The Winter People

The Winter People

2014 • 317 pages

Ratings57

Average rating3.6

15

Quality chills, excellent pacing, alternation of POV, the rare instance where separating the narrative into two timelines was engrossing rather than frustrating. Did not see the twist coming. 

Pet Sematary vibes: both trying to bring loved ones back from the dead and questionable indigenous rep elements 🫤.  There are a couple character decisions that really don't seem very reasonable unless you take into consideration it's necessary for the plot but I'm kind of used to the easy road showing up occasionally in the kind of horror I prefer.
I like that the original reason why the Devil's Hand land is cursed, why it is a portal for raising sleepers isn't really explained, some mystery is left.
I rarely achieve synchronicity in matching calendar timing with book themes but reading this in January added a little something to the experience. 
Between this and what I remember of The Invited, seems clear McMahon strongly identifies with mother/daughter, mother/child relationships, loss/grief and unique/powerful/magical women as social outcast/outsiders often defined by the mores of a bygone era, as themes. 
This also helps solidify a thought on my reading taste: I'm a lot more into historical fiction when it's a genre mashup, historical horror, historical mystery, etc. 
I'd warn off those with claustrophobia from reading this. 
⚠️Child death, suicide, animal death, period typical attitudes/treatment of possible mental health concerns

January 24, 2024Report this review