This was one of the heaviest, most immersive books I have ever read.
First off, the story will grip you immediately. It is so horrific and built so gradually, you can’t look away. The main character, Inara, who tells the story to the FBI, is less than forthcoming and takes a lot of detours, instead of answering things directly. We learn about her life before she came to New York, after, and finally, about life in the Garden, with the other women. All the horrific things that happened in the Garden, at the hands of the Gardener and his sons.
As soon as you start reading, you’ll realize – 1) Inara is not the typical victim and 2) The Gardener is not the typical killer. The subverting of expectations is the strongest trait of this book, and understanding their motivations is like glimpsing into a whole other world. It can be said that this book is a case study for – obsession, compulsion, delusion, trauma, belonging, found family, and so on. All of these little themes interwoven into the canopy of this twisted little tale are an unforgettable part of the story. They all but guarantee that I’ll be thinking of these people long after I have finished the book.
As I read it, more and more, I felt like one of the girls, stuck in this bizarre world with its own rules. It was so intricate, populated by such real characters, it became difficult to read without feeling a bit suffocated and hopeless. But I still couldn’t stop reading. This is by far one of the hardest things you’ll ever read, and there are lots of triggers, so please, take care.
During the process, I loved, hated, feared, raged, everything. This is a psychologically complex and emotionally layered book. Exactly what I love to read. So if you like reading about serial killers, but from the victim’s perspective, this is a good book to read. But if you find topics such as SA, captivity, murder, etc., difficult to read, make sure you know what you’re getting in. There was no way I could have know this would be one of the hardest things I have ever read, and yet, I am glad I did.
The combination of incredible characters, a horrifyingly real setting, and a story that is so incredibly chilling, led me to conclude that this is one of the best books I read in 2023. The author really took me there, and at the end, I cried my little heart out. Now that’s catharsis!
Hands down, 5 stars. If any book deserves it, it’s this one.
-Reviewed by Violeta Nedkova
