Unearthing Family Secrets in the Carolina Soil
There’s something unsettling about coming home. The familiar suddenly feels foreign, the comforting becomes eerie. T. Kingfisher’s latest novel, “A House with Good Bones,” digs deep into this universal unease, transplanting it into the fertile soil of Southern Gothic horror.
Like kudzu creeping over an abandoned farmhouse, Kingfisher’s prose envelops the reader in a world where family secrets take root and bloom into nightmares. This isn’t just a haunted house story – it’s a tale of haunted lineages, of the ghosts we inherit along with our DNA.
A Rose by Any Other Name Would Smell as… Unsettling
Sam Montgomery, our protagonist, returns to her childhood home in North Carolina for what she expects to be a cozy visit with her mother. Instead, she finds a house transformed. Gone are the warm colors and cluttered charm, replaced by sterile white walls and an atmosphere of barely contained panic.
Kingfisher excels at building tension through seemingly innocuous details. A jar of teeth hidden beneath prize-winning rose bushes. Vultures circling overhead with unsettling regularity. A mother who jumps at shadows in her own home. It’s like finding a worm in an apple – suddenly, everything that once seemed wholesome is tainted.
Digging Up the Past (Literally)
As Sam investigates the source of her mother’s fear, she unearths a family history darker than the richest Carolina loam. Kingfisher weaves together elements of folk magic, generational trauma, and good old-fashioned Southern passive-aggression into a tapestry of horror that’s as funny as it is frightening.
The author’s background in biology shines through in Sam’s character. Her scientific mindset provides a grounding counterpoint to the increasingly supernatural events unfolding around her. It’s a clever narrative device that allows readers to maintain their suspension of disbelief even as the story ventures into more fantastical territory.
A Blooming Talent in Horror Fiction
T. Kingfisher, also known as Ursula Vernon, has been steadily making a name for herself in the horror genre. “A House with Good Bones” cements her place as a master of modern Gothic fiction. Fans of her previous works like “The Twisted Ones” and “What Moves the Dead” will find familiar themes explored here:
- The weight of family legacy
- The horror lurking beneath mundane surfaces
- A wry, often darkly humorous narrative voice
But “A House with Good Bones” feels more personal, more intimate. It’s a story about mothers and daughters, about the things we inherit whether we want them or not.
Characters That Grow on You (Like a Fungus, but in a Good Way)
Kingfisher’s characters are her strong suit, and “A House with Good Bones” is no exception:
- Sam: Our protagonist is delightfully relatable. Her scientific mind and dry wit provide much-needed levity as the story grows increasingly dark.
- Mom: A complex character whose fear and protectiveness drive much of the plot. Her relationship with Sam feels authentic, complete with the occasional eye-roll-inducing moment.
- Gail: The eccentric neighbor who knows more than she lets on. Her presence adds a welcome layer of mystery and folk wisdom to the story.
- Phil: The handyman with unexpected depths. His down-to-earth nature serves as a nice counterbalance to the supernatural elements.
A Garden of Earthly (and Unearthly) Delights
Kingfisher’s prose is a thing of beauty. She has a knack for descriptions that are simultaneously lyrical and unsettling:
“The roses exhaled their perfume into the humid afternoon air, and the only living thing around to smell it was yours truly.”
Her ability to blend horror and humor is on full display here. One moment you’re chuckling at a witty observation, and the next you’re shuddering at a particularly gruesome revelation. It’s a delicate balance, but Kingfisher walks the tightrope with aplomb.
Themes That Take Root
As the story unfolds, several themes begin to emerge:
- The weight of family legacy: How much of who we are is determined by our ancestors?
- The horror of the mundane: Everyday objects and routines take on sinister undertones.
- The power of nature: The roses in the story are both beautiful and terrifying, much like nature itself.
- The strength of female relationships: The bonds between women – mothers, daughters, friends – form the core of the story.
A Few Thorns Among the Roses
While “A House with Good Bones” is a strong entry in Kingfisher’s oeuvre, it’s not without its flaws:
- The pacing in the middle section can feel a bit sluggish at times.
- Some readers might find the blend of horror and humor jarring.
- The ending, while satisfying, might feel a bit abrupt for those hoping for more concrete resolutions.
Final Thoughts: A Bouquet of Gothic Delights
“A House with Good Bones” is a worthy addition to the Southern Gothic canon. Kingfisher has crafted a story that’s as much about family dynamics and personal growth as it is about supernatural horrors. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page, like the scent of roses on a warm summer night.
For fans of authors like Shirley Jackson, Grady Hendrix, or Carmen Maria Machado, this book is a must-read. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most terrifying monsters are the ones we bring home with us.