Synopsis
A cynical twentysomething must confront her unconventional family’s dark secrets in this fiery, irreverent horror novel from the author of Such Sharp Teeth and Cackle.
Nobody has a “normal” family, but Vesper Wright’s is truly…something else. Vesper left home at eighteen and never looked back—mostly because she was told that leaving the staunchly religious community she grew up in meant she couldn’t return. But then an envelope arrives on her doorstep.
Inside is an invitation to the wedding of Vesper’s beloved cousin Rosie. It’s to be hosted at the family farm. Have they made an exception to the rule? It wouldn’t be the first time Vesper’s been given special treatment. Is the invite a sweet gesture? An olive branch? A trap? Doesn’t matter. Something inside her insists she go to the wedding. Even if it means returning to the toxic environment she escaped. Even if it means reuniting with her mother, Constance, a former horror film star and forever ice queen.
When Vesper’s homecoming exhumes a terrifying secret, she’s forced to reckon with her family’s beliefs and her own crisis of faith in this deliciously sinister novel that explores the way family ties can bind us as we struggle to find our place in the world.
Review
First and foremost, a big thank you to the kind folks over at Berkley and NetGalley for giving me access to an advanced copy of this novel.
Rachel Harrison has created a work of horror fiction that evokes the strongest emotions surrounding the ideas of identity and self with the focal point straddling faith and family. Black Sheep haunts you with the question: Just who are you? Most people will answer this question with statements about their past. But what happens when you want to leave that past behind? Who are you then? There is something special in every single one of her books that makes me feel truly seen as a twentysomething-year-old forever trying to find herself; this one is no exception. In Black Sheep, we meet Vesper who has left her entire family behind on account of their overly religious nature. One invitation changes that all, and she is forced to reckon with her and her family’s sordid past.
Beginning with the very first line of the book, I knew I was going to be in for a treat. One of the best parts of this novel is its balance between humor and suspense. Vesper’s character encompasses exactly what it feels like to be a woman in your twenties in this day and age. Even in the synopsis, she is characterized as cynical and snarky; however, I found myself relating to her and her past with religion more than I expected. Truthfully, how can we not be cynical and snarky? We twentysomethings have lived through more historically traumatic events than we can keep count. Above all, Black Sheep felt very real despite the horror influences and plot lines it follows.
When I say there were multiple moments when reading this book that I gasped out loud, that is not an exaggeration. You can ask any of the other passengers on the flight I was on at the time; they can 100% confirm it. Harrison is such an intentional, intelligent author, particularly in the way she paces the events of this novel. There is an immersive quality to the imagery and settings described, effortlessly assisting in creating an “off-kilter” tone. I expected a twist within the first few pages, but I truly could not predict the events that transpired. Not only was this an entertaining, relatable read, but it was surprising as well.
The only area of this novel that I wish I could have explored further is the character of Constance Wright. Her relationship with Vesper is truly confounding given her icy demeanor and overall air of indifference towards her daughter. As events transpire, we witness certain aspects that call into question Constance’s true motives and feelings regarding her family and faith. Her seemingly ambiguous nature may be the overall reason for having a character like her. Not all characters (or people) are meant to be understood completely, something Vesper must come to terms with, in addition to the events related to her reunion with her family.
Another striking facet of this novel is its ability to confront issues related to faith and religion head-on. There is very little room for interpretation based on many of the points acknowledged in this book, and I have to say I agree with nearly all of them. Religious preferences aside, it is so fresh and exhilarating to read something that does not shy away from the harsh truths of those who have left or are making sense of organized religion. Harrison does an excellent job of intertwining the traumas experienced in Vesper’s past with the realities of the faith she was raised. I could argue that this book speaks to the horror of organized religion, but moreover, this is a novel about acknowledging one’s past and deciding how that affects one’s identity.
A story of cataclysmic reckoning, Black Sheep is a sharp, clever novel that surprises and delivers on numerous fronts. Rachel Harrison’s characters feel incredibly real despite the fantastical elements employed throughout the plot. Vesper’s struggle to come to terms with the reality of her childhood is a universal truth so many of us face while growing into adulthood. Additionally, her confrontation with her faith is bold and refreshing in a day and age where ugly truths are normally swept under the rug. This is a poignant read that, while humorous, voices bold ideas and dares us all to be our most authentic selves, despite the nature of our past. Harrison proves yet again, she’s an instant-buy author for me.
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