Book Review: ‘Hungerstone' by Kat Dunn
Finally, a book as compelling as its cover. ‘Hungerstone' by Kat Dunn was always going to be a little bit of me, but I didn't anticipate quite how much I was going to be sucked in by it.
Full disclosure: We received proof copies of ‘Hungerstone’ from the publisher after expressing a wish to feature it on our podcast The Dark Academicals. However, our thoughts and opinions remain our own, and we were not influenced in any way in regards to how we would talk about it on the podcast.
If you don't know, now you know:
“FOR WHAT DO YOU HUNGER . . . ?
Lenore is the wife of steel magnate Henry, but ten years into their marriage the relationship has soured, and no child has arrived to fill the distance growing between them. Henry's ambitions take them from London to the Peak District, to the remote, imposing Nethershaw estate, where he plans to host a hunting party. Lenore must work to restore the crumbling house and ready it for Henry's guests - their future depends on it.
But as the couple travel through the bleak countryside, a shocking carriage accident brings the mysterious Carmilla into Lenore's life. Carmilla, who is weak and pale during the day but vibrant at night, Carmilla who stirs up something deep within Lenore. And before long, girls from the local villages fall sick, consumed by a terrible hunger . . .
As the day of the hunt draws closer, Lenore begins to unravel, questioning the role she has been playing all these years. Torn between regaining her husband's affection and the cravings Carmilla has awakened, soon Lenore will uncover a darkness in her household that will place her at terrible risk . . .”
I haven't actually read ‘Carmilla’, but Sophie has and her excitement over a kind of reworking of that classic Gothic tale was enough to make me excited too. I have a real soft spot for historically set fiction, especially if it has a dark Gothic lilt to it. And Hungerstone? Good god, it's got that in buckets.
When I started reading this on the morning of my day off, I was thinking I'd just get a few pages in before I had to get up to feed the cat etc. What I didn't realise then was that I would be taking said pages with me while doling out fresh Felix, while waiting for the washing machine to finish its spin cycle, and inbetween my other errands that day. In fact, I became increasingly annoyed that I had other things to do besides read that book.
In the end, I read it all. In less than 24 hours, which as a habitually slow mood reader, that's no small feat.
Something about ‘Hungerstone' gripped me, heart and soul.
I spoke a few weeks ago about how I was noticing this rising trend of the Gothic in fresh forms, as well as paying homage to its roots. Having seen ‘Nosferatu' at the beginning of the year, and the surrounding fan hysteria around it, I am in no doubt that we're having a Gothic Horror revival, and I am here for it. This is my time. This is my jam. And although I'm somewhat concerned about the state of the world we live in if this is the way we're expressing ourselves (see: women's oppression and the occult through the ages), I am living for it.
Right. The book.
I found myself relating to Lenore, despite the centuries that would separate us culutrally, and I felt her plight deep within my bones. I have always been drawn to those female protagonists that just want. They want more. They're just so… hungry. And much like a restless Jane Eyre, Lenore finds herself considering her limitations, that is, once she realises how flimsy the cage actually is.
Henry, her husband, is a shit. There's no other way to describe him, and the way Dunn's writing almost has me empathise with him for a moment, makes me feel a bit sick with myself (that's also the point, I felt, so this isn't a criticism, in fact, it's quite the opposite). Because once we get that reveal of his true intentions, and his true self, I was floored. I wasn't surprised, but I also was expecting him to be more passive in this. His very active role in her suffering made his comeuppance that much sweeter.
Sapphic, yes. Empowering, yes. Did it make me feel things? Yes. Do I like that? Yes, but no, because stop it. I don't need to face these things in myself right now, ok?
If you are on the fence about ‘Hungerstone', please take that leap. The writing is sublime. The plot is twisty and devilish and heart-pounding and so so compelling. The characters are fully realised, the setting is fabulous, and the overall vibe was absolutely delicious.
Loved it.
Written by Sarah
