The Curse of Hester Gardens is an incredibly impressive debut from Tamika Thompson. An epic story about gun violence, inherited trauma, and the supernatural.
Nona McKinley is fighting an uphill battle. Her eldest son is dead, potentially killed by one of his childhood friends, and her husband is in jail. Nora puts all her energy into ensuring the safety of her two remaining sons, Marcus and Lance. A difficult task in a place like Hester Gardens. However, things look promising when Marcus is accepted to an Ivy League college, and his path out of the Gardens seems set.
But things are tense in Hester Gardens. Squabbles escalate quickly into violence, and mysterious shadows lurk in peoples’ homes. Can Nora hold on to her family and her sanity?
I cannot begin to tell you how compelling this novel is. It seems ideal for a HBO TV adaptation. The array of characters are all well-formed and recognizable. The struggles are real, and the moments of horror are genuinely scary.
I fell in love with the central character of Nora. A grieving mother, who does not have time to dwell on her troubles, but is far from perfect. The lengths to which Nora will go to ensure safety for her boys is incredible. I wish I had half of her strength and resolve.
Jasmin Walker narrates the audiobook, and her amazing performance elevates this book to another level. Walker’s ability to capture every single character, and give them a distinct, consistent voice is jaw-dropping.
Highly recommended to fans of horror, social justice commentary, and literary fiction.
California Reading 