Cackle
A darkly funny, frightening novel about a young woman learning how to take what she wants from a witch who may be too good to be true, from the author of The Return.
All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. She’s stunned by how perfect and picturesque the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation.
Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem…a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power…but she couldn’t be…could she?
All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. She’s stunned by how perfect and picturesque the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation.
Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem…a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power…but she couldn’t be…could she?
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
This. Book. Was. Not. It.
I get this may be a horror comedy or whatever you want to call it, but the only comedic horror thing I found was the atrocious lack of plot and characterization.
Annie was too self loathing and annoying. I get what the author was trying to do but she didn’t have to do her like that to deliver her message. This was cringey and had zero sense of direction. Didn’t even know what the plot was until like 90%? Was there even a plot? Also what was the point of the magic?
All the characters were awful. Plus who lets someone call you “pet” upon meeting you?
Spoiler:
“I’m not your pet!” This particular outburst surprises both of us. I was completely unaware this term of endearment bothered me until this moment. Suddenly, I realize how patronizing it is. How it implies ownership and reinforces an unfair power dynamic. This resentment must have been simmering in my subconscious for months.”
It took Annie a good old 261 pages to tell someone they weren’t their pet because Sophie told her she shouldn’t go back with Sam her ex? And Sophie is the evil one? Huh?
The entire book Annie was just so desperate for validation and love she literally was groveling for it the entire novel. God so cringey. And even in the end she turns into a witch where she forces people to adore and love her? Uhhh okay. What was the point of this book?
So if you want to read a book about a self loathing 30 year old, who is an alcoholic, who wants the D more than actually move on with her life, then I guess go for it?
The spider was cool I guess. Weird but cool.
I get this may be a horror comedy or whatever you want to call it, but the only comedic horror thing I found was the atrocious lack of plot and characterization.
Annie was too self loathing and annoying. I get what the author was trying to do but she didn’t have to do her like that to deliver her message. This was cringey and had zero sense of direction. Didn’t even know what the plot was until like 90%? Was there even a plot? Also what was the point of the magic?
All the characters were awful. Plus who lets someone call you “pet” upon meeting you?
Spoiler:
“I’m not your pet!” This particular outburst surprises both of us. I was completely unaware this term of endearment bothered me until this moment. Suddenly, I realize how patronizing it is. How it implies ownership and reinforces an unfair power dynamic. This resentment must have been simmering in my subconscious for months.”
It took Annie a good old 261 pages to tell someone they weren’t their pet because Sophie told her she shouldn’t go back with Sam her ex? And Sophie is the evil one? Huh?
The entire book Annie was just so desperate for validation and love she literally was groveling for it the entire novel. God so cringey. And even in the end she turns into a witch where she forces people to adore and love her? Uhhh okay. What was the point of this book?
So if you want to read a book about a self loathing 30 year old, who is an alcoholic, who wants the D more than actually move on with her life, then I guess go for it?
The spider was cool I guess. Weird but cool.
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. AND. I. LOVE. RALPH. (better review to come, at some point, when I have time to think more intentionally about it).
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