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A review by annamickreads
The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker
5.0
I am really fond of stories about messy family dynamics, especially within the confines of certain class structures - this book in that way reminded me a LOT of "The Virgin Suicides" and "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" if you loved those, especially the sisterly dynamics and the loneliness they shared.
This book definitely includes many elements of gothic horror: high emotion, hysterical women, supernatural elements (especially visions), fear of a controlling male figure (in this case, their father and their eventual husbands). The home is a central figure in the story as well. I think a lot of people argue against the category of 'gothic HORROR' because the "horror" elements themselves aren't overwhelming or all-consuming - there are ghosts and the suggestion of a curse, but no skeletons in closets, mystery blood streaming from the walls, or vampires preying on the weak.
While I was surprised that the family connection to the guns, especially with the inspiration behind this book being the Winchester Mystery House, wasn't somehow even more of a focal point, I also could appreciate how Sarai Walker made the story her own. The book is very slow, but once it picks up, it picks up to a decent pace.
It took me a while to sit with and read this book but I'm glad I did. Excited to see what Sarai Walker does next!
This book definitely includes many elements of gothic horror: high emotion, hysterical women, supernatural elements (especially visions), fear of a controlling male figure (in this case, their father and their eventual husbands). The home is a central figure in the story as well. I think a lot of people argue against the category of 'gothic HORROR' because the "horror" elements themselves aren't overwhelming or all-consuming - there are ghosts and the suggestion of a curse, but no skeletons in closets, mystery blood streaming from the walls, or vampires preying on the weak.
While I was surprised that the family connection to the guns, especially with the inspiration behind this book being the Winchester Mystery House, wasn't somehow even more of a focal point, I also could appreciate how Sarai Walker made the story her own. The book is very slow, but once it picks up, it picks up to a decent pace.
It took me a while to sit with and read this book but I'm glad I did. Excited to see what Sarai Walker does next!