The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES is a beautifully squeamish tale that blends Southern Gothic and modern-day horror. I have yet to read a novel that captivates the essence of classic literature and modern-day prose until now. Hendrix’s atmospheric language and revival of Victorian and Gothic literary themes took me back to undergrad, reminding me of favorite classics like THE YELLOW WALLPAPER, THE AWAKENING, and GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Each element within Hendrix’s novel is subject to interpretation. The characters, setting, and supernatural components all serve the greater purpose of the plot, crafting an undeniably exquisite tale of strength, redemption, and sacrifice.

For the rest of the review, check out my blog: https://alyrusciano.wordpress.com/2022/04/30/the-southern-book-clubs-guide-to-slaying-vampires-review

Sometimes I just need to read a book that doesn't require too much thinking. This book was perfect for that. Could I pick it apart and delve into the stereotyping, sexism, relationships between women . . . Sure. Do I want to? Nope. It was creepy, sometimes gross, and fun. Got the book on sale. It was worth every penny

The Boozy Book Club wanted something different - spooky - for October's selection, so I recommended a book and author I have been interested in trying - the Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. The book started with a bored housewife, Patricia Campbell, who is feeling overwhelmed by her life - workaholic husband, senile mother in law, teenage kids who to be blunt had their own issues. At the beginning of the book she is in a "serious" book club reading classics and unappealing titles, and she didn't have time to read her book to lead the discussion so she wings it. Poorly. After, a few of the women in the group form their own club reading their true passion - true crime. This beginning was so light, and slightly humorous, giving a false sense of lightness to the book that very quickly took a dark and sometimes graphicly violent turn. A new neighbor, James Harris, moves into the neighborhood and things start happening - a mysterious attach on Patricia at night by a neighbor, children in the poor side of town going missing, her mother in laws mysterious death, and serious red flags about James' that Patricia ignores until she starts putting together the pieces and concludes he is a monster. There is a lot to discuss in this book. We have racism and sexism. All of the men are horrible and have no respect or concern for the "only housewives" women. Grating attitudes by the men, and how they dismiss and gaslight the women, make one think about how much has stuff changed- or not changed- since the 1980s and 90s. With their husbands and men in town all under James's spell, the women take matters into their own hands in a rather gory account with some bizarre humorous touches. I loved the setting, and it made me think of the early horror from the greats like King, Saul, Farris and Koontz. Throw in some Stranger Things, and horror movies from the 80s and 90s, and some very very uncomfortable downright scary scenes (not sure i will think of attics the same way ever again), and you have a very compelling Halloween read.

I read this in a single sitting (foolishly, late at night!!!) because I was so unsettled and gripped that I needed to finish it if I was going to have any hope of sleeping. This solidly reminded me why I cannot/do not read anything remotely horror or horror-adjacent because I am a BABY and this FREAKED ME OUT, but I blitzed through it and it certainly held my attention THANK GOODNESS IM DONE

DNF at 38%

I don't think this is a bad book at all I just didn't click with it. I've been trying to finish it since March and I just don't find it gripping. I do find the plot interesting but the main character didn't mesh with me.