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A review by carriepond
Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Deeply unsettling and, at times, nearly unfathomable in its grotesque violence, Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez is an epic horror masterpiece that explores an incredible range of themes-- colonialism, capitalism, inherited family trauma, and the corrupting influences of power and wealth.
The novel is divided into what I would consider four main parts, spanning nearly four decades between the 1960s and late 1990s, with most of the plot focusing on the years just before and just after Argentina’s switch from a military dictatorship to a democracy. The first part opens with what I would consider our two main protagonists, Juan and his then-six-year-old son Gaspar, on a trip to the family home of his wife, Rosario, who died unexpectedly and suspiciously. Juan is a medium for a cult called The Order, which worships a violent god they call The Darkness in hopes of being granted immortality. The Order has chapters throughout the world, including the Argentian chapter, which is controlled by Rosario's family, who basically bought Juan when he was a child. Juan has been used and abused by the family for decades, and at the beginning of the novel, we learn that Juan is trying to do everything in his power to keep Gaspar, who has started to demonstrate the same abilities, from befalling the same fate. From there, the novel moves forward in time to when Gaspar is around twelve years old, then back in time to when Juan and Rosario were teenagers and young adults, and then forward again, ending when Gaspar is around the same age-- early twenties.
This is the first I've read of Enriquez, and what an incredible introduction. This book is immense in all senses of the word-- it's more than 600 pages, it acts as an allegory in so many different respects, and each part almost acts as a different kind of horror novel. In Part I, we are introduced to this violent cult, and see first-hand The Darkness, which is a real supernatural entity that enacts violence on the cult members. Part III, which is the second major part, focuses on Gaspar and his preteen friends and their obsession with a creepy house in the neighborhood. Part IV, which takes place in London and gives us a lot more insight into the cult's history and operations, has kind of a dark academia feel to it. And then the last part ties everything together, with elements of everything that precedes it.
Enriquez weaves together so much, so expertly. The whole time I was reading, I could see all these plot threads, and I was so eager to see how they would all come together, but then there would also be plot points that I thought were done, only to have Enriquez circle back and bring something back in a way that I couldn't have imagined, which was really cool. She also covers so much ground with the themes the novel explores, political and personal. At its core, though, this novel really focused on the powerful and wealthy, and the lengths they were willing to go to maintain that power, and the vulnerable who were exploited and harmed as a result. And we also see the ways that the vulnerable also perpetuate harm and trauma on each other. Juan and Gaspar's relationship is really compelling--it's dysfunctional and traumatic in so many ways, even though Juan thinks of himself as doing whatever it takes to save Gaspar, even if that includes inflicting harm and abuse on him.
I think fans of horror and fans of literary fiction that explores themes like political violence and colonialism will find a lot to appreciate in this novel. But seriously, do some research on content warnings before reading so you can make an informed decision on whether you're up for it. Because some of what I read in this one is probably going to haunt me forever.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
The novel is divided into what I would consider four main parts, spanning nearly four decades between the 1960s and late 1990s, with most of the plot focusing on the years just before and just after Argentina’s switch from a military dictatorship to a democracy. The first part opens with what I would consider our two main protagonists, Juan and his then-six-year-old son Gaspar, on a trip to the family home of his wife, Rosario, who died unexpectedly and suspiciously. Juan is a medium for a cult called The Order, which worships a violent god they call The Darkness in hopes of being granted immortality. The Order has chapters throughout the world, including the Argentian chapter, which is controlled by Rosario's family, who basically bought Juan when he was a child. Juan has been used and abused by the family for decades, and at the beginning of the novel, we learn that Juan is trying to do everything in his power to keep Gaspar, who has started to demonstrate the same abilities, from befalling the same fate. From there, the novel moves forward in time to when Gaspar is around twelve years old, then back in time to when Juan and Rosario were teenagers and young adults, and then forward again, ending when Gaspar is around the same age-- early twenties.
This is the first I've read of Enriquez, and what an incredible introduction. This book is immense in all senses of the word-- it's more than 600 pages, it acts as an allegory in so many different respects, and each part almost acts as a different kind of horror novel. In Part I, we are introduced to this violent cult, and see first-hand The Darkness, which is a real supernatural entity that enacts violence on the cult members. Part III, which is the second major part, focuses on Gaspar and his preteen friends and their obsession with a creepy house in the neighborhood. Part IV, which takes place in London and gives us a lot more insight into the cult's history and operations, has kind of a dark academia feel to it. And then the last part ties everything together, with elements of everything that precedes it.
Enriquez weaves together so much, so expertly. The whole time I was reading, I could see all these plot threads, and I was so eager to see how they would all come together, but then there would also be plot points that I thought were done, only to have Enriquez circle back and bring something back in a way that I couldn't have imagined, which was really cool. She also covers so much ground with the themes the novel explores, political and personal. At its core, though, this novel really focused on the powerful and wealthy, and the lengths they were willing to go to maintain that power, and the vulnerable who were exploited and harmed as a result. And we also see the ways that the vulnerable also perpetuate harm and trauma on each other. Juan and Gaspar's relationship is really compelling--it's dysfunctional and traumatic in so many ways, even though Juan thinks of himself as doing whatever it takes to save Gaspar, even if that includes inflicting harm and abuse on him.
I think fans of horror and fans of literary fiction that explores themes like political violence and colonialism will find a lot to appreciate in this novel. But seriously, do some research on content warnings before reading so you can make an informed decision on whether you're up for it. Because some of what I read in this one is probably going to haunt me forever.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Rape, Police brutality, and War