jacksons_books_and_music 's review for:

My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I saw this book promoted as “a lesbian Crimson Peak” and I was sold! I was not disappointed!

The book takes place in the 1950s in the Netherlands. The dual timeline is effectual in its structure, going back and forth between the main character in sessions with a psychiatrist and the actual events of the story, providing intrigue and foreboding.

The book is visceral, bloody, grotesque, and an excellent gothic read. The audiobook narrator, Jess Nesling, gives a wonderful performance! If sapphic gothic horror is your thing, this book is for you!

I look forward to reading more from this author!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism

Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Infertility, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Colonisation

The love interest is an Indonesian woman whose sister-in-law is racist towards her. The racism is condemned by the main character and the narrative.