I stayed up till 3 am to read this book. On a Sunday night. Seriously, I couldn't put it down, it's like diving into the rabbit hole that is Belle Gibson's life and lies. I've been on the internet long enough to have witnessed time and time again how someone with a good, emotional story can quickly build a loyal following who will tear down anyone who questions their idol. If anyone starts asking questions, they are called a hater, accused of being negative, jealous, even a bully. And so these people continue unquestioned.

Belle Gibson stands out because she got away with her lies on such a big scale and for so long, but for every Belle Gibson there's hundreds of lower level internet scams by people playing the cancer card and profiting off donations and enjoying the emotional support from those who try to help them. And so one of the most fascinating issues for me was how she gathered so much support and became practically untouchable, a saint, an angel, totally beyond questioning. If she hadn't fucked up and got caught out not passing on donations to charities, who knows how long it would have been until her fake cancer story came out. I think there is a lesson here in pedestalising people, but also a warning against demonising and attacking people who dare to ask the unpopular questions.

The other point of interest for me was, of course, Belle's culpability. Did she know what she was doing? Was it a deliberate lie to deceive and profit off others' desire for hope? Or did she believe her own lies? There seems to be a remarkable degree of disconnect with reality and a lack of self-reflection. I formed the view that she was absorbed in the fantasy of her own creation to the point that her the black and white distinction between truth and a lie didn't exist to her.

I am glad that information about the Munchausen Syndrome is making its way out into the mainstream. It's a dangerous condition that needs more spotlight shone upon it. ( )

I’m glad this book was written, a lot of people needed closure on the elusive Gibson saga. A mighty easy read... too easy, in fact. There were a few grammatical errors that irritated me and the writing style wasn’t great. Nevertheless, it was an absorbing story. I can only imagine how incredible it would have been from Helen Garners perspective (one can dream). ( )