Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Cherry Robbers.

I haven't read the authors previous novel so I went into this with an open mind.

I'm intrigued by novels featuring sibling relationships so I was pretty excited to dive into this, but other than the great writing, I was less than wowed by the narrative.

The premise had promise but there is nothing Gothic-y or spooky about the story.

When people use the word 'gothic' I don't think they really know what it means, to paraphrase the great Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride when he says to Vizzini every time he uses 'inconceivable.'

The narrative consists of personal journals written by Sylvia Wren, an elusive and famous artist who was one of the famous Chapel sisters.

She details the loss of her five sisters to an unnamed illness, a tragedy that shattered her family and herself, which led to her new identity and life as an artist.

The narrative is bogged down with filler and superfluous details of weddings, and dresses, while the not so subtle themes of mental illness, child neglect, and the expectations of a patriarchal society hovers within each line.

The terrible illness that befalls the sisters is never named but it's not hard to figure out what the author is trying to say; that women are ignored and disregarded, nothing more but vessels to bear children and run the household.

I wished I liked the Chapel sisters more; I didn't dislike them but I didn't really connect with any of them, perhaps Sylvia, but as a character she always felt at a remove from the reader, but perhaps that's the point.

As the lone survivor of her troubled family, she no longer considers herself a Chapel, and is relating the events of her previous life as if she was a spectator.

Foreboding and foreshadowing lives on practically every page, and Sylvia already tells the reader what will happen to her sisters so there's no suspense, no drama; she's just relating the events that will lead to each loss.

It took me a long time to finish this because the pacing was so slow.

I think some readers would enjoy this, especially if they enjoy long expositions and background information.

A uniquely dark, feminist, southern gothic story that had me on the edge of my seat. It has rich characterization and is absolutely compelling and hard to put down. I'm extremely impressed.

My Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐/ 5 stars

This is a historical fiction/mystery with gothic tones with strong female lgbt+ characters, loosely based on Sarah Winchester and artist Georgia O’Keefe’s lives. It is a duo POV about Iris Chapel (second youngest daughter and heiress of a firearms empire) in the 50’s and Sylvia Wren, an elderly female painter living in New Mexico in 2017. A journalist thinks they are the same person, the latter a version of Iris Chapel, running away from her past where all 5 of her sisters died mysteriously (4 after their first sexual experiences with men; 1 drowned). Iris’s mother had believed the ghosts of their house were victims of Chapel guns, weapons of war and she was silenced by being sent away to asylum as “women were not heard” then.

I loved the ghostly/eerie vibes, the defiant daughters, and Belinda’s story is so tragically heartbreaking. There were way too many sisters, in which some of them bled into the others. It would have been just as impactful with even 3 sisters. Other than showing how destructive it was to Belinda’s body, it made the book seem so much longer than it needed to be. Even though you know the outcome of the sisters early on, you are still sad when you read about their hopeful stories. The worst character in the book is probably the family doctor (toxic mansplaining and gaslighting) - I wanted to throw my kindle straight across the room whenever he came on the page. Highly recommend if you love gothic novels.

Thank you to Mariner, Harper books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

It is out on May 17, 2022!

This title. Wow.

I read this when netgalley first sent it my way, absorbed it and left it for a few months to think about it. I’ve just finished another read through thinking that I must have over hyped it as nothing else has come close but no, this is just that good.

Characters you absolutely love, a rich environment, separate timelines that expand the plot without muddying any of the details. A gothic fiction that draws on historical American families whilst also depicting feminism, family, sexuality, grief and expectations this book manages to do just about everything and at no point does any of this feel in your face, tired or over indulgent. One of my favourite reads of 2021 and my favourite that I’ve read so far 2022. I cannot wait for this to come out and to see that stunning cover in person, and buy a physical copy or two.

Simply incredible, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic and Shirley Jackson.

I love the premise of this book. It makes for such an interesting read and the author did such a good job. The story was so well-written and I loved the dimensions to the different characters.

This was an enthralling read…Sylvia is appealingly complex and her history has formed her. A gothic thriller that will capture you and not let go.
Many thanks to Mariner Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A very intense, gothic story. Creepy, interesting storyline. Definitely kept my interest. Comparable to Elizabeth Hand or Shirley Jackson. Look forward to more by the author.

I really liked the feministic slant on this book. It is a book that I will suggest to my Women's History students when it is published. I really liked the idea of escaping, but untimely needed to reckon with your past.

The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker: I won't lie I DNF'd this one. The description said it would be a "Gothic ghost story with a fiery feminist zeal" but there was so much foreshadowing and so little action that I just wanted it over with.

I really don't know how to describe this novel apart from saying that I went in ABSOLUTELY blind based off a plotless recommendation from a friend and could not be happier I did so. This is ABSOLUTELY a feminist gothic with elegant and appealing prose and worth the read!

This gripping novel by Sarai Walker is one of the most heartbreaking ones I have read. Incorporating really good elements of magical realism that drive the plot, this book thrives on sadness, loss, emptiness, and wonder. All of these emotions are portrayed in a nearly perfect way in each character, making them distinct and well-developed.

The story stays interesting all throughout, despite knowing the resolution in the beginning. This happens because the characters play off each other in a very engaging way and the magical realism elements still keep their mystery in every scene.

I loved the potratal of women’s health and its perception during the 1950s, as well as the different types of love the story incorporates: familial love, self-love, queer love, misunderstood love, and forced love. They tug at my heart and broke it open.

If you’re looking for an engaging and emotional story, this is the book for you.

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker from Mariner Books via NetGalley.

I am a huge fan of Dietland, so I was very excited to read Sarai Walker's latest book. She nailed it again! I've always been a sucker for gothic tales. Nathaniel Hawthorne may have been my first author crush. The Cherry Robbers was right up my alley.

Without giving too much away, you are reading the journals of famous reclusive artist, Sylvia Wren. When someone threatens to expose the secret she's been keeping almost her whole life, she decides to tell the story in her own words. It's tragic and a bit spooky. Is there a curse? Are those ghosts or just your mind playing tricks on you? You definitely feel the inspiration of Sarah Winchester and her mystery house. Maybe a little Georgia O'Keefe. If you enjoy beautiful gothic stories, this book is for you.

I DNF'd this book around 10 percent of the way through it. The formatting of this book really bothered me.

Calling out all the fans of Shirley Jackson, this book will quench your thirst for a creepy gothic thriller with an emphasis on loneliness and what grief can do to us

A gothic, ghost story full of impending doom.

The Cherry Robbers follows the curse of a wealthy firearms family and the woman who would do anything to escape.

I really enjoyed this book, from the easy to read writing style and beautiful cover through to the never ending twists and turns. The story moves quickly enough to keep you hooked, but you still find a way to really get attached to the main characters.

The Cherry Robbers was a very different read for me and I didn’t know what to expect.

If you love books with detailed character development, you’ll love this. The Cherry Robbers is written from the perspective of Iris Chapel, the fifth of six Chapel sisters haunted by a mysterious curse. The book follows Iris’ life until 20 and then picks up when she is 80 reflecting on her younger self.

The premise and plot is super compelling and while the end seems to abruptly cut off, I didn’t mind.

I received an ARC from the publisher. This was a haunting family drama with a feminist lens. I adored the main character Iris and there was this level of sadness and vulnerability where I just wanted to give her a hug. Iris is one of the heirs to a firearms dynasty and her mother is haunted by the victims of the guns sold by family’s company. And each of Iris’s sisters are cursed shortly after falling in love. The book covered many relevant themes of mental health and a woman’s role and standing in society. I loved the atmosphere created in book, the vulnerability of Iris shined through. This will also be a great book to read on a warm summer day. You just want to cheer for Iris and see her breakthrough all of the limitations placed on her.

I did feel like the books was a little lengthy and was at times the same tone and was a little one note. There were certain elements of the book that I felt were brushed over or was not explained all the way and left me with more questions.

If you love feminist ghost stories with an endearing protagonist then the Cherry Robbers will be the perfect book for you.

"Our maternal lineage is like a necklace wrapped so tightly around our necks that we can't breathe." I liked The Cherry Robbers more than I thought I would, considering it's not my normal sort of book. The feminist overtones of this gothic ghost story helped me find it engaging. The story is set in the 1950s inside a grand wedding cake house: "its cascading tiers and ornamental details, looked as if it were piped with white icing." It's the tale of six sisters, told from the perspective of Iris Chapel, who was the fifth daughter to be born.

"If i mixed a palette for June 1950, I'd start with vermilion, then add hematite, then a deep russet brown, the shades of my cotton pad the filter of my memory." Ostensibly a tale about a haunted/mad mother's influence on her brood, The Cherry Robbers interrogates feminism, class, sex and sexuality with a 1950s lens and a narrator who is herself coming of age. Iris is heavily connected to and influenced by her older sisters: "They were mesmerizing to look at, the four of them languid and beautiful, like swans in a marsh." Iris is also a budding artist, so this book is also about women's art, particularly abstract expressionist art, in the 1950s and beyond.

It's well-written and likely to appeal to anyone interested in women's lives. You'll like it if you liked The Virgin Suicides.

This book combines two of my favorite themes- Gothic vibes and family drama. Brace yourself for a twisted, spooky, atmospheric page turner. Well written and evenly paced, this novel delivers on paranormal spooks with an immersive cast of characters. Overall a solid read and a good time.

Do not be fooled by the cover, you're in for an amazing ghost story. This book is a gothic tale about six sisters that guarantees to make you scared. It's gripping and unique!