Heidi Julavits, "The Miniaturist"

A dangerous drive on a snowy mountain path strands two sisters in a strange cabin.

(from McSweeney’s Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories)

Partly this feels like a parody of those spooky, teen horror, Christopher Pike stories and novels I never really read. Lots of silly symbols and horror tricks, all written in an over-explaining and uncomplex style. Partly this isn’t a parody at all. The suspense and spookiness made me put it down in the wee hours of the evening, lest they become the wee hours of the bed.
It’s a little funny, and definitely scary at times. So, it’s a success on both counts.

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