Weird girl litfic horror about bodies? I’m so in.

This collection reminded me of my frustration with short stories: not because they’re bad, but because I wanted more from these universes! The stories would fully hook me, and then I’d turn the page, and they would end.

Rose Keating has done an incredible job of creating a collection of stories that are both disgusting and relatable. They are wrapped in a sticky haze of confusion, and I will admit that I didn’t understand some of them. But the writing was deeply immersive, and I couldn’t stop reading. More than once, I found myself saying “I need to reread that one” because I knew I was missing something, and… I just needed to get it.

The grotesquities in this collection are presented as entirely commonplace, forcing the reader to confront some horrifying bodies and procedures. The stories are steeped in magic realism, without explanation or context. Sometimes a word doesn’t have the same meaning. Sometimes a lamb isn’t just a lamb. The stories are vague and surreal, and they worked beautifully for me. I wouldn’t recommend this to just anyone, because I can see how it might not be universally popular. But

The stories that have stuck with me the most are Pineapple, Eggshells, The Vegetables. I also loved The Test (although The Test seems to live in a vastly different universe than the other stories, which may have been what made it stand out).

In all, I didn’t think I was going to give this 5 stars, honestly. But it was an excellent execution, and I will look forward to her future writing.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Rose Keating for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

i really loved each and every single short story- they all were different but were centered around bodily horror. i was shocked when i found out that this was a debut it was very well written. my one complaint was honestly that there wasn't more.

Such a good collection of short stories about bodies and all their complexities. I really enjoyed this one, and I think a lot of the stories will scratch that weirdgirl fiction itch if it's your thing!

oh my lord this was AMAZING. As weird, achy, and laugh out loud bizarre as I'd hoped. I read this over a few reading vlogs and had the best time [which is weird to say for some of them lol]. The story still sticking with me the most is Oddbody because it personally hurt my feelings [6/5 stars]. And then maybe Pineapple [also hurt my feelings in the best way]. Brava! 👏

Oddbody delivers strong "Would you still love me if I were a worm?" vibes-and I mean that in the best way. It’s delightfully strange, emotionally tender, and playfully grotesque in all the right ways. Two standout stories for me were "Squirm" and "Eggshells," which perfectly captured the book’s unique blend of weirdness and vulnerability.

After reading Oddbody, I'm definitely interested in exploring more of this author’s work. Overall, I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars.

God I loved this so much. Each of the 10 short stories was so weird (affectionate), gross (affectionate), bold, and so so so honest. For me personally, it explored the weirdness and rawness of existing in the world as a woman, of having a body that is constantly scrutinized and abused and minimized and so much more. It was darkly funny at times, uncomfortable, and sometimes tragic in its honesty.

These stories were a visceral experience, and a few times felt like the author was holding up a mirror to some of my own deep and dark insecurities/experiences. I will definitely be following this author and reading future stories.

Highly recommend for lovers of weird fiction/horror, and readers who seek out stories that make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable (in a good way)

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of Oddbody. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own

i really enjoyed this initially, and a few of the stories were so surreal and unique and absurd i know they'll stay with me. i don't think this collection was more than the sum of its parts, as the voice and themes and purpose could remain very similar, but i would read more from this author!

If I’m going to read a horror anthology, I want it to be like this 😅 It’s bizarre, unhinged, visceral body horror that I could not pull myself away from. Nearly every story stayed in the realm of out-there, grotesque body horror. I had a quite a few favorites, but unlike a lot of anthologies, I did not find myself wanting to skip over any so I think that’s a huge win for me. I think all in all this was a solid, unique collection, totally shocking that it’s a debut, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think this is a must read for all body-horror lovers. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for my copy!

My Selling Pitch:
Another collection of angry sad girl short stories that gets artsy with magical realism to illustrate everyday femme horror. Some work better than others, but the ones that hit, hit.

Pre-reading:
This cover is everything.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Oddbody

Immediately Olivie Blake-y

Is the ghost just intrusive thoughts

Oh lord, it’s so fun being a woman who hates her body, isn’t it?

3/5 artsy but depressing and nothing new
———
Squirm

Would you still love me if I was a worm?

The story is making me squirm. It’s definitely turning my stomach.

Shark Heart and Eric LaRocca

4/5 gross and a little too artsy but I love degenerative disease horror.
———
Mouthful

That was such a blend of the first two with really gorgeous imagery
4/5
———
Bela

I'm not used to Bela being a man’s name.

Imagination is wild.

This would be a hell of a full book. Reminds me a bit of Night’s Edge and When the Wolf Comes Home.

5/5 loved it. Would take a full book
——-
Pineapple

Oh lord, what’s in the couch?

My problem with finding good ambiguous horror is that all I want to do then is discuss the stories with a book club, but I’m never reading them with a club!
5/5
———
Next to

I didn’t really understand that one at all. Was it just she had an abortion?
1/5
————-
Notes on

I want to throw up lol. God, I hate men.

Fuck.

Give me the whole book for this one.

That was phenomenal. If that had been expanded into a full horror novel- like christ, new foundational angry sad girl text.
5/5
——-
Eggshells

Could've been developed more. We get like snippets of feminist horror, but it ironically feels underbaked and unfinished. More set up than satisfaction.

4/5
——-
Test

Girlypop said absolute feminine rage.

5/5
———
Vegetable

That’s quite a new take on Red Riding Hood. Loved it.
5/5

Post-reading:
I love femme horror collections.

This isn’t a casual read. The topics are heavy. The stories are depressing. You’re going to have to do work to read it. The prose is artsy. There’s a lot of subtext. Some stories are more successful and memorable than others.

My favorite in the collection was Notes on Performance. I almost wish she had held that story back and developed it into a full length novel. I think her new take on Little Red Riding Hood in Vegetable is going to live rent free in my head.

The visuals are striking. She writes stomach-churning body horror really well. It’s a really solid collection. I will definitely be picking up anything else she puts out.

Who should read this:
Angry sad girls
Magical realism horror fans
Feminists

Ideal reading time:
Anytime

Do I want to reread this:
Yup.

Would I buy this:
YUP.

Similar books:
* She’s Always Hungry by Eliza Clark-short story collection, femme horror, camp
* Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado-short story collection, femme horror, camp
* Mouth by Puloma Ghosh-short story collection, femme horror, camp
* Normal Women by Ainslie Hogarth-lit fic, mommy horror, social commentary
* Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder-lit fic, magical realism, mommy horror, social commentary
* Shark Heart by-lit fic, magical realism, degenerative disease horror, social commentary
* Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca-queer horror
* Januaries by Olivie Blake-short story collection, femme horror, camp
* Paradise Logic by Sophie Kemp-lit fic, unreliable narrator, autism rep, femme horror
* Stag Dance by Torrey Peters-short story collection, queer horror
* Sympathy for Wild Girls by Demree McGhee-short story collection, femme horror, queer
* The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling-historical, magical realism, psychological horror, queer
* When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy-campy horror
* The Lamb by Lucy Rose-lit fic, family drama, queer horror
* Private Rites by Julia Armfield-lit fic, family drama, queer horror
* Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh-psychological horror, family drama, queer
* Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt-queer horror
* Night’s Edge by Liz Kerin-queer horror, dystopian, family drama

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s always tricky reviewing short story collections—some stories inevitably resonate more than others. Unfortunately, in this case, I only really connected with two pieces out of the entire collection.

One standout for me was Squirm. I genuinely wish it had been developed into a full novel. It gave off strong “Would you still love me if I was a worm?” energy—and for the record, no, I would not. But I was hooked by the tone, the strangeness, and the sense of underlying dread. It had so much potential to go deeper.

The writing across the collection was solid—sharp, smart, and clearly promising. That said, I think I would have appreciated this debut more if it had been a full-length novel. A longer format might’ve given me the chance to really sink into one character, one arc, one emotional payoff. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for future work from this author, but this one just didn’t quite hit for me overall.

Oddbody is a sharp, unsettling debut that blends minimalist prose with visceral body horror. Rose Keating’s ten stories center on emotionally detached young women facing grotesque, often surreal realities. While the tone can feel uniform, each story delivers a unique and haunting punch. Disturbing, spare, and strangely compelling.

I would like to thank NetGalley for my e-ARC/DRC.

I was drawn to this by the title alone. I went into this read blind, not knowing what to expect, but ended up pleasantly, shockingly, surprised.

Oddbody is an exceptionally well-written collection of short stories that are descriptive, weird, and hauntingly beautiful.

If Brand New Cherry Flavor, and Milk and Honey had a baby, Oddbody would be its spawn.

Squirm was a story involving a worm, and I absolutely cannot stand worms. This story definitely made me uncomfortable but it was way up in the creep factor range of weirdness that I so love.

Mouthful was strange, dark, and twisted.

Pineapple is great for fans of body modifications.

Next to Cleanliness was one of my top two favorites. But it also made me never want to do a body cleanse. Ever!

Notes on Performance was my other top favorite. Fans of Ti West's X, Pearl, and Maxxine will love this one. Body autonomy!

Eggshells was a powerful story on women who are infertile, miscarriages.

The Test involved many deep topics, and this was the one that probably stood out to me the most emotionally and psychologically. Arranged marriages. Mens' expectations of women. Particularly what they define as feminine beauty, and their discardment when it no longer fits those expecations/needs. This story truly made me self-realize my privilges of being a man, and the concern, compassion, empathy for women who are subjected to these daily scenarios.

The Vegetable was my least favorite. I just didn't get it. Or it went over my head. Not sure about this one at all.

Each story fades into the next in one beautifully interconnected weaving of female trauma, pain, struggles, and most importantly, their strength!

Oddbody: Stories by Rose Keating delivers exactly what its title promises—a collection of visceral, body-focused tales that will make you squirm. While I admire Keating's bold approach to using physical horror as a vehicle for exploring emotional trauma, this debut collection ultimately landed at 3 stars for me.

Keating demonstrates genuine talent in her ability to weave magical realism into everyday settings with startling naturalness. Her protagonists—typically apathetic young women navigating grotesque realities—anchor stories that range from depression metaphors to extreme body modification. The writing is sharp and economical, packing significant emotional weight into minimal prose.

The standout pieces showcase Keating's range: "Oddbody" offers a devastating take on mental illness, while "Pineapple" brilliantly captures the suffocation of an unhealthy relationship through the lens of body modification. "The Vegetable" creates genuine tension as isolation meets potential threat.

However, the collection's treatment of animal harm proved to be a significant barrier for me. While I understand these elements serve the broader themes of trauma and vulnerability, they felt unnecessarily graphic and detracted from my overall enjoyment. This isn't a commentary on Keating's skill—her ability to provoke visceral reactions speaks to her craft—but rather a personal preference that affected my reading experience.

The collection maintains a consistent tone throughout, though this occasionally works against it, creating a sense of sameness across stories. Some pieces lean heavily into shock value, and while the body horror serves clear thematic purposes, it sometimes overshadows character development.

For readers who appreciate weird girl lit and aren't deterred by graphic content, Oddbody offers a compelling exploration of how physical and emotional trauma intersect. Keating is clearly a writer to watch, and I'm curious to see how her voice develops in future work.

3.5 rounded down.

I love femgore as a genre and some of these stories really hit, but the amount of animal death in here bothered me too much to rate this higher.

Some of my favorite stories in the collection:
- "Oddbody" - A woman deals with a codependent ghost that has latched onto her.
- "Squirm" - A daughter takes care of her father that has turned into a worm.
- "Pineapple" - A woman gets a series of animal-like body modifications done by an artist.

From heavy-handed metaphors about womanhood to outright gross body horror, this collection has it all. It was certainly an experience to read, but one that I very much enjoyed. As I mentioned though, I have to talk about the fact that there is quite a bit of animal death in multiple of the stories. I'm not someone who appreciates when writers put that in their horror novels, so unfortunately it really hurt the rating of this collection.

This was such a fun read and exactly my kind of weird. It’s a collection of very odd short stories that seem to each make you feel something different.
Some of these are disgusting, some funny, some emotional, some creepy but all odd.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for some “weird girl lit”

I realized while reading this that I actually really like short story collections and it works very well with my busy life and not being able to read a ton at a time. I can read a story or two and not feel like I’m missing anything putting it down, but still feel drawn in and compelled to read more of the stories.

This book was....interesting. It was very different from most reads ive had and i really enjoyed it because of that. The imagery in every short story was vivid and enticing. I would read more if able.

Oddbody is both strangely beautiful and beautifully strange. I was drawn in by the eccentric charm of the short stories and their raw exploration of shame, longing, and desire. The strangeness was compelling, though I found the abrupt endings a bit unsatisfying at times. Still, I commend the author for their original and thought-provoking approach to these deeply human themes.

as a lover of body horror in fiction, i jumped at the chance to read keating's "oddbody". this is a debut horror short story collection surrounding the body. each story deals with another manifestation of bodily unease, typically through young women moving passively through grotesque circumstances in which strange is ordinary and pain is dealt with disturbing calm.

keating's writing is lean and distant, and occasionally that causes the emotional center of these stories to also feel distant—but for the most part that serves her well. it allows the horror to hit harder. there's a feeling that there's always something seething just beneath the surface, whether it's grief, shame, mental illness, or gendered violence. and when it does finally appear, it's not generally with a bang—it just is, and it's awful, and you can't look away.

though not every tale resonated with me to the same degree (some blended together tonally), the standouts were absolute gems. "pineapple" was a highlight—grim, cutting, and exquisitely strange. "notes on performance" was another punch in the gut. and naturally, the titular "oddbody" haunts with its vicious, on-the-nose metaphor for depression and disassociation, related with precisely the right degree of surrealist panache.

this isn't an anthology for every taste, especially if you're squeamish or like your horror with neat conclusions. but if you like your fiction strange, unsettling, and bubbling with meaning just beneath the surface, oddbody is well worth it. i'll definitely be looking out for keating's future work.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early e-copy!

SO good. This immediately skyrocketed into my list of absolute best single-author collections. These stories are genuinely unsettling and disturbing in the best possible way. My favorites: Squirm, Mouthful, Next to Cleanliness, The Vegetable. Squirm in particular was just next-level.

I'll be looking out for future works by this author.

“oddbody” definitely lives up to its advertising of portraying the “weirdness of bodies.” this short story collection follows a wide variety of strange characters in modern-esque worlds that are always, somehow, slightly off. from a daughter taking care of her father who has literally turned into a worm to a woman harvesting sheep trees, these stories are bizarre and grotesque.

unfortunately, i don’t think these were for me, and that’s ok! i found some of the horror elements and descriptions to be a little too visceral for my liking and occasionally seemed utilized more for shock value than for storytelling. while i appreciated that every story contained some sort of real-world commentary (on mental illness, plastic surgery/body modification, the entertainment industry, and the patriarchy, to name a few themes) i felt that the messages were either very heavy-handed or otherwise were a little too ambiguous. it’s nice in literature to have room for interpretation, but i’d just like to know the point of some of these stories.

some stories had very little depth to the characters, and by the time we got to know them (if at all), the story was over. and, being the type of reader i am, my favorite stories are ones where i get to know a character, learn how they view the world and why, and see some sort of change in them (for better or for worse) or even connect with them on some level. and i know some will say, it’s a SHORT story, they’re intended to be short—to which i would say i have read other short story collections that have allowed the reader to build connections with the characters, sometimes in even fewer pages!

i found that some of my favorite stories were the longer ones in this collection, where i could bond with the characters to some degree (e.g.: “oddbody,” “squirm,” “next to cleanliness”).

credit where credit is due, keating is clearly a talented writer. at a craft level, she knows how to tell a compelling story and the fact that, as i mentioned earlier, some of her descriptions gave me visceral reactions, is a testament to her writing capabilities. some of these stories were fascinating, even if i didn’t particularly enjoy them or struggled to understand the deeper meaning. if keating were to write a novel one day, i’d be very interested to read it. i think this collection would be perfect for fans of the grittier, grosser sides of the weird-girl fiction genre, like fans of eliza clarke, ottessa moshfegh, and the like. “oddbody” just wasn’t totally my vibe, and that’s ok.

thank you to simon and schuster for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!