perspectives and a nonlinear narrative. Not only do characters guide readers through events, but the inclusion of news articles and excerpts from an in-universe book written by Deshane Edwards adds a sense of realism and involvement. Deshane Edwards, one of the POV characters, is a reporter who, alongside Maria Townsend, tries to shed light on what has been happening over 15 years in Dr. Glass’s home and the two boys who lived there.

This creates an interesting puzzle that sucks you in as a reader and makes you feel a part of the investigation, selectively feeding you information that may seem irrelevant at the time but pieces together a mind-boggling realisation later in the story. It creates an enticing, bittersweet puzzle for readers to unpack as they go along. It also slowly introduces some of the heavier themes, such as the idea of humanity, abuse, and even where we as a species are heading. Siragher himself says he enjoys exploring themes that engage readers, and in The Boy Behind the Glass Screen I think victimhood is one of the biggest themes. With that, the concept that there is no such thing as a perfect victim is explored—something society just can’t seem to comprehend or navigate in terms of justice for individuals who themselves have committed crimes, as seen through the trial in the book. Everyone in the Glass house is a victim to someone in the end, and it’s uncertain if the justice system is capable of handling that sort of complexity.

At the heart of this discussion and the novel are Oliver and Aiden and their evolving relationship. The reader witnesses their bond grow from their first introduction in the laboratory to their final interaction. Their sweet, brotherly relationship is portrayed with such depth that readers can't help but sympathise with the two boys and the traumatic events they endure.

Particularly, Aiden is spotlighted throughout the book as one of its POV characters. The reader is allowed to see from his perspective, which colours the way you look at Oliver. Despite being the same age, Aiden feels a little older than Oliver, a bit more aware, and that feeds into him becoming protective of Oliver. This gives off a feeling of naivety when it comes to the other boy, despite it being established from the beginning that Aiden has never left the cellar in which he grew up. This is dropped in through harmless interactions, such as him mentioning Oliver playing in the garden, which is something he knows by “name only”. This gives you, as the reader, a real feeling for him as a character but also shocks you when Aiden does something manipulative that could get Oliver into trouble with Dr. Glass. It creates a bit of uneasy tension that underlines the rest of the story.

The story could have benefited from more moments if we had been given some chapters from Oliver's perspective. This would have added to his character as well as Aiden's, as we don’t see their relationship from his perspective. Having chapters from his side could have filled in some questions and given the reader another spin on their dynamic.

However, the lack of this doesn’t take away from the overall story, nor does it change the fact that they are the strongest part of the book as a whole. They are well portrayed as two teenage boys and play off each other well.

Harry Priestley, the third POV character, is also very well portrayed and creates added mystery with his initial inclusion. He doesn’t seem to fit into the story at first and seems like an odd distraction, but the more you learn, the more he becomes intertwined with the brothers. Creating his own pocket within the story, he adds another layer between investigation, journalism, and himself, creating a sort of ticking time bomb feeling as you wait to see when and how he impacts the story.

The Boy Behind the Glass Screen is an emotional and compelling read, filled with an engaging mystery. Once again, I strongly encourage you to come into this book as blind as possible. Not knowing what awaits within the pages adds to the enjoyability of the book and story. So, stop googling it and dive in.

Siragher has a great mind for plotting and skilfully lays out questions for the reader to ponder long after finishing the book. His ability to weave intricate details and create suspenseful moments keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This novel is not just a mystery but also a deep exploration of human nature and relationships.

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Author’s website: iansiragher.com 

Follow the author on Instagram: @theboybehindtheglassscreen