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literaryhaunt 's review for:
House of Cotton
by Monica Brashears
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Monica Breashears, and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Let me get my feelings out of the way first: I LOVED this book. I can't stop recommending it to my friends, and although it's definitely not accurate to say "Oh, this is like Ginny and Georgia but also like "Get Out".... Those were the vibes for me and I feel like it's a valid comparison. I also must take a moment to say that I loved the narrator for this book and thought she did an absolutely stellar job.
On to my actual review of this book: This novel is an unforgettable and shocking exploration of the aftermath of the American plantation and the intersectionality of poverty, Blackness, and womanhood in the God-fearing south- Namely, East Tennessee. Having grown up there, trust and believe that that enough is all you need for a horror story. Nineteen-year-old Magnolia, broke and effectively an orphan, finds herself haunted by her overdrawn bank account, predatory landlord, and the ghost of her late grandmother Mama Brown. That is, until a mysterious, stranger named Cotton walks into her life and offers her a lucrative "modeling" job at his family's funeral home. Yes, yes, I know. This girl is 19, please forgive her.
As Magnolia accepts the offer, her problems only multiply. Cotton's requests become increasingly more strange, and Magnolia discovers that there's a lot more at stake than just her rent. Brashears' writing is so captivating, and the characters are vivid and believable (in that weird ass, funeral home having, crazy mountain people way). Magnolia is a relatable protagonist, and her journey is heart-wrenching and eye-opening. I really felt like the haunting ghost of Mama Brown serves as a crucial lifeline for Magnolia and a symbol of intergenerational trauma, and it was really thought provoking for me as the reader.
House of Cotton is a horror novel that is not for the faint of heart. It delves deep into the twisted depths of American history and its lasting effects on Black Americans. It's a book that will leave you reeling, thinking, grossed out, and yet- I can't say enough good things about it. Highly recommended for fans of horror, social commentary, and unique main characters.
Let me get my feelings out of the way first: I LOVED this book. I can't stop recommending it to my friends, and although it's definitely not accurate to say "Oh, this is like Ginny and Georgia but also like "Get Out".... Those were the vibes for me and I feel like it's a valid comparison. I also must take a moment to say that I loved the narrator for this book and thought she did an absolutely stellar job.
On to my actual review of this book: This novel is an unforgettable and shocking exploration of the aftermath of the American plantation and the intersectionality of poverty, Blackness, and womanhood in the God-fearing south- Namely, East Tennessee. Having grown up there, trust and believe that that enough is all you need for a horror story. Nineteen-year-old Magnolia, broke and effectively an orphan, finds herself haunted by her overdrawn bank account, predatory landlord, and the ghost of her late grandmother Mama Brown. That is, until a mysterious, stranger named Cotton walks into her life and offers her a lucrative "modeling" job at his family's funeral home. Yes, yes, I know. This girl is 19, please forgive her.
As Magnolia accepts the offer, her problems only multiply. Cotton's requests become increasingly more strange, and Magnolia discovers that there's a lot more at stake than just her rent. Brashears' writing is so captivating, and the characters are vivid and believable (in that weird ass, funeral home having, crazy mountain people way). Magnolia is a relatable protagonist, and her journey is heart-wrenching and eye-opening. I really felt like the haunting ghost of Mama Brown serves as a crucial lifeline for Magnolia and a symbol of intergenerational trauma, and it was really thought provoking for me as the reader.
House of Cotton is a horror novel that is not for the faint of heart. It delves deep into the twisted depths of American history and its lasting effects on Black Americans. It's a book that will leave you reeling, thinking, grossed out, and yet- I can't say enough good things about it. Highly recommended for fans of horror, social commentary, and unique main characters.