You Will Know Me
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
You Will Know Me is a 2016 murder mystery authored by Megan Abbott and issued by Little, Brown and Company. The plot revolves around the Knox family following the fatal hit-and-run of a close family acquaintance just prior to their daughter's gymnastics competition.
Plot
The narrative opens with the tragic hit-and-run death of a family friend shortly before a gymnastics meet. It focuses on Devon Knox, a promising gymnast aiming for the Olympics, along with her parents, Katie and Eric Knox, who have devoted significant emotional and financial resources to support their 15-year-old daughter. Presented through Katie's viewpoint, the story delves into the family's disintegration as suspicion falls on Eric regarding the incident.
Background and publication
Megan Abbott conceived You Will Know Me to examine the impact of nurturing a prodigious child on familial relationships. Her preparation involved consulting Andrew Solomon's Far From the Tree, which investigates families with gifted or challenged children. The choice to center on gymnastics was influenced by viral videos depicting American gymnast Aly Raisman’s parents’ intense involvement, as well as figures like Teri Shields, known for her "stage mom" reputation. Devon’s childhood injury draws inspiration from ice skater Elaine Zayak’s history.
Abbott expanded her research by studying gymnasts’ autobiographies and conducting interviews with former athletes. To capture an authentic teenage female voice, she immersed herself in social media platforms such as Instagram and Tumblr and drew creative influence from bands like Sleater-Kinney. Critics have likened the novel to real-life events like the Nancy Kerrigan attack and cinematic works such as The Omen.
Released on July 26, 2016, by Little, Brown and Company, the audiobook version featured narration by Lauren Fortgang and was distributed by Hachette Audio and Blackstone Audio. Promotional efforts included a six-city book tour alongside participation at the annual American Library Association conference.
Themes
The story incorporates motifs reminiscent of Greek tragedy, underscored by Drew's battle with scarlet fever and Katie’s anxiety about residing in a "sick house." Familial strain escalates under the demands imposed by gymnasts, coaches, and parents within the BelStars community. The theme of desire recurs throughout You Will Know Me and Abbott's broader oeuvre.
Abbott frequently centers her work on adolescent girls, characterizing adolescence as simultaneously exhilarating and harrowing. She highlights this stage as one marked by profound self-examination. The novel sheds light on the rigorous control and surveillance exerted over young gymnasts’ bodies, portraying this as a stark reality of adolescence that symbolizes increasing emotional distance between teenagers and their parents.
Reception
You Will Know Me garnered widespread critical praise, earning starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Library Journal. Booklist lauded it as a "dazzling tale" that probes themes of desire, mystery, and the heavy expectations placed on gymnasts. Library Journal commended Abbott’s talent for delivering unpredictable narrative twists, while Kirkus Reviews applauded her expertise in crafting suspense.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlighted emotional complexity over mere plot surprises, whereas The New York Times emphasized Abbott’s compelling suspense-driven storytelling. Critics also noted her focus on psychological and social dynamics; NPR described the book as "a masterful thriller" that authentically portrays teenage cliques and parental groups. Shelf Awareness regarded it as a sophisticated examination of obsession catalyzed by crime.
Publishers Weekly concentrated on character portrayals: Eric’s anxiety, Katie’s secretiveness, Devon’s sense of entitlement, alongside the relentless ambition of gymnasts and their families fixated on Olympic achievement.
Abbott’s narrative style in this work drew comparisons to authors such as Richard Yates, John Cheever, and Stephen King.
| Year | Award | Result | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Booklist Best Sports Fiction | — | Top 10 | |
| 2017 | Anthony Award | Novel | Template:Sho | |
| ITW Thriller Award | Novel | Template:Sho | ||
| Macavity Awards | Mystery Novel | Template:Sho | ||
| Steel Dagger | — | Template:Sho |