Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this advanced reader copy

Wow! This book was something. I have a love hate relationship with Ian reid but this book was really good. I definitely got emotional during some parts and other parts I had to keep the lights on. Definitely wigged me out a little bit. I think right from the get go this book starts off and doesn’t really let up. That being said I did have a hard time paying attention and understanding everything that was happening. The conversation around aging and memory is so important and I think this book brings that up in such a unique and refreshing way. I absolutely recommend this one!

I'm a huge fan of all of Iain Reid's books. This was probably my least favorite, however I think it was truly the most frightening! Aging and not really knowing what is going on around you has to be the most terrible feeling.

if this author writes it: i'm reading it.

since the day i read 'i'm thinking of ending things' i have moved this author to my auto love list.
my advice to any one who has read for lengthy amount of time will never be let down when they read one of Iain Reid's books and thats a fact.

I didn't like how I felt at the close of this book. It's a little discombobulating and sad. However, it definitely was/is a very thought-provoking read.

Well I’m glad I waited until the very end of the month to make my best of the year list because this one really showed up at the last second and totally exceeded my expectations. Reid’s debut novel, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”, is one of my favorite books of all time, but his follow up “Foe” didn’t really deliver for me, so I was really excited to see where this one lands. And, well, it’s brilliant. Reid has such an incredible way of disorienting the audience without losing them. He plays with space and time in a way that we feel as lost and confused as the protagonist- 92-year old Penny, who has just been sent to a elderly care facility in the forest. It deals a lot with aging, and how our bodies can let us down before our minds do, and the brutal moment our minds start to follow. This book opens with the most heartbreaking first chapter I have ever read, and I knew I was going to be hooked from that alone. The book is written in prose, with some pages having only a sentence on it, so it’s a really quick read. I would describe it as a kind of horror novel, because we’re stuck in a POV that is fighting to understand what’s going on around her while she is certain her mind is solid and people keep telling her otherwise. And the ending… the ending is just so heart wrenching. I vibe of this one more similar to “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”, as it is disorienting and surreal at moments but the core concepts being explored are incredibly profound and Reid tackles them with a sensitivity and curiosity that will have you hooked.

I’m always on the fence when reading Iain Reid. I usually walk away asking myself what did I just read and what was that really about? I don’t think this is a good or bad thing ultimately, it’s up to the reader to interpret his writing and evaluate it as you will.

We Spread deals with an older woman and we really don’t know whether she’s losing her mind or being held against her will. After Penny is put in a home she starts to lose track of time and reality. And here is where the question poses as is she losing her mind or is this narrator telling the truth.

Overall I like Iain’s writing, but one thing I would change is the definitive answer of what is actually happening in the story. I like to close a story up when I’m finished, but his books make me think for days after I’m done!

***Thank you Netgalley & Gallery Books***

Iain Reid’s We Spread is a haunting and introspective novel that explores the complexities of aging, memory, and identity. Known for his ability to blend psychological insight with elements of suspense, Reid delivers a deeply affecting narrative that lingers long after the final page is turned.

The story follows Penny, an elderly woman who moves into a seemingly idyllic and modern long-term care home after the death of her partner. At first, Penny is relieved to find a place where she is cared for and no longer alone. However, as days turn into weeks, she begins to notice unsettling changes in her environment and within herself. The line between reality and imagination blurs, and Penny’s sense of trust and understanding of her own mind is put to the test.

Reid’s portrayal of Penny is both compassionate and unflinching. He captures her vulnerability and resilience with a delicate touch, making her a deeply relatable and sympathetic character. Penny’s reflections on her past, her lost autonomy, and her struggle to retain her sense of self are rendered with poignant clarity. Reid’s ability to inhabit Penny’s perspective allows readers to experience the world through her eyes, creating an intimate and immersive reading experience.

The setting of the long-term care home is expertly crafted, serving as both a sanctuary and a prison. Reid’s descriptions of the home’s sterile yet serene environment evoke a sense of unease that grows as the narrative progresses. The home’s staff and residents are portrayed with a mix of warmth and ambiguity, adding to the novel’s tension and uncertainty.

One of the novel’s standout features is its exploration of the themes of aging and memory. Reid delves into the fears and anxieties associated with growing older, particularly the loss of independence and the erosion of one’s identity. Penny’s struggle to hold onto her memories and sense of self is depicted with sensitivity and depth, raising important questions about the nature of consciousness and the human experience.

Reid’s writing is both lyrical and precise, capturing the subtleties of Penny’s internal landscape. His prose is imbued with a sense of melancholy and introspection, perfectly matching the novel’s contemplative tone. The pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to fully engage with Penny’s journey and the slow unraveling of the mystery surrounding the care home.

As the story unfolds, Reid masterfully builds suspense, blending elements of psychological thriller and speculative fiction. The novel’s twists and turns are unexpected yet entirely plausible within the framework of the story, keeping readers engaged and questioning what is real and what is imagined. Reid’s ability to maintain this tension without sacrificing character development or thematic depth is a testament to his skill as a storyteller.

In conclusion, We Spread is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking novel that offers a profound meditation on aging, memory, and identity. Iain Reid’s compassionate portrayal of Penny and his skillful blending of psychological insight with suspenseful storytelling make this book a standout in contemporary fiction. We Spread is a deeply affecting read that will resonate with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of aging or the fragility of the human mind. Reid’s latest work is a poignant reminder of the enduring strength of the human spirit and the importance of holding onto our sense of self, even in the face of inevitable change.

Some love this author, but sadly I am not one of them. I have tried but I think the writing style contributes to my dislike. Just a creepy book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher!

This book cemented in my brain that Ian Reid's novels are not for me.

I've tried so many of his books but I just don't enjoy the writing style.

Iain Reid has become a favorite of mine, this book was no different to express how much I enjoy the writing skills this author has. This was definitely an emotional and thought provoking novel.

The reader is introduced to Penny the MC who's aging and is going through a memory problem. This book speaks on the fear of death and what it's like from the first person POV of having gaps in remembering the everyday things we take for granted.

There were moments where I thought Shelley was the bad guy being portrayed and that's the kind of emotional twisting I liked from this book. It was all over the place, but in a good way. The ups and downs played on the readers heart strings were phenomenal. The only downfall of this story was there wasn't enough backstory on the other characters. Overall though, I will be highly recommending this one!

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

***Spoiler Alert***

Ok...so when I read this I felt sad. Sad for Penny, sad for elderly people, sad for families of people who have demetia. Just sad. Because at the surface this book is sort of a panic inducing mystery. Is Penny being held captive, is something amiss at her new home, who are the people taking care of her and what are their motives? But, as other reviewers have speculated and I agree with, this book is about someone who is slowly losing their grip on reality due to the devasting disease of dementia or alzheimers. So, it is tragic and heartbreaking. My Nana and my Grandmother bother suffered from this, and they were parnoid, angry, and child like much like Penny. They say you lose a family member twice to this disease, and they are not wrong.

4 stars

Getting old is scary. Losing your mind and ability to tell time or know what dates or which is also terrifying. This novel uses that concept in the unfolded of the subtlest of horrors. Is Penny slowly losing herself as she gives way to dementia or is there something sinister about the Six Cedars Care Home? Why are there only 4 residents under the care of Shelly and another nurse? I am experiencing a lot of familial trauma currently with the few grandparents I have left. I was hoping to understand more about what my family members may be experiencing. This was cathartic. Very healing to read and also heartbreaking. A great exploration into empathetic horror and the population of the world that society seems to reject and hate the most. I'm glad I read this and I'm glad Iain Reid was the one to write this novel. I don't think anyone else could've captured the story as well as he did.

Very melancholy and vulnerable, the acknowledgments really bring the book together and feel like an epilogue.

The prose is dreamy and chilling, and the plot is one that can be read as allegory or completely at face value and stun you.

WE SPREAD by Iain Reid

Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: I'm Thinking of Ending Things, FOE

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978198216...

Release Date: September 2022

General Genre: Psychological Thriller/Horror, Science Fiction, Existential, Suspense

Sub-Genre/Themes: Death & Dying, Aging, Memories, Dementia, Assisted Living, Care Facility, Being alone, Passion, Creativity, Community, Secrets & Lies

Writing Style: Succinct, lyrical, dialogue-heavy, character-driven, internal monologue

What You Need to Know:
I had a hard time getting into it when I tried reading my physical arc last year. The font on my NetGalley copy was too small, so this book has lingered on my shelves. This year, it made my #23in23challenge so I decided to try the audiobook and I’m so glad I did! Highly recommend the audiobook. However, I usually adjust the speed to about 1.3 or 1.5 and the way the writing flows and the way the narrator has vocally interpreted the flow of the prose, I feel like I should caution against adjusting the speed too much. 1.3 is about as fast as it can go before it starts to sound weird.

My Reading Experience:
Did you watch (and enjoy) the show, Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu with Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy?
This book, WE SPREAD by Iain Reid (I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Foe) gave me Nine Perfect Strangers vibes but with elderly people in an exclusive retirement facility.
I know it sounds dry, and parts of it were slow…the beginning was a little mundane. Basically, an elderly woman is alone in her apartment eating “red soup” and grilled cheese and hearing voices, and falling down. Lol

Once the MC finds herself in the retirement community, things get interesting. There is a full cast of quirky characters and a mysterious lady that manages/owns the home and seriously, all the asides about living life to the fullest, finding your passion and creativity, and how fast life passes you by has given me an existential crisis! I keep thinking about how we only have this one life. It has made me want to spend more time loving my family & friends and way less time worrying about trivial, inconsequential things. Iain Reid writes the strangest, most profoundly thought-provoking books. I loved ITOET & FOE. They both left me so unsettled in the best ways…this did too! If you have fears about getting old, becoming irrelevant, being alone, watching your body age, your mind slip, losing friends and loved ones, forgetting your passion for art or reading…forgetting what it feels like to love others or have a special person…this is for you. A different kind of horror…but oh so real. I recommend the audio!

Final Recommendation: This is a slow, creeping feeling of dread; psychological horror with an unreliable narrator. It plays heavily on all our fears of aging, growing old, and ultimately, facing death. Highly recommend the audiobook--the narrator does an excellent job voicing all the characters.

Comps: Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu 2021), Nine Days (movie 2020), Synecdoche, New York (movie 2008)

We Spread by Iain Reid. I love all different types of books - different genres, books that are paced differently etc. but I honestly have no idea what I just read. This book was a bit confusing and I still have a lot of questions after finishing it. I did like the narrator but I am not sure that I would have finished it, if it were not an audio book. The plot was confusing, the book was very slow paced and the ending did not explain enough to tie up all of the loose ends. Thanks NetGalley and Scout Press for the ARC.

An insidious story with a very unreliable narrator. This one sucks you in and makes you feel like you're really enduring the main character's experience - until the story is over and then you question everything!

I have read all of Iain Reid's books. I love his style of writing. It is always mystifying and thought-provoking. This book has all of those characteristics but is also has something missing... some unanswered questions that leaves me unsatisfied. I am still a Reid fan through-and-through, but this is my least favorite of his works so far.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy of this book. This review is unbiased and my own.

Wow! I loved this philosophical and tragic novel of an elderly woman sinking into dementia. Told by an unreliable narrator throughout, it's difficult to figure out the true reality. Is something more sinister happening here, or all of this woman's experiences the results of her deteriorating mind.? While she is caught in a web of questioning, demanding and impatient, so are we.

Both frightening and enlightening, this book explores aging, impending death and uncertainty, the necessary limits of life, and the value of the present moment in a spectacularly provocative and enthralling writing style.

"I think about what more time would actually mean....More sitting around. More eating, More sleeping...,But what would the work mean if it was endless? What would a relationship mean if it kept going forever? What would a day be if it didn't end?"

I've never read any work of art like this before. It was the first Iain Reid novel I've ever read. It will not be the last.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions are all my own.

This is my first book of Iain Reid and I'm just floored with his writing. As a 70 year old woman, I was amazed how accurate he was talking about old age. The ending leaves you wide open to decide a few things, to answer your own questions. This is art.

I want to preface this by saying I absolutely LOVED I'm Thinking of Ending Things, and We Spread definitely had a similar vibe. However, whereas I kind of "get" ITOET, I did not "get" We Spread at all. It was honestly boring up until about halfway through, and by the end I was left thinking "what did I just read?" but not in a good way. I tried to process it, talk to other people who have read it, go down Reddit rabbit holes, but I just couldn't make sense of it. It was left a little TOO open to interpretation, and I was even more frustrated to read that Iain Reid doesn't ever plan on explaining his interpretation of the book. I just feel confused and left without closure. Maybe my mind isn't open enough, I don't know. I was left with so many unanswered questions and couldn't piece things together. It felt unfinished. This is not my favorite Iain Reid book, but I will still read everything he writes!