I love translated horror. I enjoy learning what evokes fear in other cultures, and opening my imagination to new things to keep me awake at night. Through the Night Like a Snake, a new collection of Latin American horror from Two Lines Press’s Calico series, introduced me to exciting new writers and translators. With not … Continue reading Review: Through the Night Like a Snake: Latin American Horror Stories, edited by Sarah Coolidge (Two Lines Press)
Review: The Woman in the Sable Coat, by Elizabeth Brooks (Tin House)
Elizabeth Brooks is one of my favorite authors of “normal” books. As someone who reads a lot of genre books, it takes a special writer to make me take a break from the weird. So I’m thrilled to report I thoroughly enjoyed Brooks’ latest novel, The Woman in the Sable Coat. The titular woman in … Continue reading Review: The Woman in the Sable Coat, by Elizabeth Brooks (Tin House)
Review: The Book of Love, by Kelly Link (Random House)
When I found out Kelly Link was writing a novel, I basically died. Those who have discovered the magic of Link’s short stories will understand my joy. Link hasn’t dipped her toes into novel-writing with a brief story; The Book of Love is over 600 pages long. Susannah, Mo, and Daniel have returned from the … Continue reading Review: The Book of Love, by Kelly Link (Random House)
Review: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, by GennaRose Nethercott (Vintage)
I fell in love with GennaRose Nethercott’s writing after reading her thrilling novel, Thistlefoot. As an avid reader of weird short stories, I grabbed Nethercott’s debut collection, Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, as soon as I could. Here are my favorites: Sundown at the Eternal Staircase - The opening story establishes the tone of … Continue reading Review: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, by GennaRose Nethercott (Vintage)
Review: Flannery O’Connor’s Why Do the Heathen Rage? (Brazos Press)
Writer Flannery O’Connor published many short stories, but only two novels before her untimely death at age 39. Thanks to academic Jessica Hooten Wilson, readers now have access to fragments of O’Connor’s incomplete novel, Why Do the Heathen Rage? Hooten Wilson has interspersed these short sections with research, insight, and speculation for a unique, enjoyable … Continue reading Review: Flannery O’Connor’s Why Do the Heathen Rage? (Brazos Press)
Review: The Secret Life of Insects, by Bernardo Esquinca (Valancourt)
A few years ago, I read Bernardo Esquinca’s story, Señor Ligotti, in the fantastic Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories. I am not exaggerating when I say I think about this story at least once a month. This new collection gives Esquinca many more opportunities to imprint his brand of terror onto the brain of … Continue reading Review: The Secret Life of Insects, by Bernardo Esquinca (Valancourt)
Review: Chrysalis, by Anna Metcalfe (Random House)
Chrysalis is split into three sections, in which we learn about an unnamed woman from the perspective of her mother, her colleague, and a potential lover. Through their eyes, we learn about her journey from isolated childhood to unconventional social media guru. I love how the story unraveled; there are no “twists” in this Chrysalis, … Continue reading Review: Chrysalis, by Anna Metcalfe (Random House)
Review: Hazardous Spirits, by Anbara Salam (Tin House)
Another cracking “something’s not quite right” novel for 2023. Set in 1920s Edinburgh, Evelyn’s husband, Robert, has decided he can talk to the dead, and pivots from a career in accountancy to become a spiritualist medium. Evelyn and Robert become society darlings, but Evelyn is shunned by her family due to them being embarrassed by … Continue reading Review: Hazardous Spirits, by Anbara Salam (Tin House)
Review: Thornhedge, by T. Kingfisher (Tor)
Whoops! I finished this audiobook in a day, completely by accident. Once I entered Toadling’s world, I couldn’t leave. And after such a short time with her, I am now bereft. T. Kingfisher nails it again with her latest novella, Thornhedge. Toadling guards a tower, the contents of which are not immediately apparent. She stands … Continue reading Review: Thornhedge, by T. Kingfisher (Tor)
Review: Lone Women, by Victor LaValle (One World)
Which Victor LaValle book did you read first? Mine was The Changeling. Brutal, devastating, ambitious, and incredibly weird. It made me reassess what a literary horror novel could be. I'm excited for the TV adaptation. So of course, as soon as I had the opportunity to read LaValle’s latest book, Lone Women, I dived right … Continue reading Review: Lone Women, by Victor LaValle (One World)
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