Reinventing Jane

 

The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling

My rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

This is the kind of book where you wonder what the heck you're reading. If you don't like those kinds of books, don't read this one. If you like books where the book is a journey as much inside of the character's mind as they are about plot progression, you might like this one. I really enjoy gothic horror, so that's why I picked this up. It definitely has a gothic feel. I feel like the focus on the house really nails that, and the atmosphere the author built was so effective. But is this predictable in any way? No. It was completely unlike what I expected. For some reason, I was thinking it was going in previously tread paths of classic gothic books I've read. No, it's not at all. It's hard to say what the book is about without spoiling the experience. Honestly, I'm not sure I can explain it.

While this is far from the best book I've ever read, and there was more than one moment when I asked myself why I was still reading, I got to a point where I didn't want to put it down because I felt I had gone too far to abandon the journey. Also I became emotionally attached to Jane. She went through so much in this book, and her refusal to give up on the important goal she held made me not want to give up on the story.

I'd give it an A for atmosphere. However, I think other than Jane, the characterization is a little thin, so probably more like a B- in that area. I feel that other characters seem like game pieces that are moved around, and are in service of Jane's journey of self-discovery. The concept is really high, but I do question how well it's executed, so that gets me into a dither of how to rate this novel. I feel that as a reader, being treated to something different, and being taken on a journey is something I definitely appreciate. Lastly, was my level of overall satisfaction to consider. The narrator was good, but her way of telling the story was a bit dry. There are parts that are pretty eerie, but I think with a different delivery, I feel they could have been more scary than the were. I was so glad to finish the book because I felt worn out by trying to figure out what was going on, so that's probably not ideal I feel like you should enjoy a book and be kind of sad when it's over. Having said that, I was satisfied with the ending, and I feel rewarded that I did finish the book. So, you can see why I had trouble rating this. Ultimately, this comes down to a 3.75 star rating for me. Despite my misgivings about pacing and characterization, I really appreciate what Starling accomplished here. It takes a gothic set piece to a different arena and explores the dimensions of what a gothic horror novel can deliver.

Trigger Warnings: Body horror, medical/surgical procedure descriptions

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True Crime

The Southern Bookclub's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

My Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

I have been hearing good things about this book for going on a year, and I made a note to read it. I had it on hold at my library for a while. I was thrilled that the audiobook became available in time for my annual October Scare Fest. Let me tell you, it was worth the read. I lived in Texas for a long time, so I am acquainted with the South. Also my mother and father's families are from the South. Growing up in Illinois, we always went "Down South" to visit relatives for vacations. While I am African American and the majority of the lead characters are not, these women felt very familiar to me. At times, it's hard to believe the author is male. He did a very good job of writing from the viewpoint of women and showing the authenticity of what it's like to be married to men who have compartmentalized their wives into very small boxes, and the ways in which these women compromise on a lot to fit into those pre-defined roles.

I think this book is a very layered story. It's a vampire story, obviously, but it also feels like a thriller as well as women's fiction. I really dislike women's fiction for the most part, but that part of the story really spoke to me. Maybe it's because I've gotten to the point as a reader that characterization is the major focus for me as a reader. I love a good action-packed, plot driven story, but if I don't care about the characters, if I don't know them or see their motivations or their journey, I don't get invested in this story. With this novel, we spend about ten years with the characters, and you get to know them so well, they feel like real people, good and bad.

Our main viewpoint is Patricia, a woman with pre-teen (maybe a little younger) children when this story begins. Patricia was a nurse who gave up her career to marry and have a family. That part of her is still an ember inside, and she feels unactualized to some degree in her current role. When the Not Quite a Bookclub comes into her life, a door opens. That's shortly before a dark force also comes into her world and brings destruction with it. Patricia finds herself in a situation that challenges her in a way she's never experienced before.

I liked Patricia a lot. Sometimes she did frustrate me and make me want to pull my hair out. But she gained my loyalty as she is a kind, decent person, who underestimates just how capable she is. While Patricia is entrenched into a world underpinned by white male patriarchy and supremacy, she has not given up her moral compass or her desire to in some way be more than that. When forced to conform, it takes something truly tragic to almost break her. But she finds she was never broken deep down. She is driven the powerful force of love.

As far as her friends, I liked them mostly, but at the same time, I did give them the side-eye as they come off as very self-serving in many ways. Their entire focus is on their family and their lives. They don't look too much outside of that and how others are suffering while they maintain their own lives. It reminded me a lot of the 2016 election. A lot of other things did too. I don't want that to take over this review, so I'll keep most of those thoughts out of this review. I may do a post on my reading blog to go more into that. Ultimately, her book club friends really show their solidarity at the crucial moment, and Patricia gains an unlikely comrade who encourages her to think outside of her own narrow experiences. It's really harrowing to think of these seemingly frail women taking on the threat they face.

Now to the supernatural aspects. Hendrix did something quite interesting here. This reads mostly as a natural story, and when the supernatural rears its head, it's enough to make your hair stand on end. There are moments that are really chilling in this book. The narrator reads so well, and builds tension beautifully. At times I had to pause the book because the tension got so high and I literally couldn't stand it and didn't feel prepared for what was next. Even though Patricia didn't quite know what was going on, she is really brave for all that. I can't believe some of the situations she's in this book and that despite all the obstacles, she was able to maintain her sanity. I honestly don't know how she got out of bed after some of these events.

The book reminded me a bit of Fright Night if it was from the perspective of a matron instead of a teenaged boy. But, it's also really distinct feeling. The time and place is so thoughtful and intricately developed. Anyone who has spent time in the South will feel familiarity as they read.

The villain is and will always be a timely one. The book touches on the way that evil can insinuate itself into the world with a smiling face and lots of money and power. It entrenches itself and plants roots to the degree that others feel they cannot divorce themselves from it, without losing everything. And it's most often the outsiders that see the truth and are able to sound the alarm. Again, reminded me of the past several years in the United States political sphere.

Wow, I am rambling with this review. I can't say this book is like any other that I've read. It felt different and in some ways, I was a little exhausted when it ended, because so much happens, and the sustained threat was a lot to deal with. The enormity of the evil that was being faced, but also how mundane it might have seemed on the surface. Oh my gosh, there are some creepy crawling scenes that really got under my skin, along with the fact that the villain preys on the most helpless of people. It's a lot to deal with. There are great humorous moments, but by the end, there is so much emotional weight to the story that it's not quite as funny. But at that point, it's not supposed to be.

I can't quite give this five stars, because there were a few things I wasn't quite fully satisfied, but it's pretty close. I'd give it 4.5 stars easily. I hope to read more from this author.

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