Wonderful. I mean, this book is precisely what it says on the tin (it's a ghost that's a fish that's also someone's dead sister, what more do you want?), a simple magical realism concept with enough of a twist to be intriguing and a vibrant enough execution to feel full and complex.

I was immediately pulled into Alison's world and voice: I finished the novel in two sittings within one day, and it's been a while since I've done that, even with a short novel like this. Some of it is the fact that it was a really nice day out and there are few pleasures like reading by an open window, caught in the breeze and the ray of sunshine beaming in. But this novel is particularly well-designed for it: There's a perfect balance between comfort and conflict, as the main character obviously carries significant grief and trauma with her and the city she lives in can seem like a malignant force (at least as far as we are embedded in her perspective, but seriously the more books set in New York I read, the less I ever want to live there), but she also finds tenderness along the way and you want nothing more for her to give into it rather than shrink away from anything good.

That tension, I think, is what kept me turning the pages even when I'd told myself I'd stop reading at the end of the hour and so on. Sometimes as a reader you feel like you have the power to drive the character toward the conclusion they deserve.

The novel hits some turbulence in its second part, seemingly struggling to land gracefully. Maybe that's okay. Maybe a perfectly executed symbolic end isn't right for this story, and a bit of chaos is more fitting. Nevertheless, the characterization of secondary characters takes a hit, and the whole structure of the novel is practically designed to lead to an information dump, for better or for worse. This may prevent the novel from meeting my wildest hopes, but it certainly doesn't prevent me from loving it. Gorgeous, resonant work, and Stuart Pennebaker is certainly one to watch. Whatever she writes next, I'm in.

One of the best literary fiction works of the year. It was thoughtful and brought me to tears. I loved the story, its message and the portrayal of grief. It felt real, tangible. Anybody who has/is grieving would love this book. A perfect five stars. Full review to come soon.

Haunting and beautiful portrait of grief. I really enjoyed this book and how it reminds us that you can always try again. Lovely!

ghost fish is a visceral and punching book that reflects heavily on grief. anyone who has a sibling, especially one they’re close to, will probably understand the chaotic and frantic inner thoughts of the protagonist, alison, after her sister dies by drowning. alison feels alone and is still trying to deal with the loss of her sister when a ghost fish suddenly appears to her. while at first she recognizes it can’t possibly be real, she begins to feel a duty to protect the ghost fish, as she feels she couldn’t protect her sister.

whereas some novels with purple prose get lost on me, this one shines through. the poetic and flowery writing reflects the mind of our protagonist. to me, it reflects alison’s slow descent into what can only be described as “madness”.

this novel is a great testament to how grief can impact us, it can change our lives and make us feel and do things we didn’t think were possible. the loss of a person so important to you is unthinkable until it happens and pennebaker encapsulated that perfectly.

the concept is really out there and there’s aspects of magical realism that reel you in and keep you on the edge of your seat. it is a short book but i think it started to drag a bit in the middle; there’s only so much you can do with the concept of a grieving woman seeing and taking care of a ghost fish. but either way, this is an astounding debut from pennebaker, and i’m looking forward to future novels from him.

thank you to little, brown and company for an ARC of this novel provided through netgalley!