Reading this felt a bit like an eerie fever dream. I found myself feelinig unsettled throughout, and that's rare for me, so I count that as a real win for this author's atmosphere building. Definitely a nebulous, you-have-to-experience it sort of deal.

Well, I’m not really sure what actually happened in this book. However, the writing is lovely, and the author does a good job capturing the way the world looks to children. Tiny things have great importance, and the adults’ world is fairly inscrutable. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Scribner for the advanced copy of this novel in return for my honest thoughts. This novel is out Feb 10, 2025.

I unfortunately had to DNF this one. The plot was intriguing and seemingly had great bones but I could not get through it with the writing personally. The writing made it really hard to even know what was going on and the plot wasn’t solid enough to trudge through it to the end. I think the author attempted to take on a childlike voice but at the same time referencing the reader which made me think that this was a retelling from the once child’s voice? Reading this was like reading a high school freshman’s creative writing essay and they didn’t prof read it before turning it in. As I was reading I often had an internal monologue of, an editor thinking about what I would cut or expand on. It makes me feel sad when I read something that has bones but the writing drags you to hell. All in all, choices were made and I could not get aboard the train on this one.

P.S
If this novel excites you I urge any reader to give all titles a shot and form their own opinions.

Hauntingly beautiful writing. I really cannot say enough about how gorgeous the prose is. Even for a short novel, it packs a big punch.

I absolutely loved this. I wish it had been longer is my only complaint.
I love stories about the mysterious woods and coming from the mouths and minds of babes

I really wanted to like this book. The language was beautiful, but while the concept was intriguing, it never grabbed me. I got names confused at the beginning, no story was ever finished, and while I appreciated the voice of the narrator, I also didn’t feel invested in any of the characters.

Hard to characterize this one. It’s comic and gothic, domestic and philosophical. It twinkles with unexpected language and sudden weighty observations, at others meanders amongst horror, squabbles, speculation on family and behavior. I was often intrigued and impressed by the atmospheric nature. But eventually, even though it’s a short read, I got a bit fed up with the mixing and mooching, and began to wonder exactly how much it added up to. Not memorable for content as much as the intelligence of the writing.

A spectral atmospheric story of cousins at a family party. When the very youngest, Abi, is lost from the group, the gang is quick to investigate themselves rather than involving adults. It's such an gripping story! Bamford articulates the thoughts of children immaculately and we feel their strong emotions as they attempt to rectify the problem.

Bamford seamlessly includes multiple interesting plot devices including a "literary hopeful" tone by the author and the idea that there is more in the woods than what seems. A short novel and a unique one. Perfect for those who love a mysterious story, a family tale gone wrong and those who love literature that captures a child's voice (like me)!
#scribner #idlegrounds #krystellebamford

Beautiful, delicate, and surprising at the sentence level with a mystical and mysterious plot. Really enjoyed this portal of a novel.