Reviews

We Spread by Iain Reid

kaydot's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

kelseyd_reads's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

jenjen's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

31daysinaugust's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

larywrites's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

New fear unlocked. Kind of like if the TV show Severance was about an assisted living facility.

laurelrad's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad fast-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? No

5.0

hmunkster's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

jenhurst's review against another edition

3.0

A creepy atmosphere but it didn’t really grab me.

homiejess's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

dowryofbooks's review against another edition

3.0

“This lie is one about life, that we need more of it, that we need to be more productive, produce more, that it has to be longer, that death is the enemy. It’s not true. Infinity is a breathtaking mystery, or so I used to believe. Now I know it’s not. Infinity is stagnant. It doesn’t expand. It can’t. It’s just immeasurable. It’s not a mystery, it’s simply endless.”

This is so beautifully and deeply written. I can see why it's becoming an all time favorite for so many people. Although Iain Reid makes you question throughout the book if something more sinister is going on, this is a horror firmly rooted in the reality of aging and losing your grasp on your own mind.

I think this didn't have the full impact on me for two reasons. One, this appeals to your inner fear of aging and I've never really had that. My fears of dying come from more unrealistic scenarios (or maybe not so with the current climate crisis) like tsunamis and tornadoes. And two, I listened to the audiobook which I think was a mistake. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job, but I missed out on seeing the stylistic writing that would have made me connect more with Penny.

If I ever get a physical copy, this is definitely a book I'd revisit in the future. Iain Reid is such a brilliant writer and I still feel like I'm missing out by not loving this one.