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samdalefox's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This genre is right up my street. Unfortunately, this short story collection feels less compelling than others in the same arena. Van den Berg provides eerie commentary on violence against women and girls (VAWAG). She touches upon some important feminist points but the text felt disembodied from emotion, it wasn't intersectional at all, and the ideas weren't particularly advanced.
This collection provides more realistic feminist horror, it's less surreal than Kathryn Scanlan's 'The Dominant Animal' and more heteronormative than Carmen Maria Machado's 'Her body and other parties'. Not for me, but a good entry point for people new to the feminist movement looking for an entry point into reflective horror.
My score is an average taken of the individual rating.
*The ones with an asterisks by them are my favourites.
Last night 2/5
Slumberland 4/5* (loved the sub-story of the protagonist's neighbour's unsettling job)
Hill of hell 2/5
Cult of Mary 3/5
Lizards 3.5/5* (unsettling commentary of control and rape culture from a man's POV)
The pitch 2.5/5
Volcano house 2/5
Friends 3/5* (an unsettling story about female friendship!)
Karolina 3/5
Your second wife 2.5/5
I hold a Wolf by the ears 1/5
Average score = 2.5
This collection provides more realistic feminist horror, it's less surreal than Kathryn Scanlan's 'The Dominant Animal' and more heteronormative than Carmen Maria Machado's 'Her body and other parties'. Not for me, but a good entry point for people new to the feminist movement looking for an entry point into reflective horror.
My score is an average taken of the individual rating.
*The ones with an asterisks by them are my favourites.
Last night 2/5
Slumberland 4/5* (loved the sub-story of the protagonist's neighbour's unsettling job)
Hill of hell 2/5
Cult of Mary 3/5
Lizards 3.5/5* (unsettling commentary of control and rape culture from a man's POV)
The pitch 2.5/5
Volcano house 2/5
Friends 3/5* (an unsettling story about female friendship!)
Karolina 3/5
Your second wife 2.5/5
I hold a Wolf by the ears 1/5
Average score = 2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Death, Child death, and Self harm
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