I don't even know where to start writing a book review for this without spoilers. I thought, after a while, that it could be a Bluebeard kinda story, especially with the basement being mentioned so early, but what I got was something far more complex and interesting. I don't think I've read a novella like it before.

We are first introduced to Sophia.

I was made for him.

A pretty trippy start on its own, but what follows can only be described as scenes from Pleasantville. We have a closed in gated community where the resident are increasingly restricted in the rules that we see dribbled out between chapters. All throughout it, Sophia is happy. She is thriving. She adores her husband, even though we don't see him until more than halfway through the story.

Instead, we see Sophia with other wives within the estate. The first sign of explicit creepiness outside of the general Pleasantville vibes, however, comes in the host gifts Sophia brings which are... not the kinds of gifts one would expect to give to other human wives. This is later explained.

Sophia is, for the most part, our main and only protagonist, the only character we really feel any empathy towards. The whole story is written from her closed point of view and we realise the reason for this is because everyone else knows something she doesn't.

I think I'm going to break off this review saying it was captivating and page turning and that anything else I could write would straight up be a spoiler. Loved the twist, loved the ending. Phenomenal writing as always from this author.

I now work at this publisher, so my review is biased. I have long enjoyed Catherynne M. Valente's works. She writing is as masterful as ever in this short, gripping novella.

Arcadia Gardens is the perfect place to live. Everything is of the highest quality and kept that way by strict rules. Sophia loves living there with her husband. She knows she was made just for him. But why does he leave her alone in her huge mansion so much? Why is the door to the basement kept locked with a key she doesn't have access to? Why do the neighbors seem to never be able to quite meet her eye and change the subject so quickly when Sophia asks questions?

This novel has gotten several awards such as a Shirley Jackson Award finalist and a Locust Award finalist. It is a mashup of the stories of the Garden Of Eden and Bluebeard. When Sophia finds the courage to explore her world and get answers, they aren't answers she would have wanted. This book is recommended for horror fans.

Catherynne M. Valente's "Comfort Me With Apples" is a mesmerizing literary gem. Valente's whimsical prose and vivid imagination sweep readers into a magical world from the first page, making it impossible to put down. The characters in this book are beautifully crafted, each with their own complexities and growth arcs that resonate deeply. Their stories touch upon themes of love, loss, and the power of human connection, leaving readers with a renewed sense of hope and warmth. "Comfort Me With Apples" is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating and uplifting literary experience. Valente's lyrical writing style and heartfelt storytelling make this book an absolute delight.

#EnchantingJourney #WhimsicalProse #HeartwarmingThemes #CaptivatingCharacters #EmotionalDepth #LyricalWriting #MustRead #HighlyRecommended

Gorgeous, horrifying, subversive. I tried to read this slowly but I couldn't help racing through the pages!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

This was mind-bending and weird - both things that I love in my books. It's hard to really review this without spoiling it since it is a shorter book. I will say that it was very well-written, the "mystery" unfolded in a very intriguing way, and the twist was really unexpected. For the reader, just know: nothing is at it seems, and if you think you know what the twist is, you probably don't.

I did review this book as part of ranking the horror books I read in 2022 on my TikTok account, bookendpicks.

A dark and symbolically heavy take on genesis, suburbia, and the collision between men’s desires and women’s personhoods. While it felt melodramatic at times, Valente ultimately succeeded in leaning into the resonant Biblical imagery, lingering on the details as an artist would while toiling over an ornate religious painting. Much of the plot was obvious, but I can’t fault Valente for failing to make a several thousand year old story surprising; even if the suspense was a bit gutted, a sense of wrongness still pervaded the story and helped it hold its own as a work of horror. And, truly, it was the perfect length.

Adam and Eve in suburbia, told dark fairytale style by Catherynne M. Valente. The description "Comfort Me With Apples is a terrifying new thriller from bestseller Catherynne M. Valente, for fans of Gone Girl and Spinning Silver" is somewhat misleading, but it invokes a similar feeling of panic.

Catherynne M. Valente writes at a different caliber. Every story I read by her consumes me entirely. This one is no different--it may be a novella, but it packs the punch and depth of any full-length novel.

Valente's skilled writing excels here. She crafts a tale that is confusing and weird (the usual for her books honestly) but grasps you and won't let you go until you figure out where it's going. I went into this story mostly blind and I'm happy that I did because the payoff was amazing.

This book is altogether unsettling and creepy and thrilling, and I had a fun reading experience with it. I could not have predicted the conclusion. Just. Bravo to Valente, a true master of the craft of writing.

Wow. This is such an interesting read. Is is beautifully written and it is very quick and will keep you turning pages right to the end. And what an end it is!

Comfort Me With Apples is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked. The characters are well-developed. The story is incredibly fast-paced. This is one not to be missed! Highly recommended! Be sure to check out Comfort Me With Apples asap.

This was a really unsettling and fascinating novella with beautiful prose. Sophia as a character is interesting, but it is the community itself that really drives the plot. As the rules become more and more specific and restrictive and the various community members show more of their personalities, the reader is taken further into a world that is definitely not the idyll it at first appears. I thought the writing was fantastic and the plot was incredibly well constructed for such a short book. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who likes an uncomfortable read and overall, I really enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was such a creepy little book. I got step-ford/garden of Eden vibes but on a creepier level. Then my suspicions were confirmed with the chapters being apples and just the way the story was going. Unique take- I liked it.

I can’t say that I liked this novella, but it has definitely stuck with me. It’s a bit too flowery for my taste. The three stars are for the plot twist.

What a fascinating, odd little journey. It's such a short book that there isn't much I can say about the plot without spoiling the entire thing, and I recommend going into it knowing as little as possible — I unfortunately saw a post comparing this story to another story (that I won't name, for obvious reasons) and it spoiled the entire premise for me, so if you're reading this review and unaware of what Comfort Me With Apples is about, I'd stop right here and go pick it up!

I'm not sure that I would consider this a thriller or horror (honestly, it struck me more as a fantasy parable), but I did enjoy it immensely, especially the last few chapters. I loved the play on apple types and I found the writing to be very lovely, though I will admit that I'm glad it was only just over 100 pages, as I don't think the story or the writing style would've held up as well in a full novel. This was a delightful, bite-sized introduction to Valente's writing and I look forward to reading more from this author!

Catherynne M. Valente's take on the Adam and Eve myth is beautifully written, inventive, and heart-breaking.

Comfort Me With Apples was a quick and fun read that had me guessing until the very end. It was an unusual read, that I enjoyed it.

This was a great little read, and kept me guessing for most of the book. I will say they were very clever with marketing bc the reveal wasn’t my favorite story, but the way Valente does anything is flipping brilliant and this is no exception. I knew with her at the helm, this was going to be some kind of strange fable-fairy-tale turned on its head, and I was not let down.

Sophia’s life is perfect, until it isn’t. Here is where the story gets really good. As she finds she can’t stop until she finds the truth to her life. The question remains, will she accept the answers , or rewrite her story.