The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir

We’ve all had those nights. You know the ones—where you toss and turn, drifting in and out of consciousness, only to wake up feeling like you’ve run a marathon. But what if those restless nights weren’t just in your head? What if something sinister was lurking in the shadows, waiting for you to close your eyes?

That’s the premise of Hildur Knútsdóttir’s haunting new novel, “The Night Guest.” Set against the backdrop of moody, atmospheric Reykjavík, this psychological horror story will have you questioning your own sanity—and maybe checking under the bed before you turn out the lights.

A Familiar Face in the Mirror

Meet Iðunn, our protagonist. She’s exhausted. Bone-deep, can’t-keep-her-eyes-open exhausted. And nobody seems to believe her. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.

Knútsdóttir taps into a universal fear here—the terror of not being in control of your own body, of not being believed when you know something’s wrong. It’s a feeling that’ll resonate with anyone who’s ever been dismissed by a doctor or told to just “sleep it off.”

The Spiral Begins

As Iðunn’s symptoms worsen, we’re drawn into her increasingly paranoid world. The author’s prose is spare and effective, mirroring Iðunn’s mental state. Short, punchy chapters ratchet up the tension, leaving us as disoriented as our protagonist.

Key Moments That’ll Make Your Skin Crawl:

• The first time Iðunn wakes up with unexplained injuries
• Her discovery of the mysterious shed at Grandi harbor
• The chilling realization about the neighborhood’s missing cats

Each revelation peels back another layer of the mystery, drawing us deeper into Iðunn’s nightmare. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion—you want to look away, but you just… can’t.

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Knútsdóttir plays with our expectations masterfully. Is Iðunn experiencing some kind of dissociative disorder? Is she being gaslighted? Or is there something truly supernatural at work?

The ambiguity is maddening (in the best way possible). Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the author throws another curveball. It’s the literary equivalent of that creepy sound you hear at 3 AM—probably nothing, but… what if?

A Cast of Questionable Characters

While Iðunn is our primary focus, the supporting cast adds layers of complexity to the story:

• Már – The charming love interest with a connection to Iðunn’s past
• Stefán – The sleazy ex who just won’t take no for an answer
• Ásdís – The well-meaning doctor who might be in over her head

Each character serves as a mirror, reflecting different aspects of Iðunn’s fragmented psyche. Are they helping her, or are they part of the problem? The lines blur as the story progresses, leaving us as unsure as Iðunn herself.

The Ghost of Sisters Past

At its core, “The Night Guest” is a story about grief, guilt, and the shadows our past casts on our present. The specter of Iðunn’s dead sister, Ingunn, looms large over the narrative. It’s a presence felt more than seen, influencing every decision Iðunn makes.

Knútsdóttir handles this theme with a deft touch. The relationship between the sisters is revealed in fragments, each memory adding another piece to the puzzle. It’s a masterclass in how to weave backstory into a present-day narrative without resorting to clunky exposition.

A Descent into Madness (Or Is It?)

As Iðunn’s grip on reality loosens, the line between past and present, dream and waking, blurs. The author’s use of unreliable narration is particularly effective here. We’re never quite sure if we can trust what Iðunn is telling us—or if she can even trust herself.

This uncertainty creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that permeates the entire novel. It’s like being trapped in a funhouse mirror maze, where every reflection is a distorted version of reality.

The Horror of the Mundane

One of the most unsettling aspects of “The Night Guest” is how Knútsdóttir finds terror in the everyday. A smartwatch becomes an instrument of paranoia. A neighborhood Facebook group turns sinister. Even a simple walk along the harbor takes on an air of menace.

It’s this grounding in the familiar that makes the horror so effective. We can see ourselves in Iðunn’s shoes, and that’s what makes her descent so chilling. There’s a “there but for the grace of God go I” quality to her story that’ll have you side-eyeing your own routine.

The Icelandic Atmosphere

While the story could theoretically take place anywhere, the Icelandic setting adds an extra layer of isolation and otherworldliness. The long, dark winters and the ever-present sea create a backdrop that feels both beautiful and slightly menacing.

Knútsdóttir doesn’t overdo the local color, but there are enough touches to remind us we’re in a place where the boundary between the natural and supernatural has always been a bit… permeable.

A Slow Burn That Ignites

If you’re looking for jump scares and gore, “The Night Guest” might not be your cup of tea (or shot of brennivín, as the case may be). This is psychological horror at its most cerebral, a slow-burning fuse that leads to an explosive conclusion.

The pacing is deliberate, mirroring Iðunn’s gradual loss of control. It might test the patience of some readers, but those who stick with it will be rewarded with a gut-punch of an ending that’ll leave them reeling.

Comparisons and Influences

While “The Night Guest” is uniquely its own beast, there are echoes of other works that fans of psychological horror will appreciate:

• The creeping dread of Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle”
• The blurring of reality and fantasy found in Kazuo Ishiguro’s “The Unconsoled”
• The exploration of grief and guilt reminiscent of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary”

Knútsdóttir takes these influences and creates something fresh and uniquely Icelandic, a testament to her skill as a storyteller.

Lost in Translation? Not Here

A quick nod to Mary Robinette Kowal’s excellent translation work. It’s no easy feat to capture the nuances of one language in another, especially when dealing with the subtle psychological elements at play here. Kowal manages to preserve the rhythm and atmosphere of Knútsdóttir’s prose, allowing English-language readers to fully immerse themselves in Iðunn’s world.

Final Thoughts: A Haunting That Lingers

“The Night Guest” is not an easy read, but it is a rewarding one. Knútsdóttir has crafted a story that burrows under your skin, taking up residence in the darkest corners of your mind. It’s a book that demands to be read with the lights on, but one that will follow you into your dreams long after you’ve turned the final page.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Fans of slow-burn psychological horror
• Readers who enjoy unreliable narrators and mind-bending plots
• Anyone who’s ever felt gaslit by the medical establishment
• Those who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven stories

Who Should Maybe Skip It?

• Readers looking for fast-paced, action-packed horror
• Those who prefer their narratives neatly resolved
• Anyone currently struggling with sleep issues (seriously, maybe wait on this one)

The Verdict

“The Night Guest” is a masterful exploration of the thin line between sanity and madness, reality and nightmare. Hildur Knútsdóttir has announced herself as a major talent in the world of psychological horror, crafting a debut novel that lingers long after the last page is turned.

So, grab a copy, settle in for a long night, and prepare to question everything you thought you knew about what happens when you close your eyes. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself checking your step count in the morning. Sweet dreams, dear reader. You’re going to need them.