What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher | Spoiler-Free Review

 

"We did not run. If we ran then we would have to admit there was something to run from. If we ran, then the small child that lives in every soldier’s heart knew that the monsters could get us. So we did not run, but it was a near thing."

    What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is a somewhat fantastical retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. You do not need to know the source text in order to read this novella, but I would never suggest to skip over it entirely, because who would dare say that about Edgar Allen Poe's writing? However, If you're not wanting to be spoiled for the ending of What Moves the Dead I would suggest to read it first, and then pick up The Fall of the House of Usher afterward.

    This novella follows Alex Easton, a retired soldier who heads to the ancestral Usher home after receiving a letter from their childhood friend, Madeline, who admits she is gravely ill. Once they arrive, they are met with an onslaught of hellish things, including a dead lake, seemingly possessed hares, and Madeline and her older brother Roderick withering away before their very eyes. Can Easton discover what is plaguing the House of Usher before it destroys everyone in it? 

    Whew. I have to tell you, this book made me queasy. There are a lot of grotesque descriptions and imagery thrown about, so if you have a delicate stomach or you've just eaten, I would suggest maybe holding back on picking this particular story up. Also, you'll never look at mushrooms the same way again. I know a lot of people say that about Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (which I haven't read yet, but it's on my TBR) but its definitely true of this as well. 

    I feel like its possible to get a sort of literary whiplash from this story, because while it is horrific and gross and unsettling, it also employs a rather dry sense of humor, interspersed with a good amount of mushroom facts, and historical name drops. (Seriously, never would I have imagined to see the name Beatrix Potter, author of the Tales of Peter Rabbit children books, pop up in a horror novella. What a time to be alive.) You'll be grimacing in disgust one moment, and then a page later you'll be snorting in laughter. 

    If you're a fan of Gothic horror, fungal infestations, and witty narration, this book is for you.

    I gave this book a 6.29 score on CAWPILE, which comes out to 3.5 out of 5 stars.

---

I gotta say, I'm a little concerned I won't be able to sleep tonight. I'm gonna have nightmares of mushrooms taking over my house and Alien-ifying my parents. I think it's gonna be a while until I'm able to eat mushrooms again. 

Have you read What Moves the Dead? What did you think about it? Let me know in the comments, or tweet at me @AllyEmReads.

Until next time, friends!