A review by selendrea
The Haar by David Sodergren

dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

It's odd to say that The Haar is a "cute" book, but it's true - Muriel and her relationship with Avalon are frankly adorable and heartwarming, despite the gore and body horror throughout the novel! I think Sodergren did a wonderful job juxtaposing the more emotional elements of grief, fear of change, and healthy long-term relationships with bloody elements.

While nearly a perfect book, I think The Haar has a large flaw. The main antagonists are so incredibly cartoonish, and they all speak the exact same way. I understand that Sodergren's goal is to make us root against their downfall, but I wish they were significantly more nuanced and subtle.

Otherwise, this novel is just a fun read, and I highly recommend it for lovers of horror that touches on more heartfelt topics!
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