Despite the presence of the supernatural, this is not a horror novel. I’m not sure that I would call it a thriller either. It is, however, a story of love, guilt, and grief, and the profound effects they have on the mind, body, and soul of a person. I’m reminded of Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Crimson Peak’ in which the main character, Edith, an aspiring author, claims she writes love stories, and the ghosts they contain are only a metaphor. The same is true of ‘A Cure for Sorrow’, a compelling read through and through.

Based on the description, I requested this book. Im not sure if Im confused after reading it or if I fabricated a plot based on the description. There was not a ton of "gotta keep reading" moments for me. I felt like it was lacking oomph, maybe magic or something. Im not sure. There wasnt a whole lot going on and Im left with more questions at this point.

A Cure for Sorrow was a disappointing read for me. The beginning of the book was macabre and it seemed like it was being set up as a Frankenstein-esque type of plot, however, this was not the case. The majority of the story was set in the backwoods of upstate New York in a dysfunctional family where not a whole lot happened, except for the hot blooded escapades of the main character Nora. The supernatural bits were too subtle and secondary to have any real impact on the story. Miraculously, I was able to finish the whole book because it seemed like there was going to be a major plot twist or big reveal, which unfortunately did not happen.

I wish the rest of the book was as good as the beginning, with more mystery, creepiness, and macabre elements.