J. R. Thornton | Lucien

The Secret History meets Saltburn in this captivating and darkly seductive tale of art, obsession and the perilous cost of reinvention.

‘A cautionary tale of fakery of all kinds…  the perils of hero-worship have rarely been demonstrated with such intensity and style.’ The Times

‘Lucien is thrilling in every way—the propulsive narrative, the knife-sharp prose, the nuanced and multi-faceted characters, the unflinching exploration of class, ego, art, and authenticity … an utterly original and deeply affecting novel.’ Bret Anthony Johnston

His greatest gift was the art of deceit…

When Christopher “Atlas” Novotny arrives at Harvard, he is completely unprepared for the privileged world that awaits him. There he meets his roommate, Lucien Orsini-Conti, who is bold, confident and sophisticated – everything Atlas wishes he could be.

In awe of Lucien, Atlas is soon swept into a glittering new world of lavish parties and elite social clubs. But when he struggles to afford his new lifestyle, Lucien, sensing a willing disciple, offers a daring solution.

As their underhand methods draw them into a dangerous game of deceit, Lucien’s behaviour grows more erratic. Is Lucien all that he seems, or does his charismatic façade conceal something much more sinister?