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Dead Animals
There is something creeping at the edge of your vision, lingering somewhere just out of focus. All it would take is to let your mind wander, to let it come into view.
A young woman wakes after a house party with scratches and bruises - and a gap in her memory.
As the violent truth comes back to her - a series of events she struggles to name - her anger grows.
Solace comes in the form of enigmatic, captivating Helene, who knows what the man at the party did, has suffered at his hands too. An act of violence demands one in return and Helene is planning revenge.
But who can afford to ask for justice, when the cost is murderously high?
A young woman wakes after a house party with scratches and bruises - and a gap in her memory.
As the violent truth comes back to her - a series of events she struggles to name - her anger grows.
Solace comes in the form of enigmatic, captivating Helene, who knows what the man at the party did, has suffered at his hands too. An act of violence demands one in return and Helene is planning revenge.
But who can afford to ask for justice, when the cost is murderously high?
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
March 2, 2024
This is a deliciously creepy and enigmatic story that merges sexual trauma with something spine-tinglingly weird - I loved the way the two strands are held together via the concept of haunting.
Set against a young woman's alienated malaise compounded by a precarious existence as a zero hours waitress and living in a tiny bedsit, this feels absolutely contemporary. I seem to have read a handful of books recently that deal with the individual elements: non-consent, sexual violence, female contemporary alienation, psychological illness manifesting in the body, coercive relationships, female rage - and this one manages to give them all a shake-up and then pull them back together in a single narrative.
The 'light-hearted' bullying endured by our vegetarian narrator in the upmarket offal restaurant where she works is part of the atmosphere, as are the classic 'haunted' signs: shadows in the mirror, light bulbs popping, strange noises - and the way they indicate psychic stress as well as a possible strange kind of agency. And the characterisation of Helena, a new friend, lover and would-be saviour is genius: allusions to , perhaps?
I've seen reservations about the writing style but listening to this in audio worked superbly for me: Anna Burnett's muted voice conveys exactly the right deadened/dead pan voice I needed from this narrator without making the listening itself dull. The contrast between the happenings described by the narrator and the matter of fact way she tells them is exactly the space I needed for this book to work - and I had genuine shivers at various points!
Keeping the story compact and short works well as I read it in pretty much one sitting allowing all the threads to come together. Wonderfully poised between classic spookiness and the modern horrors of precarious lives, sexual violence, power differentials and toxicity, this was absolutely the right book at the right time for me.
Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton Audio for an audio book via NetGalley
Set against a young woman's alienated malaise compounded by a precarious existence as a zero hours waitress and living in a tiny bedsit, this feels absolutely contemporary. I seem to have read a handful of books recently that deal with the individual elements: non-consent, sexual violence, female contemporary alienation, psychological illness manifesting in the body, coercive relationships, female rage - and this one manages to give them all a shake-up and then pull them back together in a single narrative.
The 'light-hearted' bullying endured by our vegetarian narrator in the upmarket offal restaurant where she works is part of the atmosphere, as are the classic 'haunted' signs: shadows in the mirror, light bulbs popping, strange noises - and the way they indicate psychic stress as well as a possible strange kind of agency. And the characterisation of Helena, a new friend, lover and would-be saviour is genius: allusions to , perhaps?
I've seen reservations about the writing style but listening to this in audio worked superbly for me: Anna Burnett's muted voice conveys exactly the right deadened/dead pan voice I needed from this narrator without making the listening itself dull. The contrast between the happenings described by the narrator and the matter of fact way she tells them is exactly the space I needed for this book to work - and I had genuine shivers at various points!
Keeping the story compact and short works well as I read it in pretty much one sitting allowing all the threads to come together. Wonderfully poised between classic spookiness and the modern horrors of precarious lives, sexual violence, power differentials and toxicity, this was absolutely the right book at the right time for me.
Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton Audio for an audio book via NetGalley
April 24, 2024
I was really drawn to this-- that intriguing title, the striking cover, the premise --but I'm afraid it just didn't live up to my expectations.
The characters were entirely one-dimensional. The unnamed protagonist has no personality of her own, and Helene, who she becomes obsessed with, is equally forgettable. I do understand why this is-- because this is a book solely about sexual assault trauma which envelops her entire being --but I'm not sure it works. I personally find it very difficult to sink into books where the characters feel this flat.
Also, I was turned off from the beginning by the writing style. I'm not so obsessed with grammar that I can't tolerate the occasional comma splice, but they are used so frequently here it just comes off as poor writing. It made sense in sentences where it conveyed urgency or disorientation; other times it was needlessly jarring.
Similarly, expressions like "my side was cold to the touch like a side of salmon" and "staring at [the package] like it was my opponent in a game of chess" came across awkward and overwritten to me.
There's much in the way of words, but not all that much being said in this book. I found that the protagonist thought the same thing over and over again just in different ways. Which is not great when the whole book is only 144 pages.
The characters were entirely one-dimensional. The unnamed protagonist has no personality of her own, and Helene, who she becomes obsessed with, is equally forgettable. I do understand why this is-- because this is a book solely about sexual assault trauma which envelops her entire being --but I'm not sure it works. I personally find it very difficult to sink into books where the characters feel this flat.
Also, I was turned off from the beginning by the writing style. I'm not so obsessed with grammar that I can't tolerate the occasional comma splice, but they are used so frequently here it just comes off as poor writing. It made sense in sentences where it conveyed urgency or disorientation; other times it was needlessly jarring.
Similarly, expressions like "my side was cold to the touch like a side of salmon" and "staring at [the package] like it was my opponent in a game of chess" came across awkward and overwritten to me.
There's much in the way of words, but not all that much being said in this book. I found that the protagonist thought the same thing over and over again just in different ways. Which is not great when the whole book is only 144 pages.
March 24, 2024
Dead Animals is the story of a young woman (unnamed) who wakes up following a house party with no memory of the night before, but her body is covered in bruises and scratches. The reader follows her journey as she tries to piece all the events of the night back together. Eventually, the violent truth comes back to her and she remembers little by little the abuse she experienced at the hands of a man. The protagonist is then introduced to Helene, who also happens to have faced very similar experiences during her relationship with the same man in question. As the protagonist tries to navigate her life and her new relationship with Helene, as they are both coming to terms with the anger they’re experiencing as a result of the violence and emotional torture the man brought upon them, it’s evident that an act of violence demands one in return. Helene wants to seek revenge, however the protagonist is too caught up in a series of nightmares and fear. Who can afford to ask for justice?
Dead Animals is a short read which I managed to finish in a couple of sittings. One of my favourite things about the novel is how much content there is to unpack. I’ve found myself on more than one occasion since finishing the novel, sat, contemplating what I have just read. The novel does not provide any answers to the growing dread you feel whilst reading the novel, or for the weird occurrences that begin to multiply, but you are certainly provided with something to contemplate about.
Stuckes’ tone is sharp and raw, and it doesn’t shy away from anything. There’s no denying that the book is so beautifully written and I found that as the story sets the scene, it refuses to let you go until you’ve read the final page of the devastating epilogue. The writing style is different to the books I have been reading most recently, however I think it really suited the mood of the novel and was complimentary to the genre and the themes that are discussed within. I am still unsure as to whether the absence of chapters was intentional, but it did add more depth to the protagonist’s story, resembling that there are no breaks in the trauma she’s surviving through, it has completely consumed every last part of her body.
A part of me feels saddened to know the extent of people that will be able to relate to this novel and how collective the experiences are within today’s society. I am certain that as people are reading the novel, they’ll find familiarity and be able to relate to the character’s emotions and behaviour, including the deadly feeling of dread, heightened levels of fear, as well as the seizing up of one’s body. However, there lies the pure beauty and sheer intelligence of the story. A novel which in a lot of instances is challenging to describe and to put in to words, yet Stuckes’ has managed to achieve this in the most haunting yet beautiful of ways.
The only criticism I have is that the ending of the novel felt rushed. It could have been played out a lot more. I would have loved to have seen the events that unfolded between Helene and their abuser in the moments which lead up to the epilogue. But overall, I really enjoyed the journey this novel has taken me on and and I’d love to read more from the author, and to delve further into their dark mind with the stories of this genre. For a very short story, the novel certainly knows how to pack a punch.
If you are an unhinged Ottessa Moshfegh girlie, you will love this book. It definitely has a similar feel to Eileen in terms of its voice, but Dead Animals delves deeper into the unsettling spookiness.
* Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and Phoebe Stuckes for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review *
Dead Animals is a short read which I managed to finish in a couple of sittings. One of my favourite things about the novel is how much content there is to unpack. I’ve found myself on more than one occasion since finishing the novel, sat, contemplating what I have just read. The novel does not provide any answers to the growing dread you feel whilst reading the novel, or for the weird occurrences that begin to multiply, but you are certainly provided with something to contemplate about.
Stuckes’ tone is sharp and raw, and it doesn’t shy away from anything. There’s no denying that the book is so beautifully written and I found that as the story sets the scene, it refuses to let you go until you’ve read the final page of the devastating epilogue. The writing style is different to the books I have been reading most recently, however I think it really suited the mood of the novel and was complimentary to the genre and the themes that are discussed within. I am still unsure as to whether the absence of chapters was intentional, but it did add more depth to the protagonist’s story, resembling that there are no breaks in the trauma she’s surviving through, it has completely consumed every last part of her body.
A part of me feels saddened to know the extent of people that will be able to relate to this novel and how collective the experiences are within today’s society. I am certain that as people are reading the novel, they’ll find familiarity and be able to relate to the character’s emotions and behaviour, including the deadly feeling of dread, heightened levels of fear, as well as the seizing up of one’s body. However, there lies the pure beauty and sheer intelligence of the story. A novel which in a lot of instances is challenging to describe and to put in to words, yet Stuckes’ has managed to achieve this in the most haunting yet beautiful of ways.
The only criticism I have is that the ending of the novel felt rushed. It could have been played out a lot more. I would have loved to have seen the events that unfolded between Helene and their abuser in the moments which lead up to the epilogue. But overall, I really enjoyed the journey this novel has taken me on and and I’d love to read more from the author, and to delve further into their dark mind with the stories of this genre. For a very short story, the novel certainly knows how to pack a punch.
If you are an unhinged Ottessa Moshfegh girlie, you will love this book. It definitely has a similar feel to Eileen in terms of its voice, but Dead Animals delves deeper into the unsettling spookiness.
* Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and Phoebe Stuckes for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review *
December 26, 2023
very Eileen coded - I loved it
March 14, 2024
This kept me intrigued until the end. It is the story of a young woman living alone in London. She is a waitress struggling to make ends meet and also struggling psychologically. Until she meets the pretty and rich Helene, who is clearly manipulating her and plotting something sinister.
I like it when one single sentence colours the entire book and this is what happens here when Helene makes a certain remark to the main character.
There is tension and an eerie atmosphere that reminded me somewhat of Ottessa Moshfegh, but also Sisters by Daisy Johnson.
Thanks to Netgalley for the audio-ARC - the narrator fit the story perfectly!
I like it when one single sentence colours the entire book and this is what happens here when Helene makes a certain remark to the main character.
There is tension and an eerie atmosphere that reminded me somewhat of Ottessa Moshfegh, but also Sisters by Daisy Johnson.
Thanks to Netgalley for the audio-ARC - the narrator fit the story perfectly!
March 25, 2024
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Anna Burnett
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
A young woman wakes up the morning after a party covered in bruises and scratches. She doesn't remember what happened. As we follow her story after that morning, the puzzle slowly comes together piece by piece. She later meets Helene, who seems perfect in every sense.
Short novel, only 4 hours 40 minutes in audiobook form. Although weird and creepy, Dead Animals is an excellent novel.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
A young woman wakes up the morning after a party covered in bruises and scratches. She doesn't remember what happened. As we follow her story after that morning, the puzzle slowly comes together piece by piece. She later meets Helene, who seems perfect in every sense.
Short novel, only 4 hours 40 minutes in audiobook form. Although weird and creepy, Dead Animals is an excellent novel.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
March 11, 2024
Initially drawn in by the captivating cover, a delightful mix of pink and green, I'm confident this book will rank among my top reads of 2024. The depiction of trauma, inner turmoil, and grief after experiencing a sexual assault is masterfully written, allowing me to truly feel the main character's pain. Without hesitation, I'll be purchasing this book as soon as it's available.
It's giving Eileen vibes. The Moshfegh girlies will connect with this book.
It's giving Eileen vibes. The Moshfegh girlies will connect with this book.
March 12, 2024
> ARC review: Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the audio advanced copy.
Dead Animals is the story of a woman that wakes up after a night at a party with very few memories and a lot of bruises on her body. We follow her journey as she remembers little by little the abuse she went through at the hands of a man.
She meets the mysterious Helene who suffered something similar through her relationship with the same man our main character met at the party.
Through the entire story, the atmosphere is quite dark as we follow the main character's thoughts. She tries to navigate her life and her new relationship with Helene as they both deal with anger from the violence the man brought upon them. Helene clearly seeks revenge, while the main character is pledged by nightmares and fear.
As this book is written in the first person, the narrator in the audiobook does a fantastic job at making the main character feel alive. Which also made it hard to pause as I wanted to know the development of this story very badly.
Dead Animals is the story of a woman that wakes up after a night at a party with very few memories and a lot of bruises on her body. We follow her journey as she remembers little by little the abuse she went through at the hands of a man.
She meets the mysterious Helene who suffered something similar through her relationship with the same man our main character met at the party.
Through the entire story, the atmosphere is quite dark as we follow the main character's thoughts. She tries to navigate her life and her new relationship with Helene as they both deal with anger from the violence the man brought upon them. Helene clearly seeks revenge, while the main character is pledged by nightmares and fear.
As this book is written in the first person, the narrator in the audiobook does a fantastic job at making the main character feel alive. Which also made it hard to pause as I wanted to know the development of this story very badly.
April 9, 2024
Difficult to read at times, but intriguing and creepy story about trauma and violence. The ending felt rushed and a bit predictable though.
Thank you Sceptre and Netgalley for the ARC.
Thank you Sceptre and Netgalley for the ARC.
May 11, 2024
Don’t get me wrong I read this in an afternoon and couldn’t put it down, but I just needed so much more from it. Very interesting themes to pick apart around sexual violence, violence against women, and the trauma and rage that manifests after, but sadly I was just left going “….okay, then?”
April 7, 2024
Enjoyed this book, really liked the writing style and I was drawn in, excited to see how it would all come to a conclusion. This easily could have been a 5 star book for me but unfortunately the story left many questions unanswered - the sign of a lazy author.
March 19, 2024
Weird, wonderful, mesmerising story of SA (so triggers!) and the aftermath and the intoxicating queer relationship that follows the incident and the weirdness that then ensues. So hard to describe but a brilliant mind f***
{AD: thanks to netgalley for an advanced listener arc}
{AD: thanks to netgalley for an advanced listener arc}
April 25, 2024
Stuckes' premise, on the surface, is structurally sound. The cover adds to the intrigue presented by the description. We follow an unreliable narrator through her unusual life. At times, we aren't sure if we are being told everything.
However, the story as a whole fell flat for me. The characters were so one-dimensional that I found it difficult to care about them. Stuckes' writing reads as more Young Adult than the Adult book advertised. Additionally, there were far too many comma splices, making the book feel slightly amateurish. Many of the sentences could have been rewritten to become beautifully striking.
When the character was expressing her thoughts, they would often be in italics, but Stuckes has chosen to include "I thought to myself," making the sentence thoroughly redundant. This book needs to be gone over with an editor to shape up the technical aspects. Furthermore, we begin the book in second person, which comes across as a mistake for we then end up in first-person perspective for the rest of the novel.
On the other hand, there were some rare gems in sentences such as, "Customers are a screaming hydra of need." Though this isn't enough to save the book for me, and that is why I have rated it as low as I have. I understand what the author was trying to achieve, but it did not land. If this book had been a short story, it could have been spectacular.
However, the story as a whole fell flat for me. The characters were so one-dimensional that I found it difficult to care about them. Stuckes' writing reads as more Young Adult than the Adult book advertised. Additionally, there were far too many comma splices, making the book feel slightly amateurish. Many of the sentences could have been rewritten to become beautifully striking.
When the character was expressing her thoughts, they would often be in italics, but Stuckes has chosen to include "I thought to myself," making the sentence thoroughly redundant. This book needs to be gone over with an editor to shape up the technical aspects. Furthermore, we begin the book in second person, which comes across as a mistake for we then end up in first-person perspective for the rest of the novel.
On the other hand, there were some rare gems in sentences such as, "Customers are a screaming hydra of need." Though this isn't enough to save the book for me, and that is why I have rated it as low as I have. I understand what the author was trying to achieve, but it did not land. If this book had been a short story, it could have been spectacular.
April 21, 2024
This book was one of the free copies I picked up at the Sceptre Salon after hearing the author read a paragraph, because I was intrigued. But unfortunately, it turned out to be a book that only sounds interesting in its excerpts. The language is highly accessible and an average level of dark - the same tone as Ottessa Moshfegh but not nearly as good. Additionally, the writing style is jarring. There are too many comma breaks and it is often repetitive - not the best attribute for a novella which is already very short. There’s only so much indulgence you can extend to sentences like “my side was cold to the touch like a side of salmon”. No, it’s not poetic, and yes, it needs better editing.
I won’t deny - I read it in two sittings. But not because I was so engaged but due to its accessibility and length. It is about a woman who experiences sexual violence and you’re made aware of her suffering from the first page. It reminded me of Leila Slimani’s style of writing in Lullaby. The big difference, however, is that Louise in Lullaby is a very well-sketched character unlike this book’s protagonist which is one-dimensional and uninteresting. We are told of her suffering but we don’t feel what she feels because she isn’t developed via motivations but through empty words that propel the story forward. There is no investigation into her emotions, coping mechanisms, and themes like trauma, sexual violence, bullying and revenge are introduced only to be dealt with inadequately, and left midway, completely forgotten and half-baked. It is a queer story but it sometimes feels tokenistic. And that’s not even the worst - what the hell are the supernatural elements interwoven in the story? Even if they’re psychological consequences of the un-named protagonist’s trauma, why are they so cliched and why are they not discussed more within that light? I swear to god - psychics, spirits, moulding in the shape of an open mouth, and a person looking over at you in the mirror are not original, and neither have they been entertaining since the early 2000s.
I won’t deny - I read it in two sittings. But not because I was so engaged but due to its accessibility and length. It is about a woman who experiences sexual violence and you’re made aware of her suffering from the first page. It reminded me of Leila Slimani’s style of writing in Lullaby. The big difference, however, is that Louise in Lullaby is a very well-sketched character unlike this book’s protagonist which is one-dimensional and uninteresting. We are told of her suffering but we don’t feel what she feels because she isn’t developed via motivations but through empty words that propel the story forward. There is no investigation into her emotions, coping mechanisms, and themes like trauma, sexual violence, bullying and revenge are introduced only to be dealt with inadequately, and left midway, completely forgotten and half-baked. It is a queer story but it sometimes feels tokenistic. And that’s not even the worst - what the hell are the supernatural elements interwoven in the story? Even if they’re psychological consequences of the un-named protagonist’s trauma, why are they so cliched and why are they not discussed more within that light? I swear to god - psychics, spirits, moulding in the shape of an open mouth, and a person looking over at you in the mirror are not original, and neither have they been entertaining since the early 2000s.
January 2, 2024
A women wakes up after a house party with scratches and bruises and a gap in her memory. Piece by piece the evening starts coming back to her and her anger flares.
Then she meets Helene, who knows what the man did to her and wants vengeance for both her and Helene.
This story is short yet dark, gripping, odd and thrilling. I was surprised that despite the shortness of the book, I felt like I got enough. Would I have wanted more? Yes but I'm happy with what this story covers in the short amount of time.
At first, I was confused by the lack of chapters, the jumping between scenes but this being a poets debut novel, it made sense why it was written in this format. I've also realised now that I've come to write the review, I have no idea what the main characters name is, I have flipped through the book trying to pin it now and all I find is avoidance of her name being mentioned which I find a clever twist to add in (unless it is in there and I just can't find it)
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey this book took me on and I'd love to read more from this author to delve further into their dark mind with stories of this genre.
Then she meets Helene, who knows what the man did to her and wants vengeance for both her and Helene.
This story is short yet dark, gripping, odd and thrilling. I was surprised that despite the shortness of the book, I felt like I got enough. Would I have wanted more? Yes but I'm happy with what this story covers in the short amount of time.
At first, I was confused by the lack of chapters, the jumping between scenes but this being a poets debut novel, it made sense why it was written in this format. I've also realised now that I've come to write the review, I have no idea what the main characters name is, I have flipped through the book trying to pin it now and all I find is avoidance of her name being mentioned which I find a clever twist to add in (unless it is in there and I just can't find it)
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey this book took me on and I'd love to read more from this author to delve further into their dark mind with stories of this genre.
March 4, 2024
I was drawn to this book but the bright and striking front cover - but had absolutely no idea what it was about, what genre it was nor what to expect from this at all!
This was only a short book (about 4hours on audio) but it packed in so, so much and had me completely glued to it - I even planned my day around it so that I could liaten to it in its entirety in one sitting!
At first, I thought it was just going to be a book about revenge - but there was also some romance, some thriller and some paranormal thrown in there too.
I was really wondering at one point whether we were dealing with humans or not!!....pretty weird and creeped out for a brief section! - loved it!!
I loved the way that our anonymous main character contrasted so bluntly with Helene. Both having, seemingly, gone through the same trauma, but both with very different reactions to these events. Our MC being haunted by the memory (and lack of) wheas Helene seemed to be revelling in the details.
Our MC was obviously easily manipulated by Helene and it seemed an odd outcome to the original meeting - but this plays out beautifully over the course of the story and the ending explains all.
The writing style was a little different to that which I've been reading recently but it really suited the mood of the book and complimented the genre(s)/themes within.
A great little quick read!
This was only a short book (about 4hours on audio) but it packed in so, so much and had me completely glued to it - I even planned my day around it so that I could liaten to it in its entirety in one sitting!
At first, I thought it was just going to be a book about revenge - but there was also some romance, some thriller and some paranormal thrown in there too.
I was really wondering at one point whether we were dealing with humans or not!!....pretty weird and creeped out for a brief section! - loved it!!
I loved the way that our anonymous main character contrasted so bluntly with Helene. Both having, seemingly, gone through the same trauma, but both with very different reactions to these events. Our MC being haunted by the memory (and lack of) wheas Helene seemed to be revelling in the details.
Our MC was obviously easily manipulated by Helene and it seemed an odd outcome to the original meeting - but this plays out beautifully over the course of the story and the ending explains all.
The writing style was a little different to that which I've been reading recently but it really suited the mood of the book and complimented the genre(s)/themes within.
A great little quick read!
March 29, 2024
This was a bit too slow, subtle, and ambiguous for me. After 50% it becomes more obvious and what is actually happening to the FMC, but it’s not until the epilogue where you actually learn anything concrete. I really don’t like stories like this.
Narrator was great however.
Narrator was great however.
March 18, 2024
Written through a series of short, staccato style vignettes, Dead Animals is a feverish -almost fantastical, written novella, that -although does well to evoke a slowly creeping, eerily infused atmosphere, sadly falls short (aka underwhelms) in its overall execution.
3 (too short to make any “greater” impact) stars
PS ~ thanks to the publishers for sending me a copy !
3 (too short to make any “greater” impact) stars
PS ~ thanks to the publishers for sending me a copy !
September 16, 2024
Heart in my mouth the whole way. Incredible. Needs a US publisher asap
April 5, 2024
Dead Animals by Phoebe Stuckes is a claustrophobic exploration of regressing into yourself in the aftermath of a violation. Being such a short book, there was minimal filler, and the plot moved quickly, allowing us to follow our nameless main character through her story.
There are many of its type, so I don’t feel this book offers anything particularly new on its topic, especially with the MC exhibiting signs of being haunted as a response to her trauma. I enjoyed the effortless prose and found the plot as a whole effective, particularly the elements of the main character’s vegetarianism being ignored and mocked by the chefs in the restaurant she works in, who hide animal fat in her food and force her into consuming meat. I think this was a really powerful tool to highlight the blatant disregard of a person’s overt preferences and desires, despite the instigator being very much aware of them, drawing comparisons to the assault.
Although the MC was quite unassuming, I think this worked very well to consolidate her personality. She is existing in the monotony of her daily life after her personal life has shifted, resulting in her being a shell of a person who tends to view herself from the outside of her body. This felt integral to building her identity at this point in her life.
There were times I felt a little lost, as the story became more abstract around halfway through and everything moved too fast for me to keep up with. Things become a lot clearer in the epilogue when everything is explained, as though the haze has been lifted and we are back in reality. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I also wasn’t a fan of the way the relationship between the MC and Helene progressed, hoping for more of a rich girl with a savior-complex than an abusive power-imbalance.
It’s already been mentioned, but this felt reminiscent of Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh, and it also made me think of All’s Well/Bunny by Mona Awad at times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the free audio in exchange for an honest review.
There are many of its type, so I don’t feel this book offers anything particularly new on its topic, especially with the MC exhibiting signs of being haunted as a response to her trauma. I enjoyed the effortless prose and found the plot as a whole effective, particularly the elements of the main character’s vegetarianism being ignored and mocked by the chefs in the restaurant she works in, who hide animal fat in her food and force her into consuming meat. I think this was a really powerful tool to highlight the blatant disregard of a person’s overt preferences and desires, despite the instigator being very much aware of them, drawing comparisons to the assault.
Although the MC was quite unassuming, I think this worked very well to consolidate her personality. She is existing in the monotony of her daily life after her personal life has shifted, resulting in her being a shell of a person who tends to view herself from the outside of her body. This felt integral to building her identity at this point in her life.
There were times I felt a little lost, as the story became more abstract around halfway through and everything moved too fast for me to keep up with. Things become a lot clearer in the epilogue when everything is explained, as though the haze has been lifted and we are back in reality. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I also wasn’t a fan of the way the relationship between the MC and Helene progressed, hoping for more of a rich girl with a savior-complex than an abusive power-imbalance.
It’s already been mentioned, but this felt reminiscent of Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh, and it also made me think of All’s Well/Bunny by Mona Awad at times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the free audio in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2024
3.75 stars
suprisingly i actually enjoyed this book! we follow an unnamed main character who at the start of the book is sexually assaulted at a party, we follow her through the course of this short novel where she grapples with her emotions and feelings after the attack; and going about her life in london.
i think this short novel respectfully showed how some women struggle with processing thoughts and feelings after a violent attack. our main character doesn’t see herself as a victim because according to her what she has experienced it not as “bad” as other women. she disregards her own feelings and minimises her own experience. this is further reflected on how she goes about her daily life suppressing her feelings which i turn beings to affect her work, relationships, physical and mental health.
during this book she encounters a character called helena who has had a bad encounter with the abuser in the past and she is willing to seek revenge. our main character and helena develop a romantic relationship which is different for both - helena seems well put together which really is her masking her hurt and feelings whereas our unknown main character is chaotic and extremely co-dependant on her. both women contrasted each other well, and towards the end of the novel things have an eerie unhinged vibe which i loved!! i really wish we could’ve seen more of that.
the writing is similar to a stream of consciousness as our character does and observes different things. i always love the London settings and i feel it added to the chaos of our main characters thoughts and feelings too. i can’t help but wish the book was just that 50pgs longer.
i recommend it if you’re looking for something short and engaging with an eerie/unexplained vibe towards the end.
suprisingly i actually enjoyed this book! we follow an unnamed main character who at the start of the book is sexually assaulted at a party, we follow her through the course of this short novel where she grapples with her emotions and feelings after the attack; and going about her life in london.
i think this short novel respectfully showed how some women struggle with processing thoughts and feelings after a violent attack. our main character doesn’t see herself as a victim because according to her what she has experienced it not as “bad” as other women. she disregards her own feelings and minimises her own experience. this is further reflected on how she goes about her daily life suppressing her feelings which i turn beings to affect her work, relationships, physical and mental health.
during this book she encounters a character called helena who has had a bad encounter with the abuser in the past and she is willing to seek revenge. our main character and helena develop a romantic relationship which is different for both - helena seems well put together which really is her masking her hurt and feelings whereas our unknown main character is chaotic and extremely co-dependant on her. both women contrasted each other well, and towards the end of the novel things have an eerie unhinged vibe which i loved!! i really wish we could’ve seen more of that.
the writing is similar to a stream of consciousness as our character does and observes different things. i always love the London settings and i feel it added to the chaos of our main characters thoughts and feelings too. i can’t help but wish the book was just that 50pgs longer.
i recommend it if you’re looking for something short and engaging with an eerie/unexplained vibe towards the end.
April 6, 2024
“There is something creeping at the edge of your vision, lingering somewhere just out of focus. All it would take is to let your mind wander, to let it come into view.”
Phoebe Stuckes novel tells the story of a young woman who suffers a tragic incident that left her with no memory of the events that occurred. Through time she realises what happened to her and who was responsible. Finding solace in another woman she meets, she realises this person knows who was responsible for her attack, she leans on her for more than just comfort and support. This soon delves into the unhinged reality that begins to spin around this character and explores the lasting affects of an abusive relationship.
This was a quick and tense read. It explored the troubled relationships of the main character. The abuse she suffered as a result of it and the way she is treated by those around her. The limits to which she finds herself in strained situations are tested time and time again. When a twisted opportunity is laid on the table to help her she has to make a decision on wether it is worth following through with it or protecting herself once and for all.
This felt creepy outright. From the chain of events that set this downward spiral in motion, you can’t help but sympathise with the main character. However bonding through her trauma with this new woman, it reflects on how she is pushed to the brink.
A visceral and explicit tale is told in this short novel that will appeal to fans of books like Eileean by Ottessa Moshfegh.
Many thanks to @negalley for the audiobook.
Phoebe Stuckes novel tells the story of a young woman who suffers a tragic incident that left her with no memory of the events that occurred. Through time she realises what happened to her and who was responsible. Finding solace in another woman she meets, she realises this person knows who was responsible for her attack, she leans on her for more than just comfort and support. This soon delves into the unhinged reality that begins to spin around this character and explores the lasting affects of an abusive relationship.
This was a quick and tense read. It explored the troubled relationships of the main character. The abuse she suffered as a result of it and the way she is treated by those around her. The limits to which she finds herself in strained situations are tested time and time again. When a twisted opportunity is laid on the table to help her she has to make a decision on wether it is worth following through with it or protecting herself once and for all.
This felt creepy outright. From the chain of events that set this downward spiral in motion, you can’t help but sympathise with the main character. However bonding through her trauma with this new woman, it reflects on how she is pushed to the brink.
A visceral and explicit tale is told in this short novel that will appeal to fans of books like Eileean by Ottessa Moshfegh.
Many thanks to @negalley for the audiobook.
April 2, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Sceptre for the ARC.
This was a very readable and absorbing book about a young woman who feels like she has absolutely no power over her own life. When starting the book, the narrator's voice plunges you immediately into a cavernous maw of depression, anxiety, resentment and bewilderment. How did she get here, why is she here, doesn't she deserve better, why is everyone always so angry with her? The feeling of panic and exhaustion is impossible to shake in those early pages and it makes her enduring desire to remain non-violent in the face of her (many) abusers quite admirable. If I worked catering and restaurant shifts at unreasonable hours, went without days off for weeks at a time, was surrounded by friends with office jobs, was assaulted by a stranger and then fell into a toxic relationship with his ex, I would definitely be looking for something to kill.
I think that might be the issue I had with the book in the end - I wanted it to have a bit more messiness to it, something a bit more shocking. That wouldn't necessarily have to be violence, but everything that does happen just kind of ebbs into mediocrity at the end.
Having said that, I enjoyed the narrative voice very much; I feel like I'm almost chemically engineered to, at this point. Dead Animals has the same kind of compulsively introspective early 30s female narrator as books like Supper Club, My Year of Rest and Relaxation, and Conversations with Friends/Normal People, which is like catnip to me. It's so easy to read and it's very satisfying when you're used to overthinking everything you do, every interaction you have with another person, and contextualising your own flaws and problems within the defeats of your whole generation. None of this is a criticism, although I would say again that it indicates a lack of surprises.
This was a very readable and absorbing book about a young woman who feels like she has absolutely no power over her own life. When starting the book, the narrator's voice plunges you immediately into a cavernous maw of depression, anxiety, resentment and bewilderment. How did she get here, why is she here, doesn't she deserve better, why is everyone always so angry with her? The feeling of panic and exhaustion is impossible to shake in those early pages and it makes her enduring desire to remain non-violent in the face of her (many) abusers quite admirable. If I worked catering and restaurant shifts at unreasonable hours, went without days off for weeks at a time, was surrounded by friends with office jobs, was assaulted by a stranger and then fell into a toxic relationship with his ex, I would definitely be looking for something to kill.
I think that might be the issue I had with the book in the end - I wanted it to have a bit more messiness to it, something a bit more shocking. That wouldn't necessarily have to be violence, but everything that does happen just kind of ebbs into mediocrity at the end.
Having said that, I enjoyed the narrative voice very much; I feel like I'm almost chemically engineered to, at this point. Dead Animals has the same kind of compulsively introspective early 30s female narrator as books like Supper Club, My Year of Rest and Relaxation, and Conversations with Friends/Normal People, which is like catnip to me. It's so easy to read and it's very satisfying when you're used to overthinking everything you do, every interaction you have with another person, and contextualising your own flaws and problems within the defeats of your whole generation. None of this is a criticism, although I would say again that it indicates a lack of surprises.
March 22, 2024
dark and twisted unreliable narrators are my perfectly brewed cup of tea, but unfortunately this book fell short and didn’t hit the spot for me! (no I’m not a poet, but yes I should be)
there is no denying that this isn’t a difficult read, with its dark themes there’s not really any room for enjoyment. that being said I think it highlighted these themes really well, I felt quite uncomfortable at times and I’m not easily triggered.
I don’t think this book lends itself well as an audiobook format, as it was at times quite hard to follow. Especially the supernatural horror? what was that all about honestly!
lastly, the ending I felt was rushed and I would’ve loved more from Helene in those last moments before the epilogue. But overall for such a short book, it really did pack a few punches.
for anyone wanting to read this I would recommend looking up the trigger warnings first.
thank you to the lads at netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. you guys are the goat
there is no denying that this isn’t a difficult read, with its dark themes there’s not really any room for enjoyment. that being said I think it highlighted these themes really well, I felt quite uncomfortable at times and I’m not easily triggered.
I don’t think this book lends itself well as an audiobook format, as it was at times quite hard to follow. Especially the supernatural horror? what was that all about honestly!
lastly, the ending I felt was rushed and I would’ve loved more from Helene in those last moments before the epilogue. But overall for such a short book, it really did pack a few punches.
for anyone wanting to read this I would recommend looking up the trigger warnings first.
thank you to the lads at netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. you guys are the goat
February 28, 2024
TW: rape, sexual assault, controlling relationships, abuse, murder.
I feel perturbed and unsettled after finishing this and I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. I can see how this book is trying to comment on the wider issue of femicide and abuse against women, and I applaud the author for tackling such a difficult subject. While this book was short, it packed a punch, from the embedded violence to the unlikeable characters. It just fell short of what it was trying to accomplish, for me personally. The ending felt rushed and the characters were very one dimensional, but it was still a disturbing and dark read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #DeadAnimals #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I feel perturbed and unsettled after finishing this and I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. I can see how this book is trying to comment on the wider issue of femicide and abuse against women, and I applaud the author for tackling such a difficult subject. While this book was short, it packed a punch, from the embedded violence to the unlikeable characters. It just fell short of what it was trying to accomplish, for me personally. The ending felt rushed and the characters were very one dimensional, but it was still a disturbing and dark read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #DeadAnimals #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 11, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC for review.
A story of haunting trauma, an attempt at overcoming it, and revenge.
This was a deeply interesting listen. The portrayal of trauma, the somewhat detached and still deeply terrified feelings and actions of the main character, the helplessness, how she doesn't seem to know what to do with herself at all without someone telling her.
Somewhere throughout the book i got the hint of a feeling that she might be a little autistic, but none of that is ever confirmed, so it stays confined to my speculations.
The horror in this was more weird than creepy or unsettling, which isn't bad in any way. It was the kind of uncomfortable that the real world, and real trauma bring with them. Never knowing what or who to trust, wary of everything, irrationally afraid of things. At the same time a carnal, irresistible desire, and want for things you wouldn't ever think about before the trauma.
The narrator of the audiobook was pleasant to listen to, even though her tone was mostly completely monotone. I suppose it is fitting with the detached feeling of the main character.
Especially since it's under five hours, i would definitely recommend this to listen to.
It has the potential to open the eyes of some people, while making others feel understood.
A story of haunting trauma, an attempt at overcoming it, and revenge.
This was a deeply interesting listen. The portrayal of trauma, the somewhat detached and still deeply terrified feelings and actions of the main character, the helplessness, how she doesn't seem to know what to do with herself at all without someone telling her.
Somewhere throughout the book i got the hint of a feeling that she might be a little autistic, but none of that is ever confirmed, so it stays confined to my speculations.
The horror in this was more weird than creepy or unsettling, which isn't bad in any way. It was the kind of uncomfortable that the real world, and real trauma bring with them. Never knowing what or who to trust, wary of everything, irrationally afraid of things. At the same time a carnal, irresistible desire, and want for things you wouldn't ever think about before the trauma.
The narrator of the audiobook was pleasant to listen to, even though her tone was mostly completely monotone. I suppose it is fitting with the detached feeling of the main character.
Especially since it's under five hours, i would definitely recommend this to listen to.
It has the potential to open the eyes of some people, while making others feel understood.
March 26, 2024
The title and description really intrigued me. Especially when the genre was stated as horror. I love a good horror story!
I was a bit dissatisfied with the lack of said “horror”. Few scenes had a really good potential and I am disappointed that it wasn’t developed further. It felt like the author was waving a carrot in front of me and as soon as I’m about to get hold of it, it’s being taken away.
So even though the story was intriguing, I think the “hunting” was unnecessary. The emotional distress of the FMC could have been portrayed without those elements especially that they were never properly developed.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me read this book.
March 24, 2024
I'm a sucker for foxes on covers. The cover as a whole is very alluring. The story was also alluring - I could relate to the main character, likely made easier by them being nameless and otherwise characterless besides their key experiences (which I didn't mind, since it lent to her being relatable). However, the ending was very anticlimactic and predictable. If it had been one or the other, I wouldn't have been so disappointed by it. It's the kind of story that saunters rather than drives forward, but I actually liked that (until the end when it flipped).
My other gripe is that the assault the protagonist went through is hardly there - either in conversation or her thoughts. And since it was partly why the ending was what it was, I think it would've been great to explore that emotional beat. This means the protagonist doesn't really have any opportunity to fulfil an arc - good or bad - which is disappointing.
I received an audiobook on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My other gripe is that the assault the protagonist went through is hardly there - either in conversation or her thoughts. And since it was partly why the ending was what it was, I think it would've been great to explore that emotional beat. This means the protagonist doesn't really have any opportunity to fulfil an arc - good or bad - which is disappointing.
I received an audiobook on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2024
Something about the way this was written really stressed me out so for that reason I feel like the story really worked. I actually think I could have gone without the epilogue and enjoyed it just a tad more
June 12, 2024
Despite being quite a short book, this took me ages to read.
Had the room to be a really good read, but unfortunately in my opinion the ending was very poor and nothing was summed up or concluded and I found it quite frustrating.
Had the room to be a really good read, but unfortunately in my opinion the ending was very poor and nothing was summed up or concluded and I found it quite frustrating.
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