by Patrick Ogle
Root Rot by Saskia Nislow had me from the first page. The book is an allegory and an examination of family dynamics in a horror context. Unlike in some books trying to make a point this is done subtly and elegantly. This is a damn near perfect book. I , once again, initially wished this brief novel was longer but it is as long as it needs to be. Knowing when you are done is a gift for a writer regardless of what they write.
There are some really unique aspects of this book I don’t want to give away (although the jacket gives away at least one of them!). I will note that Nislow dispenses with names and uses more descriptive titles for characters-- “the crybaby” or “the one with the beautiful voice” etc. This caused me to have to turn back a page or two thinking; ”ok so who is this happening to…” I feel like this choice by the author made me pay even MORE attention to what I was reading. In this day of 20 second attention spans an author who makes us focus gets my vote,
The narration of this is also unique.
You have to think while reading and isn’t that part of the point of reading? Make no mistake this is entertaining but it also gets the hamster running on the wheel in your brain or at least my brain.
Root Rot , in an almost John Burnside sort of way, creates a slow burn feeling of dread. This is perhaps not as obscure as Burnside often was but there is something, at least to me, that is similar. Me, comparing a writer to John Burnside, is high praise. His writing is close to perfection and so is this (see I wrote this twice).
How did this book make me feel? Creeped out. Not going camping or to anyone’s family cabin for a while that’s for sure. I also read this short novel slowly because I didn’t want it to end and because I was afraid of what was going to happen next.
Have no fear! Keep reading. I am going to look for more by the author. The link to the book above is to Barnes & Noble because this was recommended by the staff at their store in Wicker Park (Chicago).
Root Rot by Saskia Nislow had me from the first page. The book is an allegory and an examination of family dynamics in a horror context. Unlike in some books trying to make a point this is done subtly and elegantly. This is a damn near perfect book. I , once again, initially wished this brief novel was longer but it is as long as it needs to be. Knowing when you are done is a gift for a writer regardless of what they write.
There are some really unique aspects of this book I don’t want to give away (although the jacket gives away at least one of them!). I will note that Nislow dispenses with names and uses more descriptive titles for characters-- “the crybaby” or “the one with the beautiful voice” etc. This caused me to have to turn back a page or two thinking; ”ok so who is this happening to…” I feel like this choice by the author made me pay even MORE attention to what I was reading. In this day of 20 second attention spans an author who makes us focus gets my vote,
The narration of this is also unique.
You have to think while reading and isn’t that part of the point of reading? Make no mistake this is entertaining but it also gets the hamster running on the wheel in your brain or at least my brain.
Root Rot , in an almost John Burnside sort of way, creates a slow burn feeling of dread. This is perhaps not as obscure as Burnside often was but there is something, at least to me, that is similar. Me, comparing a writer to John Burnside, is high praise. His writing is close to perfection and so is this (see I wrote this twice).
How did this book make me feel? Creeped out. Not going camping or to anyone’s family cabin for a while that’s for sure. I also read this short novel slowly because I didn’t want it to end and because I was afraid of what was going to happen next.
Have no fear! Keep reading. I am going to look for more by the author. The link to the book above is to Barnes & Noble because this was recommended by the staff at their store in Wicker Park (Chicago).
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