Here is what happens when there's something outside so indescribably terrifying that simply laying your eyes on it -- or them -- causes insanity, suicide, homicide, or a mixture of all. You stay inside. And not only do you stay inside, you board up the windows too. One must be blindfolded when outside excursions are completely necessary, or pay the horrible cost.
In Josh Malerman's debut novel, Malorie is living alone with her sister when internet reports first surface about weird suicidal/homicidal happenings in Russia. Trouble is, these happenings are spreading and spreading fast. And, what timing, Malorie has just found out she's pregnant. The situation deteriorates from there to the point where her up-state parents no longer answer the phone. Are they dead? And later she calls to her sister in the other room and there is no answer. She walks down the hall to the bathroom, calling. She sees...
Malorie is in survival mode by this point. Everybody is. The lucky ones stumble into homes where other survivors have gathered. This novel tells the story of one such home and its random occupants. Some of them use unbelievable cunning in attempts to understand and confront what's happening, while others devolve into fighting among themselves for whatever scraps remain.
Certain questions arise. If you're already insane, do you have immunity from this thing, these creatures, or whatever they are? Are animals and pets impacted? What if it's all just a mass-hysteria brought on by a collective fear? What if you believe your mind superior to what's out there? Don't believe it? Open the door and lower your blindfold...if you dare.
I'm a slow reader but burned through this one fast. If I set a goal to read two chapters, I'd read four. If I vowed to stop reading at midnight, I'd continue on until two. I found the book frightening, suspenseful, thought-provoking, and in a weird way a lot of fun. I couldn't believe how cool the ending was, and for a long time after that I was simply in awe.
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