The Wildelings
The Wildelings by Lisa Harding is a vivid narrative published by HarperCollins Publishers on April 15, 2025. This 368-page novel unfolds in Nineties Dublin, focusing on the complex friendship between Jessica and Linda, who have been inseparable since childhood. As they navigate their new lives at Wilde, an elite university, Jessica’s protective nature is challenged when Mark, a charismatic philosophy student, enters their circle, leading to a shift in dynamics that reveals deep-seated issues of obsession and control.
Readers will find a compelling exploration of themes such as friendship and psychological tension as the story delves into the impact of Mark’s influence on both girls and their group of friends. The narrative captures the essence of coming-of-age experiences intertwined with mystery and suspense, as Jessica grapples with guilt and the need for resolution years later. The Wildelings presents a thought-provoking look at the consequences of secrets and the struggle for self-discovery amidst complex relationships.
Official synopsis Publisher
Named one of the best books of spring by Harper’s BAZAAR and one of the best of the year by The Economist!
A vivid and compulsive story of obsession, control and guilt, set in Nineties Dublin – perfect for fans of dark academia and Donna Tartt’s The Secret History
Jessica and Linda have been best friends since the first day of school. Both girls are from very different broken homes – and beautiful, wilful Jessica has always ensured their survival. Now eighteen, the two have come to Wilde – an elite university in the heart of Dublin, far away from their troubled childhoods. Jessica thrives immediately, and, with the faithful Linda at her side, finds herself at the heart of a new circle of friends.
But then Mark enters the picture. A philosophy student a few years older than them, he has strange and compelling ideas about self-discovery. When Linda and Mark start dating, Jessica is disturbed by the change in her friend – and how quickly she seems to have fallen under the charismatic man’s control.
It turns out that Mark’s influence is not limited to Linda alone; and Jessica soon finds out that her whole group of friends are keeping secrets for him…and it will culminate in ways that will change their lives forever. Years later, Jessica is still grappling with her guilt over what happened at Wilde. And when Mark resurfaces to write his version of events, she knows she owes it to herself – and Linda – to set the record straight once and for all.
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