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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this one. Good pacing, good character development. Thompson does a good job at hinting at internal struggles and dilemmas without beating them to death.
Creeping under-skin uncomfortableness, weirdness that never quite gets explained.
I'm still not entirely sure what I just read, but it was utterly fantastic.
I'm still not entirely sure what I just read, but it was utterly fantastic.
I don't think Tade Thompson is capable of writing a bad book.
This is complex, thought-provoking, atmospheric and unsettling. A fantastic concept brilliantly executed, that packs an enormous punch in a very small number of pages.
This is complex, thought-provoking, atmospheric and unsettling. A fantastic concept brilliantly executed, that packs an enormous punch in a very small number of pages.
The Murders of Molly Southbourne centers on, of course, Molly Southbourne, a young woman with a rather unusual problem. From birth, any time that Molly bleeds, an identical version of her (a molly) is born and attempts to kill her. From her youngest days, Molly's parents teach her a set of rules to help her navigate this horrifying reality. But no one can avoid bleeding forever or be ready to fight for their life at every possible moment and even their best efforts may not be enough to keep Molly safe from the mollys forever.
This is the first story I've ever read from Tade Thompson but it certainly won't be the last. The constant menace of the mollys, the gruesome ways in which Molly had to protect herself and the inevitable psychological damage of having to constantly kill yourself in order to remain alive were all so compelling and horrifying. It reminded me very much of that level of horrified fascination that has always gotten me when I watch episodes of Black Mirror. I could see this being a bit of a struggle for anyone who needs strict logic and clear answers since at least this novella doesn't really deliver strongly on that. It's more focused on the psychological effect on Molly and gets a little hand wavy in terms of the cause of the mollys. That didn't bother me much as a reader who cares more about character, but YMMV.
I very much needed a palate cleanser after the creep-out and dread in this relatively short story but there's no doubt in my mind that I'll read the sequel and anything else I can get from Tade Thompson. The Murders of Molly Southbourne is great for readers who like being creeped out and are okay with more questions than answers.
This is the first story I've ever read from Tade Thompson but it certainly won't be the last. The constant menace of the mollys, the gruesome ways in which Molly had to protect herself and the inevitable psychological damage of having to constantly kill yourself in order to remain alive were all so compelling and horrifying. It reminded me very much of that level of horrified fascination that has always gotten me when I watch episodes of Black Mirror. I could see this being a bit of a struggle for anyone who needs strict logic and clear answers since at least this novella doesn't really deliver strongly on that. It's more focused on the psychological effect on Molly and gets a little hand wavy in terms of the cause of the mollys. That didn't bother me much as a reader who cares more about character, but YMMV.
I very much needed a palate cleanser after the creep-out and dread in this relatively short story but there's no doubt in my mind that I'll read the sequel and anything else I can get from Tade Thompson. The Murders of Molly Southbourne is great for readers who like being creeped out and are okay with more questions than answers.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 stars
"With each failure, each input, each wound to the psyche, we are created anew. This new self is who we must battle each day or face extinction of the spirit."
In this thriller, Molly Southbourne has to take a much more literal approach to murdering her "new self". Every time she sheds a drop of blood, it will grow into a clone which attempts to kill her. The author does a great job at exploring the horrors associated with having to literally kill oneself in order to stay alive. The psychological issues that Molly suffers are worse than the physical attacks, and they become the focus of the novel as the plot progresses. Oh, and there's lots of gory stuff about how to dismember bodies and clean up bloodstains. It's a quick read, but exactly what I wanted from a horror story.
Tor.com is giving away this novella for free in July 2019, and you shouldn't miss the chance to pick it up! Just don't read it at night (like I did).
"With each failure, each input, each wound to the psyche, we are created anew. This new self is who we must battle each day or face extinction of the spirit."
In this thriller, Molly Southbourne has to take a much more literal approach to murdering her "new self". Every time she sheds a drop of blood, it will grow into a clone which attempts to kill her. The author does a great job at exploring the horrors associated with having to literally kill oneself in order to stay alive. The psychological issues that Molly suffers are worse than the physical attacks, and they become the focus of the novel as the plot progresses. Oh, and there's lots of gory stuff about how to dismember bodies and clean up bloodstains. It's a quick read, but exactly what I wanted from a horror story.
Tor.com is giving away this novella for free in July 2019, and you shouldn't miss the chance to pick it up! Just don't read it at night (like I did).