EYNHALLOW by @timmcgregor1 is a gorgeous piece of horror. It is THE most atmospheric and unique take on FRANKENSTEIN. I love it so very much!

Tim McGregor's "Eynhallow" is a captivating and deeply atmospheric spin on the Frankenstein mythos that transports readers to the stark, haunting landscape of the Orkney Islands at the close of the 18th century. This novel is not just a reimagining but an expansion, delving into the psyche of its characters against a backdrop of isolation, superstition, and the burgeoning terror of the unknown.

Agnes Tulloch, a character of formidable presence both physically and emotionally, serves as the novel's heart. Her life, marked by hardship and a stoic endurance, is profoundly altered by the arrival of Victor Frankenstein, a man whose secretive pursuits cast a long shadow over the island's inhabitants. McGregor’s portrayal of Agnes is both sympathetic and richly detailed, offering a lens through which the story's darker themes are explored.

It is more than a mere gothic tale. It is a story about the resilience of the human spirit, the quest for knowledge at any cost, and the immutable bond between a mother and her children. McGregor's choice to narrate the story from Agnes’s perspective adds a deeply personal dimension to the novel, allowing readers to feel her struggles, fears, and fleeting moments of hope.

In summary, "Eynhallow" is a remarkable novel that offers a fresh perspective on a classic story. It is a testament to Tim McGregor’s talent as a storyteller and his ability to breathe new life into familiar tales. Highly recommended for fans of the genre, this book is a haunting, beautifully written exploration of what it means to seek knowledge, to survive against the odds, and to face the monsters we create.

A retelling of Frankenstein that will stay with you long after the last page. Agnes is a crofters wife living on Eynhallow in the Orkneys when Victor Frankenstein comes to the island to complete his duty to his monster - to find him a wife. What follows is a haunting ghost story with a devastating twist.

Thank you so much NetGalley and RDS Publishing for providing this ARC. The book has been released as of February 22, 2024 however I just received the approval this week. Needless to say, a retelling of Frankenstein is right up my alley. This book was well written and if you are a fan of gothic vibes and monsters, I definitely think you should pick up this book.

Eynhallow by Tim McGregor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set in 1797, Eynhallow tells the poignant story of Agness Tulloch, a 29-year-old inhabitant of the eponymous island, through her own eyes. Married young to a widower for the promise of security, Agness had to forsake the affections of a young man she truly loved from her hometown. Years into her marriage, she finds herself trapped in a life with an abusive, alcoholic husband and the responsibility of caring for their four children. Despite her deep love for her children, Agness often catches herself gazing out at the sea, longing for the return of her first love, who vowed to earn her hand and rescue her from her lonely life.

However, the arrival that disrupts Agness's routine is not that of her former suitor, but rather a mysterious traveler named Victor Frankenstein, who seeks to fulfill a chilling obligation to someone or something. Tim McGregor weaves a narrative that is at once beautiful, haunting, and tragic, exploring themes of love, loss, and yearning.

Eynhallow offers more than a mere retelling of the classic Frankenstein; it imagines an alternative history for the actual uninhabited Scottish isle of Eynhallow, which has been devoid of inhabitants since 1851. McGregor's depiction of this small island is rich with historical intrigue. I was shocked to learn Eynhallow is a real place, something I didn’t know (thanks to my American ignorance) before opening this book. I’ve been googling ever since finishing the novel and have become quite obsessed with the island's history.

I was deeply captivated by this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys literary horror fiction or is intrigued by a new perspective on the classic tale of Frankenstein. McGregor's skillful storytelling invites readers to see an old story in a new light, making Eynhallow a memorable and highly recommended read.

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I trust in and love Tim McGregor’s writing so I was very excited to pick up this reimagining of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Eynhallow is a wonderful example of paying homage to a classic whilst reimagining the story from a fresh lens.
This is a case of Frankenstein’s story being told from a different POV.

The tiny island of Eynhallow set an eerie scene for the various creepy happenings that were to unfold. I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see how it would tie into the original Frankenstein. The overall atmosphere felt very bleak and unsettling.

I felt McGregor executed the historical aspect very well. It stayed true to the time in history whilst also making it feel accessible for those who may not normally pick up classics. Readers will be drawn in by the atmosphere and fascinating characters, particularly Agnes.

You do not have to read Frankenstein before delving into Eynhallow but I do feel it enriches the experience and adds further context.

Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for my eARC!

I’ve read some good books lately, but it’s been a while since I’ve gotten excited, like really excited over a read. What do you think you’re gonna get when you pick up this novel? This is 178 pages of pure magic. I need more novels from this author, so much more!

Agnes, oh dear Agnes. This is really her story, even if it’s a retelling. What a human to experience. It takes a LOT to make me shed a tear, and it happened thrice! This woman…you feel her struggles, her grief, and the weight on her shoulders. You also feel the love she has for her children and her dearest friend. The events that unfold in this story will pull hard and leave you reeling. It is amazing what a person can endure.

I can also finally brag that I learned a hand full of new words! It’s been ages!! A thought provoking, educational read that is also wonderfully captivating!

This may be a very personal opinion, but Tim McGregor can write a woman’s perspective beautifully.

There are a few triggers for this read: infant death, maternal death, domestic abuse.

Many thanks to Net Galley for the advance reading copy of this fascinating eBook. This review may contain spoilers.

I feel like this book is best matched to someone interested in literary horror and modern interpretations of the historical gothic—frankly, it feels very A24 “elevated folk horror” to me, very “the VVitch” in its effect. The strongest aspect of this book was the characterization of everyone but Victor and the Creature; the different relationships between the characters are lively and genuine, and the cast felt incredibly real. I think the weakest element is the underdevelopment of the characters lifted from Frankenstein, which feel more archetypal and less raw than they did the original novel. I also think the cover blurb describing it as a gift to monster lovers everywhere is a little misleading, and I would recommend people not take that comment into account when building expectation for what this book “is”. I think more development of the latter end of the book would have done this a lot of good. I don’t think I would pick up another book by this author, but I’m willing to be swayed to by a compelling premise if it comes.

When it comes to stories that adapt or retell aspects of Frankenstein, I consume it with one particular question in mind: what would Mary think of it? Of course, there is no way I can guarantee how she would or wouldn’t react to something—because of that, the guiding concept in this thought process for me is how much the work understands the original (this is not synonymous with accuracy: adaptation is more complicated than that), and how well-incorporated the author’s personal, unique perspective is into the piece. Mary saw one adaptation of Frankenstein in her lifetime, and by all accounts, she seemed delighted by it: even when critiquing the poor structure of the adaptation in a letter, she showered it with praise. In that regard, I try to follow her lead.

All that being said, what does this mean for my thoughts on Eynhallow? Frankly, this is an adaptation that isn’t so much “for me”, but I do think it is incredibly well-written, and most importantly, I do think it preserves the core of the original novel in a unique way. I think Mary would enjoy this, and I think she would respect the clear critiques of the mistreatment of women, especially in the way it seems to be influenced by the political commentary of her mother, proto-feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. The angle this tale takes is one centered on the mistreatment of women in the domestic sphere, the invisibilization of reproductive labor, and the difficulty for women (and particularly mothers) to escape abusive family situations without the resource of capital.

The reason it doesn’t work perfectly for me, I think, is because when I go to Frankenstein and associated works, what I’m looking for is the theme of othering in the sphere of marginalization of queerness and stigmatized bodies. This book has a very specific lense on the struggles of an 18th century housewife in the British Isles, and so, while it explores the domestic dimension of gender roles and a bit of gendered othering due to Agnes’s height, it just didn’t hit for me the way I want, and expect, respectfully adapted Frankenstein-adjacent works to. I think I’d have liked it more if it weren’t directly invoking the characters of Frankenstein, because I’d not have set expectations, but that’s very specific to my personal reading experience.

This book. Five stars. Such beautiful, horrifying writing.

Truly, a love letter to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Obviously, it is not going to be as amazing as Frankenstein the original, but this one is amazing as well.

It started off a little slow, but one Victor Frankenstein arrives, it’s fast from there.

Loved it and highly recommend if you adore the original book.

Well, wow. How grim, how atmospheric, and achingly heartfelt. This surprised me. The protagonist carries real grit through every ordeal, and her thoughts haunt me.

You step back in time, captivated by the isolated isle of Eynhallow and its windswept and moody terrain. You encounter the daily ordeals of survival, the connections, and the gossip of four families. The mysteries and promises in which the stranger brings to the island as he locks himself away in the mansion in pursuit of his science.

The trail he leaves behind is devastating. And you can't help but feel the tug of time and heartache. I was glued to the pages towards the end.

There are a few trigger warnings for body horror, dead baby, and domestic abuse.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy!

This retelling of the gothic classic Frankenstein was enthralling and atmospheric. Tim McGregor is a master at his craft and I found the prose and story of Agnes captivating and heartbreaking. Truly an unforgettable book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to immerse myself into their incredible story.

I really enjoyed this book by Tim McGregor. I read him before (Wasps in the Ice Cream), and like it, but wasn't completely my cup of tea. Eynhallow definitely was, so very glad I tried him again. The characters were great, as was the plot/story and pacing. Will definitely be reading Tim McGregor again. #Eynhallow #NetGalley

Eynhallow is an amazingly beautiful gothic tale. I don’t want to give too much away, but this story had everything and more. It was so alluring and written to perfection. It had mystery, romance, heartbreak, triumph, and tragedy. Such a wonderful telling of a classic tale. I cannot give Eynhallow enough praise. A true modern day masterpiece.

The island of Eynhallow—which is part of the Orkney archipelago in north Scotland—is now uninhabited. However, in 1797 (the time-period of this book), there was a small conclave of superstitious and xenophobic farmers. In the book, Eynhallow, life is hard on this windy rock, where four families (20 people) live in squalor and deprivation. They believe that spirits, trolls, goblins, and finfolk (fish creatures) roam the island, cause much of their suffering. Such a desolate and lonely place is just the right setting for a horror novel, and Tim McGregor has delivered us a literary marvel.

I don’t want to give too much away, but here is a synopsis. Agnes Turloch is an outsider to the island. Mr. Turloch is an abusive drunk who expects his wife to take care of the family and his sexual desires. She has had seven pregnancies, of which only four have survived. He tries to make her feel grateful that he chose to marry someone like her: tall, physically strong, and hardened by the lack of love and cruelty. When a stranger moves to the island, Agnes soon has someone who is also an outsider; a man who adds a new and exciting dimension to her existence. What is he there for? To tell more would ruin the story.

There is nothing that I can say against this book. It is well paced and well written. The horrors that people inflict on Agnes are emotional, physical, and mental. Much is taken from her, but little is given. This is the first time in a long while where I have read every single word of a book.

On Tim McGregor’s author profile on Goodreads, he states that, he lives with, “A really spiteful ghost.” This may be why he writes so well about the ones that inhabit the land—and people—of Eynhallow. I will be on the lookout for more books written by Tim McGregor.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The prose is wonderful.
This reimagining of Frankenstein was very interesting. It's an atmospheric novella about isolation, grief, ambition, agency, and arrogance with a strong female lead to root for.

This is perfect gothic fiction for a rainy day, a slow burn that ramps as it goes, as bleak as it gets.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tim McGregor, and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the eARC copy of this book!

From the very start, I enjoyed this story. It was so easy to imagine standing on the shores of Eynhallow, staring out to sea with Agnes. I loved McGregor's writing style and getting a sense of Agnes's quiet humor. I was truly rooting for Agnes to have just a little bit of happiness in her lonely life, and I think McGregor did a great job of building up that tension, only to rip the rug out in the last quarter of the book.

At times, the book was repetitive and the ending felt a little abrupt, but I think overall it was an enjoyable escape into the creepy world of Eynhallow. I also read in another review that this is a real place, so I'm excited to do some further digging!

If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller, this book is not for you. If you're looking for a slow-burning, chilly, and eerie read - Eynhallow will satisfy.

I thought this book was ok. It took a while for me to get past the author's style of writing. The prose was very clipped, and the dialogue felt confused. It seemed like the author was trying to use time-appropriate vocabulary and phrasing, but did not succeed, which made the reading experience jarring. Eventually, I was able to get used to the writing and focus on the story, which was interesting, but didn't completely grab me. I'm glad I finished the book, but it doesn't make me want to read anything else by the author.

Author Tim McGregor's "Eynhallow" is an excellent addition to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". McGregor takes a small part of Victor Frankenstein's flight away from Geneva, and expands and fills in some details, while creating a new, sympathetic protagonist in Agnes Tulloch.

McGregor takes us to 1797 on the Orkney Islands. Agnes is a wife and mother of four children. She cares deeply for her children, but does not have the resources or support to feed or care for them adequately. Her husband Robert is emotionally and physically abusive, drinks all their money up and pays the lively children little attention when home except to yell at them.

Agnes has no friends amongst the small number of families on the island, except for Katie, also a mother of several children. Katie and Agnes kid each other, and find what humour they can in their lives, which are full of hardship and toil. The other people of the island look at Agnes with a mixture of fear and revulsion; she is a very tall, powerful woman, easily a head taller than Robert. She's been ostracised and reviled since puberty, when she shot up, painfully, and her stepmother was happy to get rid of her as fast as possible to Tulloch.

Things change when a wealthy stranger arrives on the island, with numerous boxes and trunks, and rents the only empty cottage on the island. Robert quickly sees his advantage, and forces Agnes to cook and clean for the man for money. Agnes is unhappy, as she's already struggling to keep her own home, but has no choice but to agree.

She quickly finds the stranger to be somewhat mercurial, obviously privileged, and not always cognizant of how his requests could be interpreted (e.g., asking Agnes to pose for him). She learns his name is Victor Frankenstein, that he seems to be running away from something, even while he works hard daily on something secret. At the same time, both Agnes and Katie begin seeing a giant on the island....

I don't want to say much more, as the story is excellent, and gave me a better appreciation for Mary Shelley's original, though I still think Vic and Monster are annoying and terrible people. I loved the choice of making Agnes the point of view character, which allows McGregor to 1) really show the remoteness of the Orkneys, and the hardscrabble lives of the few inhabiting the place, and 2) slowly reveal Vic's project, and surprise those unfamiliar with the classic.

McGregor builds atmosphere beautifully; one can hear the wind blowing in from the ocean, feel the biting, salty air, and experience the isolation, and Agnes' cramped, small home and her desperate wish for something better. And then really feel the horror that Agnes experiences when she finally realizes what Vic and the Monster are about.

And the ending is so bleak and sad. Wonderful!

Thank you to Netgalley and to RDS Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I loved this gothic, literary horror novella. This is a tale of grief and regret, told through the eyes of Agnes, a woman living on the small Scottish island of Eynhallow, who is beautifully realized. Trapped in a marriage she didn't really want on a tiny island with no escape, Tim does a masterful job of pulling the reader into the story, feeling Agnes's frustration with the way things have turned out for her and the claustrophobia of this difficult life. Reading the story through her observations, asides, and insights adds a rich layer to what could easily have fallen into melodrama. I loved the setting, this harsh and unforgiving environment where the small community of families is essentially trapped, though they would never admit it. The set up is perfectly done, allowing readers to be captivated by these characters before the inevitable doom that befalls them when a mysterious stranger arrives.

I love Tim's storytelling style, and if you liked Lure, I think you will really enjoy this one as well (and if you haven't read Lure, go read that one too!).

If you don't already know where this story is going, keep it that way! I think it would be fabulous to read this without knowing anything about the big reveal, as it's very well done. Thanks to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Agnes lives on Orkney island with her husband George and her four kids. She was forced to marry George who was a friend of her fathers she was ill prepared for the hard life she would have what does her best and works hard at her chores and letting her children know Sue loves them. Her husband is abusive so when a stranger named Victor moves to the island he tells instead of asking that she is to cook and be a wash woman for the new tenant. At first she is irritated by her husband the man but soon becomes intrigued with the stranger in the closer they become the more the stranger opens up even telling her that something is plaguing him but when Agnes and her best friend Kate who is big with child sees a Hulking monster their husbands nor others don’t believe them. Victor Frankenstein moved to the island because he had a due to pay and works hard at this endeavor it is only Agnes who is ill prepared for what will happen when all is said and done. Agnes cannot stand her husband and although she has put up with him for many years having no other options but win an option presents itself Agnes is ready to take it if only she knew how big the cost would be. This book was so good the historical accuracy was good the writing style was great the story was good there was a point in the book where I was a little confused as to why and what happened but having reread it it all became clear to make I did fine with the Frankenstein storyline there was a lot of artistic license being taken but I was fine with that I really liked the story and totally enjoyed it. With the things they said in the jobs they did I thought Mr. McGregor did an awesome job with the RESEARCH and setting down the facts to make a great story I was also so sad about poor Kate and thought Agnes was a wonderful mother in a horrible situation. If you love a great horror story with an authentic Gothic feel you’ll definitely love this book oh I certainly did! I want to thank the publisher and net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.