What do you think?
Rate this book
Sophie
“[Sophie] combines the creepy narrative power of a young William Golding with the disturbingly accurate memory of what it is like to be a child. . . . So good that one can only wonder what [Burt] will do next.”
—The Times (London)
In a dark room of a dilapidated house, as a storm rages outside, Matthew lights a candle and places it in the center of the floor. Its light spreads across the wall and illuminates Sophie, tied up in a chair facing him. She is frightened, fearful of what he might do next. But for now, it seems, all Matthew wants to do is talk. Talk about the events of nearly twenty years ago, about their strange childhood, and about the summer when Sophie grew up and everything changed . . . forever.
Young Mattie and Sophie lived in a world seemingly without constraints. Their cold mother barely paid attention to her children. Their father, a mere shadow in their lives, was never home. So Mattie and Sophie had the run of the gardens and the woods beyond. They played youthful games, but Sophie was extraordinarily intelligent, a fact she took great pains to hide from her teachers, so as not to stand out. Sophie was everything to Mattie, and he worshiped her. He wanted to know her secrets, the things that went on inside her brilliant mind. But Sophie was changing. And the summer before she went away to boarding school, the things she had worked so hard to conceal would come spilling out—and Mattie would have to live with the shocking consequences.
Now he’s all grown up, too, and Matthew wants answers to the questions that still darken his mind—no matter what the cost. . . .
—The Times (London)
In a dark room of a dilapidated house, as a storm rages outside, Matthew lights a candle and places it in the center of the floor. Its light spreads across the wall and illuminates Sophie, tied up in a chair facing him. She is frightened, fearful of what he might do next. But for now, it seems, all Matthew wants to do is talk. Talk about the events of nearly twenty years ago, about their strange childhood, and about the summer when Sophie grew up and everything changed . . . forever.
Young Mattie and Sophie lived in a world seemingly without constraints. Their cold mother barely paid attention to her children. Their father, a mere shadow in their lives, was never home. So Mattie and Sophie had the run of the gardens and the woods beyond. They played youthful games, but Sophie was extraordinarily intelligent, a fact she took great pains to hide from her teachers, so as not to stand out. Sophie was everything to Mattie, and he worshiped her. He wanted to know her secrets, the things that went on inside her brilliant mind. But Sophie was changing. And the summer before she went away to boarding school, the things she had worked so hard to conceal would come spilling out—and Mattie would have to live with the shocking consequences.
Now he’s all grown up, too, and Matthew wants answers to the questions that still darken his mind—no matter what the cost. . . .
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
9 people are currently reading
691 people want to read
About the author
Guy Burt
4 books53 followersGuy Burt (he/him) is a novelist and BAFTA award-winning screenwriter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 1, 2016
This book barely made sense. There wasn't really a story line, it was more like a random account of a couple of years of life for two neglected children. I struggled through this book, wanting so bad for something interesting to happen but nothing did. The ending was equally frustrating as nothing was answered. Overall, this book was a complete waste of money.
December 4, 2013
Siblings Mattie and Sophie Howard have an unusual upbringing characterized by too much free time on their hands and absentee parents. Though their mother is in residence, she may as well not be because she barely acknowledges them and for most the story remains an unhappy and mildly sinister presence. Their father, supposedly traveling the world for work, visits sporadically but never for extended periods.
At the start of the book, Mattie is confronting Sophie on issues he feels were hidden from him as a child and which he feels he now must address as an adult. Sophie, tied up and smarting from a blow to her face, cannot leave and is forced to relive Mattie's recollections of their childhood.
By virtue of the fact that Sophie is bound at the beginning of the story, danger and violence hang over the whole proceedings regardless of how mundane the recollections may seem. As you listen to Mattie discuss what appears to be an idyllic childhood in an English village, you wonder what could have led to the present situation. That Sophie loved her brother is never in question and the lengths she will go to protect him become evident almost immediately. If not for the dysfunctional parents, Mattie and Sophie's lives as children would be considered normal. A beautiful country side, adventures and discoveries, picnics and all the little things that make childhood so beautiful and confusing are relayed with an expert touch. The author is an amazing story teller who transports you into Mattie and Sophie's lives in all its vivid details.
But even as a child, Mattie notices little thing that suggest that there might be more to Sophie than at first thought. For one thing, Sophie is brilliant but hides her intelligence anytime people begin to notice. At thirteen, though she purposefully fails an exam that would have guaranteed her a scholarship, she cannot stall the inevitable, being sent off to boarding school. This impending departure heralds the beginning of the end. Life changes and innocence, if it had ever existed, is lost forever.
I can't say too much more because it would ruin key points but will say that I enjoyed this book very much. As the story unfolds, you turn pages with bated breathe, anticipating yet worried about what comes next. But as much as I liked this story, the end left me puzzled. Though the answers were provided for many mysteries, I was left wondering what the end actually meant. With a story like this, I don't want to guess, conjecture, hope, etc, that the end meant so and so. I want to know for sure.
At the start of the book, Mattie is confronting Sophie on issues he feels were hidden from him as a child and which he feels he now must address as an adult. Sophie, tied up and smarting from a blow to her face, cannot leave and is forced to relive Mattie's recollections of their childhood.
By virtue of the fact that Sophie is bound at the beginning of the story, danger and violence hang over the whole proceedings regardless of how mundane the recollections may seem. As you listen to Mattie discuss what appears to be an idyllic childhood in an English village, you wonder what could have led to the present situation. That Sophie loved her brother is never in question and the lengths she will go to protect him become evident almost immediately. If not for the dysfunctional parents, Mattie and Sophie's lives as children would be considered normal. A beautiful country side, adventures and discoveries, picnics and all the little things that make childhood so beautiful and confusing are relayed with an expert touch. The author is an amazing story teller who transports you into Mattie and Sophie's lives in all its vivid details.
But even as a child, Mattie notices little thing that suggest that there might be more to Sophie than at first thought. For one thing, Sophie is brilliant but hides her intelligence anytime people begin to notice. At thirteen, though she purposefully fails an exam that would have guaranteed her a scholarship, she cannot stall the inevitable, being sent off to boarding school. This impending departure heralds the beginning of the end. Life changes and innocence, if it had ever existed, is lost forever.
I can't say too much more because it would ruin key points but will say that I enjoyed this book very much. As the story unfolds, you turn pages with bated breathe, anticipating yet worried about what comes next. But as much as I liked this story, the end left me puzzled. Though the answers were provided for many mysteries, I was left wondering what the end actually meant. With a story like this, I don't want to guess, conjecture, hope, etc, that the end meant so and so. I want to know for sure.
March 30, 2025
I love Guy Burt's books for their mind-bending plot twists. This one had plenty of them. The last one was a real shocker, it was so horrifying I couldn't sleep all night. This is a great book but I recommend to only read it in the mornings. You'll thank me later.
EDIT:
Re-Read January 2025:
It's rare that a book holds up this well on reread. I first read it when I was still in high school, and I struggled to understand everything. Rereading it almost 20 years later, things are much clearer to me, even though they are never spelled out in the book.
When I first read SOPHIE, I couldn't sleep for 3 nights, that's how horrified I was. This time, I knew what was coming, and I just felt sad.
It's a great book, one of my all-time favourites. I love how it makes you think. It makes you work if you want to know what really happened, and I LOVE that.
EDIT:
Re-Read January 2025:
It's rare that a book holds up this well on reread. I first read it when I was still in high school, and I struggled to understand everything. Rereading it almost 20 years later, things are much clearer to me, even though they are never spelled out in the book.
When I first read SOPHIE, I couldn't sleep for 3 nights, that's how horrified I was. This time, I knew what was coming, and I just felt sad.
It's a great book, one of my all-time favourites. I love how it makes you think. It makes you work if you want to know what really happened, and I LOVE that.
February 12, 2012
My friend offered me to borrow this book. I was just curious because he told me that (for him) this was the worst book ever because of the weird ending! So I read it, the story was all about childhood obsessiveness. Sophie was a very brilliant girl and Mattie became psychotic when he grew up. The story was just fine but the ending was really weird and there are lots of different conclusions that came into my mind after finishing it.
October 1, 2007
well It was very confusing at first and kind of confusing as well, but after re-reading the ending, i finally got it. Im still a little curiousabout a few things, but for the most part i understood it. It was a really good book that keeps you wondering what will happen next. and it ties the present in with the past all at once. :]
November 17, 2021
I had this book on my shelf for years before I finally read it. I usually enjoy books that switch between perspectives but this one was slow going. The ending was so confusing to me that I had to reread it several times and google interpretations - but it did keep me thinking about what the ending actually meant after I had finished the book so 2 stars instead of 1.
March 1, 2010
I can't decide how much I liked or dislike this book. I left the book completely confused on what really happened at the end, and I was even confused as to why it all happened. Getting to the end was pretty easy, but the last forty pages or so threw me and I just don't know now. :)
February 22, 2015
I have NO idea what just happened....! It's brilliantly written, but I feel more than a little lost trying to puzzle it all out. There is NO way I can use this for class since I can't really articulate what happened.
April 2, 2020
2.5. I know this is kind of a short book and I purchased it instead of borrowing it from the e-library so I have forever to read it, but forever isn't really forever so why should waste any more time on a book that just drags?! I know from what I read about it before that there's a weird but by many accounts very confusing ending on the horizon but I just can't trample through any more Honeycomb Hideouts and trips to the quarry to get there (though such places might've been cool to actually hang out in as a kid but not read about over and over again) , so I'm just going to look ahead and see if I can figure out what happened.
Like The Blair Witch Project this seems to have sparked a lot of speculative discussions about what actually happened, and the prose is pretty good, so for that an extra .5 star. But for my personal level of enjoyment a flatout 2.
Like The Blair Witch Project this seems to have sparked a lot of speculative discussions about what actually happened, and the prose is pretty good, so for that an extra .5 star. But for my personal level of enjoyment a flatout 2.
November 9, 2025
A good book but for me, not as good as After the Hole which I thought was exceptional. In fact, for what it's worth, I think he probably wrote Sophie before After the Hole but only published it on the back of the formers success. I say this because it has the feeling of a teenage novel, or a young person trying to write an adult novel.
On the face of it, it is narrated by two people, a brother and sister who were very close due to an absent father and a mother who was something of a recluse. They relive their unusual childhood slowly revealing the often sinister events. There are a few twists and turns too and it certainly holds your attention but it's not in the same league as it's predecessor.
On the face of it, it is narrated by two people, a brother and sister who were very close due to an absent father and a mother who was something of a recluse. They relive their unusual childhood slowly revealing the often sinister events. There are a few twists and turns too and it certainly holds your attention but it's not in the same league as it's predecessor.
April 22, 2019
Hm. I think I'd give the first 210 pages (of 218 total) four stars and the final page a negative one. It's a book of shifting perspectives, to say the least, and Burt easily sustains the tension in most of what's here, but, yeah, that ending. Felt like things fell apart for him (or maybe he just wrote himself into a sort of cage). Sophie as a character, alternately described as smart, strong, strange, not normal, a monster, and, curiously, "halfway between a headmistress and Jesus Christ," is wholly memorable, though, and there are definitely a few creepy scenes along the way. It is interesting from first to last.
First lines:
"Matthew sits across from on the boards of the empty room. His eyes are ot on me at the moment. The side of my face hurts where he hit me."
First lines:
"Matthew sits across from on the boards of the empty room. His eyes are ot on me at the moment. The side of my face hurts where he hit me."
May 18, 2019
I picked this up months ago expecting a great, creepy read, but instead found myself bored and put it back down. I picked it up again a few days ago and was able to get into it a bit more. It takes some focus as the author switches perspectives many times in the same paragraphs, so you have to pay attention.
I like the atmosphere of the book but kept waiting for something I don’t think was fully delivered. I don’t mind an ambiguous ending and I got the gist of it, but feel a bit more information along the way would have made the ambiguousness more effective. Worth the read.
I like the atmosphere of the book but kept waiting for something I don’t think was fully delivered. I don’t mind an ambiguous ending and I got the gist of it, but feel a bit more information along the way would have made the ambiguousness more effective. Worth the read.
March 22, 2022
You know, it isn't often I feel so conflicted about a book. There were a significant amount of plot holes, but those make sense (doesn't mean I have to like them), and I was left co fused by the end of it. Confused enough to look up what other people though- which at least confirmed my thoughts.
February 25, 2024
I read this because I loved 'After the Hole' as it inspired my favourite film and I was not disappointed. another terrifying insight into the darkness of the human psyche. another guy burt novel that is one of my favourite books.
September 28, 2019
I read this book many years ago after I’d read ‘after the hole’. This book was amazing, creepy and disturbing and I would love to see an adaptation of it.
March 24, 2008
Read as part of my What's In A Name reading challenge.
A quick, gripping read. I like the way Burt foreshadows events throughout the story, building a sense of tension and dread throughout. I like the way he creates strong child characters who balance knowledge and innocence to a scary degree.
My concern comes with the rather limited range of his stories. I've read 'The Dandelion Clock' which was very similar to this novel (children roaming free through nature, loss of innocence with growing experience), and I've seen the film adaption of 'After the Hole' (which also focuses on twisted children).
Three of a kind, however good they might be, I can't help but ask what next Mr Burt?
A quick, gripping read. I like the way Burt foreshadows events throughout the story, building a sense of tension and dread throughout. I like the way he creates strong child characters who balance knowledge and innocence to a scary degree.
My concern comes with the rather limited range of his stories. I've read 'The Dandelion Clock' which was very similar to this novel (children roaming free through nature, loss of innocence with growing experience), and I've seen the film adaption of 'After the Hole' (which also focuses on twisted children).
Three of a kind, however good they might be, I can't help but ask what next Mr Burt?
October 22, 2007
I love it! It has a surprising ending. The story goes back and forth from present to past. At the beginning, I was confused, but when I get the plot, I enjoy it very much.
A thriller novel, indeed. About a man, Mattie, who wants to learn about his past. His sister, Sophie, seems to know everything, but yet she hides her knowledge so as people wouldn't know she's so smart and think her as a weird girl. But when she's with Mattie, she becomes more herself.
But why? Why did she has to hide it so hard? Years after their separation, Mattie learns the truth. And the truth is not a pleasant one.
A thriller novel, indeed. About a man, Mattie, who wants to learn about his past. His sister, Sophie, seems to know everything, but yet she hides her knowledge so as people wouldn't know she's so smart and think her as a weird girl. But when she's with Mattie, she becomes more herself.
But why? Why did she has to hide it so hard? Years after their separation, Mattie learns the truth. And the truth is not a pleasant one.
May 5, 2010
I read this book in one day and really liked it! Albeit, I'm wondering what this says about me. It was a very fast read (obviously), and quite the page turner. I always enjoy books that navigate fluidly between the past and the present to tell a linear story. This one was a tad awkward and confusing at times, but instead of finding this irritating, I thought it worked as a plot device. The ending was very...whoa. It was messed up to say the least, but if you have a bit of a dark side (when it comes to books), you'll like this one.
November 26, 2007
huh. creepy as all get out, with a very intricate plot. so intricate, i don't think i got the ending. at all. if anyone would like to explain it to me, i think i'd appreciate it, because right now i'm just kind of like . . . uhhhh. i mean, i think i know sophie's secrets. i just don't think i know mattie's.
but very intriguing. it wasn't a fun read, but it was hard to put down. have a feeling i'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.
but very intriguing. it wasn't a fun read, but it was hard to put down. have a feeling i'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.
June 11, 2018
I've read this book three times and I still don't understand the ending. The last chapter is just so weird and incomprehensible. I also still don't understand who/what Ol' Grady was, or what happened to their mother at the end. It's a very good book, but I wish there had been some explanation of the final events. I don't think I've missed anything during any of my re-reads, so I don't know if it was intended to be ambiguous, but it's disappointing to not understand what happened.
April 23, 2012
Sophie! Not as brilliant as Burt's first novel, but still pretty great. In this fast read, you are trapped in the dark with a kid-napped woman as the man before her recounts tales of their childhood together. What happened to the preternaturally intelligent Sophie all those years ago, to bring her to this place today? Guy Burt, I love you. Please write more.
January 19, 2016
Very good - creepy and confusing! Either it's impossible to understand what really happened because Matthew's so unreliable, or (more likely) I'm just not able to figure it all out (most notably who actually instigated the whole Old Grady thing, and how Sophie convinced their mother to do what she did at the end).
September 2, 2007
This novel left you guessing as to what really happened. I'd love to use this in a book discussion and see what other people think. The other book I read by this author, The Hole, has a similarly ambiguous ending.
October 15, 2007
This was pretty good. The author does a good job of shifting between the present confrontation between Matthew and Sophie, and memories of their childhood. There are parts of the story that could have been explained better (or at all), but overall it's a good creepy read.
June 28, 2011
”幻惑と郷愁の魔術的小説”とあるように、吸込まれるように読み終えた。
海外の作者の小説を読んだのは、すごく久しぶりで、それがこのお話でよかったと思える。
姉に従順で純粋無垢な弟、マシュー。優雅な高知能を持った姉、ソフィー。
互いへの愛情に満ちた二人だけの秘密の花園。ほんとうにこの二人の幼少期は、夢の様な日々だった事がありありと想像できて、それがどんな結末であれ魔法にかかったようにその日々を羨ましく想い惚れ惚れとしてしまう...
海外の作者の小説を読んだのは、すごく久しぶりで、それがこのお話でよかったと思える。
姉に従順で純粋無垢な弟、マシュー。優雅な高知能を持った姉、ソフィー。
互いへの愛情に満ちた二人だけの秘密の花園。ほんとうにこの二人の幼少期は、夢の様な日々だった事がありありと想像できて、それがどんな結末であれ魔法にかかったようにその日々を羨ましく想い惚れ惚れとしてしまう...
May 1, 2015
What just happened!?
I enjoyed the writing style a lot, but I'm gonna have to go back and reread some pages because I feel like I may have missed something. I'm still trying to figure out Sophie and Mattie.
I enjoyed the writing style a lot, but I'm gonna have to go back and reread some pages because I feel like I may have missed something. I'm still trying to figure out Sophie and Mattie.
January 30, 2021
This book makes no sense. The writing is confusing and the characters make so many illogical choices that the text doesn't justify. It's too bad because there's a great creepy story in there, but it's buried by the weight of all the other junk.
Read
May 19, 2008JF Bur
May 7, 2010
I loved his first novel The Hole but this one was unbelievably confusing. I kept expecting some kind of revelation to present itself but it was not forthcoming.
Very disappointing.
Very disappointing.
October 20, 2010
I just didn't get it - I compulsively read this book to get to the end so I could "get it". So I gave it to a friend to read and maybe with her help I can "get it"!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews