Reviews with content warning for Forced institutionalization - Mary: An Awakening of Terror

Mary surprised me in many ways. On its surface it seemed the exact kind of book I’d like, something dark and twisted with a female lead, and while I have read quite a few thrillers, this was true horror writing which was exciting.

Unfortunately a few things weren’t quite landing for me and I still don’t really know what it was - I enjoyed the plot to an extent and everytime i picked up the book I was waddling through fine, but it took me soooo long to actually push myself to finish it. This was meant to be a halloween read and I’m only finishing it now mid-December. I think I was just univested and the story felt like it wavered in too many directions. ALSO!!! absolutely fucking hated the whole cactus thing. I get it, horror should be gross and disturbing and we should be appalled by the actions of the group and the treatment/ownership of women’s bodies but yuck.

Negatives out of the way, I thought this was a great horror. So many times throughout I found myself flinching and making disgusted faces at the descriptive writing. I very often enjoy an unreliable narrator (especially when we’re aware of how whacko they are from the get-go) and it made it engaging trying to figure out what the fuck was going on with Mary pre-reveal

of her being Damon reincarnate

… and actually post-reveal too.
Thought the ending was great also and locked in for the last 30% in one sitting.

Ngl, I was feeling a little hmmm-ish about a man writing on such woman centred topics of menopause, female aging, societal views on women, etc. but it seemed very well researched and the afterword actually delves in on the author’s own discussion of his place and I liked that.

Content Warnings

kshertz's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This book was incredibly scary and also had very good humor and timing. I really enjoyed the author’s preface talking about his experience with his mother and Steven King and Carrie. I also appreciate the caretaking with the story for Mary and her background. I especially appreciate the afterword where the author does address my only concern with the book which was that he was a male writing about a female who is pre-menopausal having hot flashes. Great book, great idea, and great execution. It would be five stars, except for that I do think it was a little bit too long.

Content Warnings

alinalou's review

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

himpersonal's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Mary, you are my hero! I declare this so on behalf of all middle-aged, perimenopausal women living under a careless patriarchy. Nat Cassidy, your momma raised you right! Aside from your author's note, where your devotion to your mom was evident, I can only conclude she taught you well based on how you wrote Mary's transformation.

If I could, I would teach this book as part of a college-level women's studies or feminism class. There is so much symbolism all over the book, including the obvious, like the mirrors, the furies, the ants, the hot flashes, her Loved Ones, etc. I gave Mary and Nat an imaginary chest-bump every time she seethed against being called crazy. And I enjoyed rooting for and watching Mary transform from a nobody (not even she gave herself any consideration) to someone who is on the cusp of extraordinary. Her rage is what drives her, and she didn't even know she had any until she had to use it. I have so much optimism for Mary's future.

The afterword was worth sticking around for. I can't believe Cassidy started this book at age 13. Brilliant. Thank you for speaking on behalf of every woman who has ever been medically gaslit and/or subjected to male doctors who were dismissive of our pain. Thank you for celebrating all the invisible and overlooked women who were put out to pasture. Thank you for being a wonderful ally against the ageism women face, should we be lucky enough to live long enough to have to deal with it.

This was my first Cassidy book. I really look forward to getting to know more of this writer's works.

Content Warnings

disguisedposer's review

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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