My all-time favorite book is In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt. I read it last year, and I still can't get it out of my head. I'm looking for something that can fill that void. Here are some elements I love:
- Gothic, folklore, or fairytale-inspired themes with a dark, and bleak tone.
- Strong sapphic and feminist perspectives, deeply woven into the narrative.
- A small cast of mostly female characters, with an intimate, claustrophobic energy and setting.
- A focus on atmosphere and character dynamics over a complex plot.
- Mildly surreal or difficult-to-interpret elements, I don't mind ambiguity or dreamlike occurrences.
- Subtle supernatural or witchy elements, as long as they aren’t the main focus and remain unexplained.
- Lyrical prose used to evoke emotion and atmosphere, rather than excessive visual description.
- Minimal character development, or development that isn’t positive. I don’t want a redemption arc or a transformation for the better.
If any books come to mind that fit this, I’d love to hear your recommendations!
by _SharkQueen_