Sorrowland is a genre-bending mix of adult fiction, sci-fi, and magical realism, following the story of Vern, a pregnant teenager who escapes a Black commune into modern society, only to face haunting challenges in the woods with her twins. The plot is described as twisty, dark, and violent, with elements of horror, fantasy, and LGBT themes woven throughout. The writing style is praised for being unique, imaginative, and powerful, delving into themes of racism, corruption, and dark history with a surrealist bent.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, with Vern as a complex protagonist and supporting characters who offer compassion amid darkness.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is beautiful and engaging, blending horror with immersive descriptions, though it can also be intricate and challenging.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Vern, a teenager fleeing a tyrannical cult, grappling with her identity and motherhood while facing horrific challenges.

Setting:

The setting oscillates between a foreboding wilderness and the dark interior of a controlling cult, creating a tense atmosphere.

Pacing:

Pacing is inconsistent, starting strong but slowing down in the middle before picking up momentum towards the conclusion.

THE CHILD GUSHED out from twixt Vern’s legs ragged and smelling of salt. Slight, he was, and feeble as a promise. He felt in her palms a great wilderness—such a tender thing as he could never be parse...

Notes:

The protagonist, Vern, is a 15-year-old black albino who is seven months pregnant with twins.

Vern escapes from a cult called Cainland, which has a dark and abusive history.

As she escapes into the woods, Vern develops a mysterious illness that alters her physically.

The story explores heavy themes like race, sexuality, poverty, and misogyny.

Vern's character is complex, initially distrusting but experiences character development throughout the story.

The book features a found family dynamic between Vern, her twins, and her friends, Gogo and Bridget.

Gogo is a nonbinary Native American character who supports Vern in her journey.

Vern struggles with generational trauma, both hers and her mother's, often experiencing intense hallucinations.

The narrative weaves in elements of body horror and magical realism, showcasing Vern's transformation.

The book touches on topics of social injustice and systemic oppression in the context of American history.

The romantic relationship between Vern and Gogo avoids common tropes often seen in LGBT literature.

The writing style is described as poetic and engaging but can be heavy and dark, full of detailed imagery.

Sorrowland blends multiple genres, including horror, fantasy, and speculative fiction, making it hard to categorize.

Vern's children, Howling and Feral, are raised in the wild without conventional societal influences before meeting others.

The book has been praised for its focus on themes of empowerment and self-discovery amidst adversity.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers for Sorrowland include themes of rape, torture, abuse, self-harm, child abuse, death, and systemic racism.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, particularly involving a sapphic relationship that develops throughout the story.

From The Publisher:

A TIME 100 Must-Read Book of 2021

A New York Times Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Book of 2021

Named a Best Book of 2021 by NPR, The New York Public Library, Publishers Weekly and more!

A triumphant, genre-bending breakout novel from one of the boldest new voices in contemporary fiction.

Vern-seven months pregnant and desperate to escape the strict religious compound where she was raised-flees for the shelter of the woods. There, she gives birth to twins, and plans to raise them far from the influence of the outside world.

But even in the forest, Vern is a hunted woman. Forced to fight back against the community that refuses to let her go, she unleashes incredible brutality far beyond what a person should be capable of, her body wracked by inexplicable and uncanny changes.

To understand her metamorphosis and to protect her small family, Vern has to face the past, and more troublingly, the future-outside the woods. Finding the truth will mean uncovering the secrets of the compound she fled but also the violent history in America that produced it.

Rivers Solomon's Sorrowland is a genre-bending work of Gothic fiction. Here, monsters aren't just individuals, but entire nations. It is a searing, seminal book that marks the arrival of a bold, unignorable voice in American fiction.

Ratings (9)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (4)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (52):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (40)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

Carissa

Loved It

3 months

4.5*

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Sorrowland

Rivers Solomon