Overview

The Panopticon follows Anais, fifteen and fiercely alive, as she is taken by police to the Panopticon, a residential care home for young offenders on the edge of a Scottish city. Accused of hurting a police officer, she must navigate life inside a brutal institution while confronting her past, survival and identity.

Writing & Voice

We found Fagan’s voice raw, electric and full of linguistic daring. Anais’s narrative crackles with Scottish-inflected energy. Her internal monologue carries humour, pain and vivid imagery that illuminates her life in care and the way she sees the world, making her a memorable and unpredictable narrator.

Content & Perspective

The story weaves between Anais’s time in the care system and flashbacks to defining moments from her past, including trauma, loss and abandonment. Her fierce resilience and imaginative outlook give depth to harsh realities, shaping a perspective that is as vulnerable as it is defiant.

Themes

The Panopticon explores institutionalisation, autonomy and the scars left by systems meant to protect. It also examines how a young person forms a sense of self within oppressive structures. The narrative meditates on surveillance, freedom and the power of storytelling as Anais seeks to define her own life.

What Worked

• Unforgettable voice that propels the novel forward.
• Sharp social insight into care and justice systems.
• Blend of realism and imaginative vision that enriches character depth.

Minor Quibbles

• The dense slang and dialect can take adjustment.
• Some scenes are unflinchingly harsh, which may not suit all readers.

Final Thoughts

The Panopticon is a blistering debut we admired for its fearless voice, emotional force, and refusal to soften the realities of care, control, and survival.

Rating: ★★★★½ / 5