In her latest novel Private Rites, Julia Armfield crafts a mesmerizing narrative that weaves together climate catastrophe, family dynamics, and religious cult horror. Following her acclaimed works salt slow and Our Wives Under the Sea, Armfield continues to demonstrate her mastery of atmospheric writing while pushing deeper into themes of sisterhood, inheritance, and the weight of secrets.
The Story
Set in a near-future where endless rain has reshaped both landscape and society, Private Rites by Julia Armfield follows three estranged sisters: Isla, a therapist struggling with divorce; Irene, wrestling with academic abandonment and relationship anxieties; and Agnes, the youngest, who serves coffee and swims to forget. When their father – a renowned architect who specialized in buildings that rise above the flood – dies, the sisters must navigate not only their grief but also the mysterious circumstances surrounding their mothers’ disappearances and a group of strangers who seem unnaturally interested in their lives.
Strengths
Atmospheric Brilliance
Armfield’s prose shines brightest in her ability to create atmosphere. The perpetual rain becomes a character itself, seeping into every scene with “rain like something sifted, turned halfway towards mist.” The author’s command of language transforms mundane descriptions into poetry, making even the most ordinary moments feel charged with significance.
Complex Characters
Each sister is expertly drawn, their personalities distinct yet believably shaped by shared trauma. Isla’s need for control, Irene’s defensive anger, and Agnes’s tendency toward emotional distance feel authentic and earned. The relationships between them are equally well-rendered, capturing the complicated way siblings can be both closest allies and deepest antagonists.
Architectural Metaphors
The novel’s use of architecture as metaphor is particularly effective. The father’s glass house that rises above the flood serves as both literal setting and powerful symbol for the ways families attempt to protect themselves from change, often at the cost of true connection.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing Challenges
The novel’s first half moves at a deliberate pace that some readers might find slow. While this allows for rich character development, it may test the patience of those expecting more immediate horror elements.
Complex Timeline
The narrative’s non-linear structure, while effective in building mystery, occasionally becomes difficult to follow. Some readers might need to backtrack to keep track of when certain events occurred.
Thematic Depth
Environmental Anxiety
Armfield tackles climate change not through direct commentary but through its effects on daily life – the normalization of flooded streets, the casual acceptance of power outages, the way people adapt to perpetual crisis. This approach makes the environmental horror feel more immediate and personal than many similar works.
Queer Identity
The book’s handling of queer relationships is refreshingly matter-of-fact. Characters’ sexualities are integral to who they are without becoming their defining characteristic, allowing for nuanced exploration of love and connection in crisis.
Comparison to Previous Works
While fans of Our Wives Under the Sea will recognize Julia Armfield’s talent for aqueous horror, Private Rites represents a significant evolution in scope and ambition. The intimate focus of her previous work expands here to encompass broader societal concerns while maintaining her signature attention to personal relationships.
Critical Analysis
Style and Structure
Armfield employs a unique narrative structure that alternates between sisters’ perspectives while occasionally zooming out to provide “City” interludes that offer a broader view of the drowning world. This technique effectively balances intimate character moments with larger apocalyptic themes.
Genre Boundaries
The novel defies easy categorization, blending elements of literary fiction, horror, and climate fiction. While this hybrid approach enriches the narrative, it may disappoint readers expecting a more straightforward genre experience.
Impact and Relevance
Private Rites by Julia Armfield arrives at a moment when its themes feel particularly resonant. Its exploration of how families navigate crisis, both personal and global, speaks to contemporary anxieties about climate change and societal breakdown while remaining deeply human in focus.
Final Verdict
While not without its challenges, Private Rites represents a significant achievement in contemporary speculative fiction. Armfield’s elegant prose, complex characterization, and deft handling of multiple genres create a compelling meditation on family, faith, and the future that lingers long after the final page.
Recommended for:
- Fans of literary horror
- Readers interested in climate fiction
- Those who enjoy complex family dynamics
- Admirers of atmospheric, character-driven narratives
Similar Works:
- The End We Start From by Megan Hunter
- Weather by Jenny Offill
- A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet
Private Rites confirms Julia Armfield’s place as one of today’s most interesting voices in speculative fiction, proving she can maintain her distinctive style while expanding her thematic reach. Despite occasional pacing issues, the novel’s ambitious scope and emotional depth make it a worthy addition to the growing canon of climate literature.