THIS BOOK IS BONKERS. My husband had so much fun watching me read it, especially when a Part would come up that made me shout “Oh, no!” or give a start at something that had just unfolded. I texted my sister throughout with many exclamations or observations. I noted that this book reminded me a LOT of Jordan Peele’s movies or Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite. I’m not a usual fan of horror, but this book compelled me from beginning to end.
I’m not going to say much, because being unspoiled is best. The less you know about the plot, the better, in my opinion. What I will say is this: the novel hinges on an act that happened 10 years ago, the weekend before Thanksgiving. Ricky, Lewis, Gabe, Cass. Best friends who have one last chance to hang out before they go their separate ways. A violation of norms. An act that will haunt all of them till the present day.
This book is not for the faint of heart. Things…happen. Violent things. I was not prepared for many of the things I read about, and I’m not going to lie, what Lewis eventually does is probably going to live rent-free in my head for a LONG time. But I think this book is crucial, because it delves into inter-generational trauma, a history of violence (particularly its effects on women), and the tension between individuality and tradition. The pacing and craft are taut, and I found myself WAITING for quite some time, so I think Stephen Graham Jones does an amazing job building suspense. I can’t speak to other horror novels, but this one was repulsive and gripping at the same time. Let me know what you think of it if you read it!