Book Review: Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang

Rating:★★★½☆

"Being a young woman is already like existing in the seventh circle of hell."

Some novels succeed because of their plot. Others because of their characters. Julie Chan is Dead manages to stand out by using both as vehicles for a larger conversation about image, privilege, and the increasingly blurred line between authenticity and performance.

Liann Zhang's debut introduces us to twin sisters whose lives have diverged dramatically. Julie grows up under the care of a cruel aunt, navigating hardship and instability, while Chloe is adopted into wealth and transformed into the kind of polished Upper West Side influencer whose life appears curated to perfection. Their estrangement is suddenly disrupted by a phone call, setting in motion a chain of events that gradually reveals the fragile foundations beneath carefully constructed identities.

From the outset, the premise is compelling. Zhang understands how to create intrigue without relying on constant twists, allowing the tension to build steadily as the story unfolds. The result is a novel that feels both contemporary and unsettling, rooted in a world that is immediately recognizable yet strangely alien in its obsession with visibility and self-presentation.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its accessibility. The prose is sharp and approachable, making for a remarkably quick read despite the heavier themes woven throughout the narrative. I found myself moving through the novel with ease, finishing it in only a couple of days.

At its best, the writing cuts through the spectacle of social media culture to expose something far more uncomfortable beneath it. The endless pursuit of relevance, validation, and perfection becomes less glamorous and more tragic the closer we look. Zhang demonstrates a keen awareness of the contradictions inherent in influencer culture: a world built on connection that often breeds isolation, and a platform capable of creating opportunities while simultaneously demanding relentless performance.

That said, the novel occasionally becomes too immersed in the very culture it seeks to critique.

The middle portion lingers extensively on the mechanics of influencer life—its routines, rituals, and social hierarchies. While these details undoubtedly contribute to the novel's themes, there were moments when the narrative felt somewhat repetitive. The satire occasionally risks overstaying its welcome, delaying the momentum established in the opening chapters.

Fortunately, the story regains its footing as it approaches the conclusion.

The final act is tense, deliberate, and ultimately rewarding. The patience required during the slower sections pays off as the narrative threads begin to converge. Rather than relying on shock value alone, Zhang allows the ending to emerge naturally from the choices her characters have made throughout the novel, giving the conclusion a satisfying sense of inevitability.

Another aspect I appreciated was the novel's sense of humour. Amid its darker observations, Zhang slips in moments of wit that provide welcome relief from the tension. Some of the sharpest lines in the book expose the absurdity of influencer culture more effectively than any extended critique could.

What elevates Julie Chan is Dead beyond a simple thriller or social satire is its interest in identity itself. Beneath the commentary on social media lies a deeper question: how much of who we are is genuine, and how much is shaped by the expectations of others? In a culture increasingly driven by visibility, branding, and performance, that question feels more relevant than ever.

Not every section of the novel shines equally, and there are moments where its social commentary threatens to overwhelm the story. Yet as a debut, it is remarkably assured. Zhang demonstrates a strong command of voice, pacing, and theme while crafting a narrative that remains engaging from beginning to end.

Julie Chan is Dead is sharp, contemporary, and quietly unsettling—a novel that uses the language of suspense to explore the costs of living in a world where attention has become a form of currency.

Rating: ★★★½☆