I just discovered Dan Chaon earlier this year and was so excited to find he had a new book coming out in 2025. I just finished One of Us today and would love to discuss. It was a 5/5 for me and I was shocked to see at only 3.7 on Goodreads so far.
I really enjoyed the way the supernatural realm and the astral planes and the world between life and death was portrayed.
But I felt really bad for Bolt throughout the whole book, it broke my heart that he never really got to be himself outside of his relationship with his sister. He seemed like such a pure, sweet soul and found a beautiful sense of belonging with the Jenglings. I guess he ultimately would have become all fucked up from the seances with Rosalie but it’s sad he never got a chance to live independently from his sister.
I was also sad for Eleanor, that only in death did she realize that she thought the worst of people for no reason and that she died friendless.
Uncle Charlie was an absolute lunatic. He was so crazy and unpredictable, I hated him but was very entertained by him. The scenes involving him were just a joy to read. His eccentric turn of the century lingo and the way he justified all his insane behavior and crimes… what a character.
by charcuterie_bored