Book Review: Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Lenore is the wife of steel magnate Henry, but ten years into their marriage, the relationship has soured and no child has arrived to fill the distance growing between them. Henry's ambitions take them out of London and to the imposing Nethershaw manor in the countryside, where Henry aims to host a hunt with society’s finest. Lenore keeps a terrible secret from the last time her husband hunted, and though they never speak of it, it still haunts their marriage.

The preparations for the event take a turn when a carriage accident near their remote home brings the mysterious Carmilla into Lenore's life. Carmilla, who is weak and pale during the day but vibrant at night; Carmilla who stirs up a hunger deep within Lenore. Soon girls from local villages begin to fall sick before being consumed by a bloody hunger.

Torn between regaining her husband's affection and Carmilla's ever-growing presence, Lenore begins to unravel her past and in doing so, uncovers a darkness in her household that will place her at terrible risk . . .

TEE'S THOUGHTS

I have many thoughts on Hungerstone, but I will tread carefully because I don't want to give anything away. Also, if this review seems scattered, it probably is, I tend to ramble when I really like a book, and things get jumbled because my thoughts are going in so many directions.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is based on the novel, Carmilla, by Sheridan Le Fenu, which is the book that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. This was one of the many reasons I really wanted to read Hungerstone. I haven't read Carmilla, so I can't say if it is a close adaptation or just based loosely as an idea. It wasn't that book, it was the Dracula mention that piqued my interest.

The other reason it spoke to me was the fact that it was Gothic Horror. I am a huge fan, I think I have even written several posts on the blog about Gothic Horror books, this love goes back to my reading Dracula long ago

 

I loved Hungerstone. I believe anyone with a love of Gothic Horror would. The book stayed true to its Gothic roots. Set outside of the English town of Sheffield ( oh hay Arctic Monkeys ! )

This story had the atmosphere that makes a gothic book. Foggy moors, a dark and haunting manor house. Brooding characters, both withdrawn and unpleasant. Definitely the type of people you would expect to find in a book written about Victorian times.

Main character Lenora is tragic, in a loveless marriage to Henry, who is a steel magnate. They have moved from London, to the middle of nowhere, Sheffield. Lenora has dreams that foretell the coming of the mysterious Carmilla, who, after a while, shows up when her carriage breaks down and she is invited into the manor home. Lenora finds Carmilla both unnerving and desirable. She is seductive and forbidden. We see Lenora's self-discovery with Carmilla take root at the time she needs it most.

As in most Gothic Horror, Hungerstone isn't the typical horror, where things jump out and scare you. It is horror that is felt in the creepiness of the surroundings and the actions of the characters. It is written in a beautiful prose that is addictive, almost deliciously so.