A review by lvleggett
The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The main character arrives at a sanatorium in Switzerland in the early 1900s to take the treatment. He is surrounded by a guesthouse of men who pontificate on the superiority of men, among other philosophical points. He is always a bit removed, unsettled and immediately aware of unnerving elements in and around the house. While horror does appear - in what is said and what is done - it is not the driving force of the book. It is the main character's understanding of self. 

Olga always challenges me. I'm looking up references and reflecting on moments long after I've read them. It's not casual reading. But it is fun and startling.
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