I initially came across this book because of the cover and then when I read the summary it sounded just like the sort of thing I enjoy. Literary, speculative, horror. I’m here for all of it.

Mothtown is about a boy named David who has never really fit in. The only person who truly understands him is his grandfather, going as far as communicating with him in strange clicks and pops. When Grandpa disappears, David is curious about where he went and starts investigating the concept of other worlds. He’s certain grandpa found his doorway. But his family is scared that David will disappear like his grandfather and the many others who have chosen to leave society behind.

We see the story through David’s eyes and he’s clearly an unreliable narrator. He sees only part of the story, doesn’t have all of the information, and has a very specific perception of things. It creates a purposefully disjointed, fever dream kind of narrative (similar to Awad, Broder, etc)

Ultimately, this reads like a book about someone’s descent into mental illness and the contemplation of ending one’s life. While the concept of becoming a mother is unique, I have seen mental health treated similarly. I’m not sure that there is enough in this book to make it stand out spectacularly. The writing is lovely and dream like and there are some good ideas. I just found myself left wanting a bit more.

Dnf @ 11%

The writing was too lyrical for my liking and I was not invested in any of the story. I didn’t like the characters and I was not looking forward to picking this up after I had started. It took me so long to get this far. It just was not for me.

Thank you Angry Robot & Caroline Hardaker for this read.

This book took me a while to get through. Despite having both the audiobook & ebook, I didn't find myself hooked.

The imagery was really great and I feel this was a very slow burn. It was strange and unqiue, I found the protagonist intriguing.

The plot and ending was different to what i expected and I did enjoy the unique ride this provided, despite being on the stranger side and slower side.

The narrator was excellent in this audiobook.

Mothtown is the second novel by British poet and author, Caroline Hardaker. The audio version is narrated by Alan Cammish. David Porter is ten years old when he sees his grandfather, Frank for the last time. Dr Francis Porter is a researcher of multiverses working in the Superstring Theory and Dark Matter studies area of the University of York’s Department of Physics. He never returns from his annual mid-winter expedition in search of his doorway to salvation, and David’s father tells his family that Frank died in hospital. But that feels wrong to David.

David and Grandad shared a secret language of clicks and bumps and hums, as set our in their copies of the Verbatinea. And now, at Grandad’s house, the Key Verbatinea, Grandad’s yellow duffel bag and his favourite scratchy orange jumper with the brass sparrow button, are missing. David is certain that Grandad must still be out there somewhere, and the longer he’s absent, the more certain he is that his grandfather found his doorway.

People are already accustomed to people going missing, something dubbed The Modern Problem, The epidemic. The disappearing. The eloping. The exodus, and friends and family members become door-steppers, carrying photos and searching, posting “Have you seen…” bills everywhere. Are the piles of bones and feathers the remains of those gone? Those depressed souls who don’t make that exodus from their lives but feel misfit, are often gathered by smiling Blue Pilgrims, stashed in Blue Houses, neatly erasing the problem for authorities?

David’s family are uneasy about his focus on Frank’s work and his father seems determined to obstruct his search, but David knows that Hidden Worlds, the book Frank wrote, will lead him to the doorway. Because David knows he doesn’t belong in this world either.

We are told that a talented author will show rather than tell, but there’s not really enough of either here, and the disjointed feel is not just a product of the dual timeline narrative: characters seem to turn up haphazardly, things happen which seem like they ought to be significant to the plot, but connections are never made, and resolution is lacking.

Is David (definitely an unreliable narrator) turning into a bird? A moth? In the end, who knows, or cares! The misuse of personal pronouns grates, and parts read like a fever dream or the paranoid ramblings of a deluded person, becoming rather tiresome. This is a tale that might appeal to fans of dystopian sci-fi.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Dreamscape Media

Atmospheric in a way that makes you wonder what day it is, where you are, and if you're even alive. The foggy-headed feeling throughout this audiobook wasn't entirely pleasant for me, but I imagine that in the exact right headspace, this could be a mindblower.

I am not entirely sure how to describe Mothtown, but I know I loved it. The reader just has to give in and not try to understand everything. The sooner you realise just how unreliable the narrator is, the better. The atmosphere was great and really got to my bones. I am sure that it would be a great hit with anyone looking for a fever dream of a novel, and those who enjoy not being sure if they are reading a magical realism novel or a psychological lit fic.
The narrator was really great, his performance was quite emotional but also convincing. It can be difficult to do well on performing a child and an adult on the edge, and I was really impressed that it worked so well.

At times dreamlike and at others an urgent longing, Mothtown is existing in a world where you don't belong.

Mothtown is a mishmash of sci fi, horror, coming of age, all tied together in some lush prose.

In a grey world of disconnect and loneliness, all David wants is to feel a connection, but he hasn't felt seen since before his grandfather disappeared.
Did he find his door? Did he grow wings? Or did he just die as everyone tells David that he did.

Weird and hazy, this book leaves you wondering even after its finished.

Is this a tale of mental health, a family who can't connect, and falling through the cracks of society or is it about alternative worlds, doors and timelines that belong elsewhere? Mothtown lets you contemplate both.

With a narrator that gave David a perfect aching loneliness, this audiobook was the perfect way to digest this book.

Mothtown was a surreal experience that I had to take my time with. Definitely a book I'll come back to.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an Audio arc of this book

This book is nothing like I thought it would be. First the audiobook review. The narrator was fantastic but this is one of the rare books for which the audiobook was extremely hard for me to follow. I'm not sure what the issue was but I had to repeat a lot of it and even started over at the halfway mark because I just couldn't get invested. That may have just been a me problem though.

I actually really liked the writing style and the slower more meandering pace of the plot. It was a very heavy, very sad book so if you are looking for something more on the spooky or atmospheric side of things I don't think this is your best bet. The character development was amazing and it's one of those books you could read again knowing what you know and get a completely different perspective on. But if I do reread it, it will be with a physical copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I am really torn between giving this audiobook a 3 star or a 4 star, but i will go with a 4.

Things I loved: Caroline Hardaker's writing style was lush and intense, describing David Porter's sights, sounds, smells and feelings. The writing has a sort of claustrophobic physicality that I felt i was WITH David as he goes through the search for his grandfather and his own place in this world. The style reminds me of one of my favorite gothic horror authors, Catherine McCarthy, who perfectly captures an enveloping sense place and time.

I also deeply appreciated Hardaker's respectful description of David's mental illness, his despair and discomfort, his paranoia and confusion. It was heartrending. And Alan Cammish's narration was so emotional, capturing David's immaturity and pain, I teared up at many parts!

Things I did NOT love: This is just one thing, I had no idea what was really happening. Like Ever. An unreliable narrator to the umpteenth power. Why did no one speak to David? Why did everyone say he is different? How was he different? Did he vandalize the stage? Was he changing or was he just insane? By the time I finished the book, I was more confused than when I started. What happened? But this is David's story, David's confusion, and I was THERE.

So either David is the first to enter another realm of humanity, or humanity itself is on the edge of an apocalyptic precipice, or David Porter is alone and lost in the forfeiture of his own humanity.

I recommend this book solely on the weight of its immersive bafflement.

As a child, David could tell something was wrong. The kids in school spread rumours of missing people, nests of bones, and bodies appearing in the mountains. His sister refused to share what she knew, and his parents turned off the TV whenever he entered the room. The only person who shared anything at all with him, his beloved grandpa, disappeared without a goodbye. Mum and Dad said he was dead. But what about the exciting discovery Grandpa had been working on for his whole life? Now twenty six, David tried to solve the mystery he’d been pondering about his entire life.

Even after finishing this book, I couldn’t be 100% sure that I fully understood it. It was so full of metaphors, I never could confirm if Dave experienced some of the things in real life or just in his mind.

What I fully grasped from the story, however, was the vibe. It was so atmospheric and told in such a claustrophobic way, I understood Dave’s state of mind. In some ways, the book reminded me of OA, the Netflix TV series, where a character similarly believed she came from a different realm and got stuck in this one.

Aside from all the horror elements, Dave’s journey to find a place where he’d belong and a skin that would fit him was relatable. This made the bizarre events and interactions he had somewhat oddly understandable. The topic of metamorphosis or transformation also kept coming up, and wouldn’t this be everyone’s dream - to be able to transform into a more superior version of ourselves and somehow thrive in our world?

This was one of those books that didn’t need me to fully understand to be able to appreciate. One small regret I had was that I listened to the audiobook and found out that the print version was supposed to have accompanying illustrations throughout, so I felt like I missed out on some of the experience!

I have a feeling this won’t be the last book I read from the author. I’d really recommend it to anyone who wishes to be transported into a bizarre, mysterious world, full of creepy elements.

I not only found the synopsis of Mothtown intriguing, but let’s talk about that cover! Parts mystic and creepy, but with a dreamy disconnected element. I have to admit it was a big pull for me and having listened to the novel it is perfectly suited to the story.

The story begins with young David, revealing a dysfunctional family unit that is unable to communicate effectively with each other. David’s whole world revolves around his relationship with his grandfather and their secret code of communicating. When his grandfather leaves for a trip and does not return, David begins to question his world. Disappearances are common and yet his family and others do not discuss what is really happeni
ng. The novel begins to slip back and forth between “after” and “before” focusing on young and adult David.
There are parts of this story where I felt lost in a brain fog and others that I could feel a connection to. This is not a light read and requires focus to truly comprehend. The audio production is done incredibly well, but I would recommend reading the novel. There were parts that I had to rewind and listen to again in order to understand when my focus had been diverted.

Interesting story, interesting concept but I dont think it was a book for me.
The book was written in a weary weird creepy way and just made you feel weird.
I’m sure loads of people would enjoy reading it, unfortunately it was not for me.

The narration was not for me, the voice and story didn't keep me hooked. In about an hour into the book I was finally getting interested to know the characters and it that part was actually beautifully written. But then again I just lost it.

Even after reading 30-40 % it wasn't really clear where the story was going and I feel it is definitely a good portion of book to understand atleast what's happening. This book was total chaos, maybe it might work for others but it just didn't work for me. Not the narration, not even the story of even the characters.

Might be my first book on Netgalley which left me bewildered and disliking the book at all. I will say that the prose is beautiful although the plot didn't interest me, what did not work for me can work for other readers.

Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for this audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I’m not quite sure what I just listened too.

I was really intrigued by the synopsis; the “modern problem” people disappearing because they are looking for a door to another world. Some of them show up again but dead and on strange display.

I don’t feel like I got enough background on the disappearances or history on when it started. Mainly because it was told from the point of view of a 10 year old whose grandfather disappeared. I thought maybe I’d get some answers towards the end, once David (the main character) had become an adult. But I was left confused.

Great narration! I think this could have been good, I just didn’t quite understand and the ending left me a little lukewarm.

This was a super weird read and I couldn't really get into it. I am not sure if that was a me problem or a genre problem. I don't think it was an author issue, so I will give Caroline Hardaker another shot.

#Mothtown
#NetGalley

I struggled with this one.  If speculative horror is your thing, this may be the book for you. I found myself drifting off while listening and not following, having to back up then getting lost in the narration again.  Maybe this would have been different had it been a physical or ebook but it didn't work for me as an audio.  

The story moves between 'the before' and 'the after', where David is a young man, then an adult. David has a deep relationship with his grandfather and is devastated when he disappears. However a lot of people disappear in his neighborhood and are coming back in pieces. As a child his grandfather used to read stories to him about a magical world and they would communicate in a secret language, after awhile David becomes convinced that his grandfather is now in this world. As an adult he attempts to find him.

Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Alan Cammish
Content: 4.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars

David always could tell there was something wrong. In school, there were rumors about missing people. His parents always turned off the TV when he entered the room. They protected him from some awful truth, apparently. The only person in the family who understood him was his grandfather. But he, too, one day disappeared without saying goodbye.

The novel is a blend of more genres, but the one that stands out is literary horror. As we read, we often feel that we don’t fully understand what we’re reading. The novel has a dark, almost suffocating atmosphere. We often await what comes next on the next page (or in the next few minutes of listening). There is no blood, zombies, or monsters in the story. There are no ghosts or other creatures. The creepiness comes mostly from the writing itself.

Mothtown is a very well-written book, constantly building suspense and leaving us in the dark. Throughout the entire reading, we perceive that something has not been told to us, that there is something important we don’t know.

Caroline Hardaker is a talented author. I have to check her other work.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

I have mixed feelings about this story. It's a very vivid description of a mental illness, especially the disassociation, but at the same time it's like a sci-fi book. While this guy's family was aware of his illness and thoughts that came with it, they made me wonder if they could do more to get him treatment. After all, grandpa appeared to have similar type of issues.

Hardaker's storytelling is mesmerizing. Darkness of the story was amplified by words she chose. I cannot get over the scene she described the boy smelling the rotten orange before he had his first meeting in London. I might want to reread this book sometime later to see if I'm going to like it more

A mysterious phenomenon is occurring, people all over are disappearing; leaving behind their belongings in the forest, but no physical bodies. At the same time there is a strangeness about the place where David lives, odd people arrive as if on a pilgrimage leaving flowers and offerings. David’s Grandad is a research scientist at the university. They’ve always had a special bond, so when David is told he’s dead, he is suspicious and soon finds his grandfather's travelling items and some books are missing. He knows his grandad looked sick, yet seemed determined to go on a research trip last time he saw him. Is he really dead, or just gone?

A darkly poetic, gothic horror, set in the dystopian modern day. Mothtown is eerie; beautiful and sinister all at once, a dark and winding surrealist tale of a boy trying to find his grandfather, fathom what is truth of the world around him and where he belongs. This book really pushes the reader to look at the world through David’s eyes of confusion, fear and loss. I am really hoping there is more to come from this author as I adored this.

The narrator does a fantastic job conveying David’s character amongst others, making it easy to differentiate each persona and immersing you into David’s world.

The first question I find asking myself after finishing this book is “What the frack did I just read?” Well, technically, I listened to the audiobook. So, the question should actually be, “What the frack did I just listen to?”

Honestly, I don't even know where to start this review. Part of me wants to say this book is terrible because it spends too much time on beautiful prose and not enough time on plot. But, that wouldn’t be the whole truth. This book is like a fever dream. Twenty percent into the book, I wanted to stop because I still had no clue where the plot was going, but I stuck it out because the prose was beautiful. Kill me now with my hypocrisy.

Mothtown is a book about David Porter and his adventures with his family and the loss of both his grandmother and grandfather. David was eight years old when his grandmother died and ten years old when his grandfather died. David’s grandfather was his favorite person in the world, so the loss of his grandfather hits David harshly. Being only ten years old, he doesn’t really know how to deal with the situation. Unfortunately, his parents aren’t much help because they have trouble dealing with their feelings as well.

This book starts out sounding like a fantasy adventure through the deep dark realm of Mothtown. It is told in alternating timelines simply titled “Before” and “After.” It’s also told from the completely unreliable perspective of David. I didn’t understand what was going on in this book until about the thirty percent mark. After that I had an inkling of an idea, but I wasn’t completely sure until I was eighty percent into the book.

This book is heavy. It is heavy in prose. It’s heavy in subject matter, and it’s amazingly heavy in imagery. The pacing is incredibly slow, and the story unfolds at a snail's pace. However, it is insanely unique and succeeds where books like The Midnight Library fail. The book would really benefit from a little downsizing. It feels like the plot goes on for far too long.

Also, that ending had me all in my emotions. First, I was emotional because my predictions about the plot were true. Second, my emotional connection to David made the conclusion of the plot astoundingly heartbreaking. Poor Davey. He found his doorway to the other world in the end.

One more thing, I owe an apology to Michael. I thought he was a charlatan.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes descriptive prose, novels in verse, magical realism, and mind-bending books.

3.5/5 Stars