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A review by sissix_
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was captivated by Roos, Ruth and Agnes from start to finish.
My Darling Dreadful thing is a tale woven from the perspective of Roos, our troubled first person narrator, and notes from the doctor tasked with ascertaining her mental state - because she’s been accused of a gruesome murder.
The clever combination of the two means you’re constantly on edge: chasing more details to put together the story, left wondering what the truth is, and feeling like you’re always a step away from finding it out but not quite close enough.
Roos’ voice is compelling and at times deeply unnerving. Her animalistic descriptions of her spirit companion Ruth are both horrifying and (grossly) delightful. There was never a moment in reading this book that I wanted to put it down - although there were points where I had to so I could digest what I’d just read.
If you like queer (specifically sapphic) gothic horror you absolutely need to read this book.
My Darling Dreadful thing is a tale woven from the perspective of Roos, our troubled first person narrator, and notes from the doctor tasked with ascertaining her mental state - because she’s been accused of a gruesome murder.
The clever combination of the two means you’re constantly on edge: chasing more details to put together the story, left wondering what the truth is, and feeling like you’re always a step away from finding it out but not quite close enough.
Roos’ voice is compelling and at times deeply unnerving. Her animalistic descriptions of her spirit companion Ruth are both horrifying and (grossly) delightful. There was never a moment in reading this book that I wanted to put it down - although there were points where I had to so I could digest what I’d just read.
If you like queer (specifically sapphic) gothic horror you absolutely need to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Vomit
Moderate: Death, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, and Sexual assault