In the latest issue of Booklist, I have 2 reviews. Both are by small presses, and have authors who are critically acclaimed. And I feel strongly that both belong in all public library collections.
As always, this post includes my draft review with extra notes and appeal info.
Let's begin with the starred book.
STAR
EynhallowBy Tim McGregor
Feb. 2024. 180p. Raw Dog Screaming, $29.95 (9781947879669); paper, $17.95 (9781947879676). First published November 1, 2023 (Booklist).
Eynhallow, an uninhabited island in the Orkney Islands, long considered haunted by Trolls and Finfolk, was home to a few hardy families until 1851. McGregor (Wasps in the Ice Cream) uses the real place and its eerie history as the atmospheric setting for his compelling and convincing retelling of Frankenstein. 1797, Agnes is one of 20 souls living on Eynhallow. She spends her days caring for her children, avoiding her husband’s wrath, and gossiping with her pregnant neighbor. Life is hard and lonely on the windswept island. Visitors are rare. When a rich foreigner arrives to hide himself away, it upends everyone’s lives, especially Agnes’, whose husband hires her out to help keep house for the mysterious stranger. Told exclusively through Agnes’s strong narrative voice, readers are immersed in the plot and the place, even before Frankenstein arrives, but as Agnes gets to know him better, the tension, unease, and danger build, sightings of a monster lurking in the darkness increase, and Frankenstein’s curse becomes Agnes’ burden. An excellent example of the very best of the popular Historical and Retelling Horror tropes, this unsettling novella will be eagerly devoured by fans of Alma Katsu and Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Further Appeal: First, McGregor is quickly becoming a not to miss voice in Horror. I gave bothWasps in the Ice Cream and Hearts Strange and Dreadful stars. I still think about both of those books.
The setting and frame are everything here. To give the Bride of Frankenstein her backstory story in print is important. But, just giving her a voice is not enough. Why this story is a star is because of the historical accuracy, of the voice, the place and the time. It all makes sense on its own.
Look up Eynhallow. If you do you will find that it is the perfect setting here and McGregor leaned in on it. The real island was cleared under mysterious circumstances in 1851 and people still only visit it once a year. McGregor uses this fact and makes his story the explanation as to why the island emptied out. The creepy fact that people still come back 1x a year and the book saying she is probably still there is very cool. Add an extra layer of unease.
Also Agnres' voice is historically accurate. She is strong and confident but also subservient. She is perfectly rendered and the language reflects how she would talk. Her thoughts are accurate for a woman in her position. The fact that she is unusually tall is brought up immediately. Her sad story of life is historically accurate.
It is a compelling story, but one that is methodically paced because the necessary details need to be laid down for it to work. It moves as fast as it can, but fast enough that the pages keep turning. Agnes herself, her narration, aids that pacing as well.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Strong Sense of Place, atmospheric unease, strong narrative voice
Readalikes: Specific titles for the authors mentioned that I would most suggest here are The Hunger and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau.
McGregor's Hearts Strange and Dreadful is also an excellent example of Historical Horror
The feel of this book reminded me of the feel of Little Eve by Catriona Ward
Victor LaValle’s Destroyer (GN) and his 2023 novel Lone Women by LaValle both work as realizes
here. The GN because of the Frankenstein retelling vibes, and Lone Women for the historical, strong sense of place, pervasive unease, and strong narrative voice (Adelaide and Agnes). But Lone Women ends with hope. Eynhallow, not so much.
Next up, and excellent story collection.
By James Chambers
Dec. 2023. 306p. illus. Weird House, paper, $19.95 (9781957121567).
First published November 1, 2023 (Booklist).
Knicksport, NY, a town infested with Cthulhu nightmares, a place where people go missing, if they are lucky, or descend into madness, if they are not. Setting the terror lose in 12 stories that range over 75 years, Chambers’ employs engaging, mostly, first person, narration, allowing readers fall into these tales easily, trusting the storyteller, even when they know they should not, even as the evil forces become so pervasive and powerful that their existence dwarfs the mere existence of humanity, in other words, a perfect cocktail of Lovecraftian Horror goodness. “Odd Quahogs” is the perfect opener, and the stories build to a peak with the pandemic set “Stars on the Fringe of a Black Hole,” closing with the title story about a famous author that will leave even the most jaded readers shaken to their core. Enhanced by disturbingly beautiful illustrations of K.L. Turner, suggest to fans of the intense unease and nihilism of Lovecraft, sans the bigotry, by Lucy Snyder or in The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle.
Further Appeal: Chambers is setting up a direct line from Lovecraft to Knicksport: Providence, Arkham, Knicksport. His setting is clearly on the North Shore of Long Island which is separated by a direct line through a body of water to Providence.
The first story is in 1950 and they move forward in time. Adds unease because the same things keep happening.
Most stories are in first person and the reader falls into each immediately, trusting the narrator. It makes the Cosmic Horror to come easier to not only encounter but also believe.
The stories consider descents into madness or cosmic portals opening-- both which are part of the general appeal of cosmic horror.
These stories are also populated by a realistically diverse cast of characters. And many of the stories are good enough to be nominated for awards.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Cosmic Horror, Strong Sense of Place, Engaging Narration
Readalikes: Other specific titles and authors to consider, Hailey Piper, This Things Between Us by Gus Moreno, Matt Ruff's Lovecraft Country series, and The Blade Between by Sam J. Miller are all good places to start.
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