This book just at its core is not for me, I found the description misleading and the writing style too poetic for my personal taste. While absolutely literary, I would also solidly characterize this as horror and historical.

This story is about a mute girl who's kept hidden from the town by two sisters. She is forbidden to leave and forced to continue their business as headstone cutters and carvers. Her history is hidden from her, but forces beyond her control force the truth to be revealed. This is not (in my opinion) a "feverish and hypnotic excavation of grief and inheritance" it is a story of familial trauma.

The writing was difficult for me to get into. When I saw it was written by a poet and was SO excited, but it was not the kind of poetry I enjoy. I was expecting something like, "This Is How You Lose the Time War", or "In the Dream House", but those are much more lyrical than this. Here, the sentences are very short and very repetitive. It is chock full of metaphors that I didn’t have enough context to understand, it left me confused.

Overall, I think the point of this book is the writing and not the plot. The writing is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but I was annoyed and confused because I went into it wanting to read about a girl abandoned in a graveyard tending graves. If you like poetic writing and don’t care about the story, read this. If you want a book with a plot, maybe skip this one.

Little Neck by Darcie Dennigan

Darcie Dennigan composes a novel brimming with melancholy, and steeped in moroseness. Curious in nature, our story revolves around a girl searching for answers. Within the cemetery plot lies a tale of secrets. Her abandoned, slender hands dig through the bleak soil, toiling for answers. Devoid of her heritage and questioning her destiny, she may have stumbled upon a clue. As she discovers a hint of what could be significant, she awakens in the Little Neck’s gravestone sculptor's abode. The two ladies seem curious and yet somehow indifferent to her, as she fails to create any meaningful conversation with them. Perhaps more importantly, her story is mired in what they do not say. There is secrecy here amongst the two sisters, Rosmarge and Rita. Working in unison, they help the bereaved with creating epitaphs and headstones for their beloved deceased. The young girl soaks up the knowledge and seems unusually adept at carving tombstones. Why is she in this place of stone and dust, she asks herself?

Due to my limited understanding of various writing styles, this offered me a new chance to broaden my literary horizons. My senses are bombarded by sentences strewn together, creating a dizzying effect. My brain is being overloaded with countless ideas and thoughts. I was forced to slow down my reading process. Perusing would not do; concentration was a must. Taking a good deal to acclimate, I finally understood that this was not a race I must win. I was here to enjoy the scenery in its infinite gloominess, sprinkled among the freshly planted flowers around the burial grounds. I was forced to spectate and observe. Atmospheric in nature, I walked through the cemetery. Stopping to pause and observe the numerous family plots. A fog of gloom washed over my faculties as I paused to admire the craftsmanship of the headstones. Similarly, admiring the looping of the cursive names scrawled upon them, as had the adolescent character in the tale.

Redemption, retribution, and love are themes that ring loudly. I will not spoil what awaits the reader. Please know there is a reward to the madness lying within the pages. Be prepared for the author to engage your emotions. Sadness, grief, and despair await as the tale unfolds like a blooming flower in the summer heat. Anger and resentment become your allies as you ask the questions as to why. The subject matter is as heavy as lifting a ten-ton rock from a quarry bed, and there may be some triggers for some individuals.

In conclusion, I took a leap of faith and simply hoped for a great story. I left Little Neck with so much more. This was a transformative experience. Defining! For those with experience with this type of novel, I commend you and highly recommend this book. For readers like me, who are new to this style of writing, this is evidence that there are countless ways to improve as a reader. I am giving this 4.5 stars and rounding up to 5 stars. Recommended!

Many thanks to Fonograf Editions for the ARC through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.