Member Review

Housing Eleanor's Nightmare

Kim Fu's “The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts” is a powerfully introspective novel that defies the traditional ghost story label. It skillfully merges literary fiction with psychological horror, charting a harrowing descent into the mind of a woman consumed by grief.

The story centers on Eleanor Fan, a therapist who is emotionally crippled by the death of her codependent and overprotective mother, Lele. Following Lele's final request, Eleanor uses her inheritance for an impulsive purchase: a model home in a remote, partially constructed development. This spontaneous decision swiftly spirals into a financial and psychological nightmare.

The book started out roughly for me, frustrated by Eleanor's constant, incredibly poor decisions, relentlessly inviting disaster. Her series of misfortunes felt almost self-inflicted, as if she were actively seeking, or perhaps even deserving of, the trouble that ensued. A prime example occurred with her very first partial repairs: she was intimidated and severely overcharged by an overly creepy character, yet her only response was to pay him off– just make him go away.

Eleanor's deteriorating mental state is physically mirrored by the dilapidated house, with its shoddy workmanship and persistent leaks amplified by the incessant torrential rain. As the narrative progresses, the initial frustration directed at Eleanor softens, replaced by a profound empathy that emerges from understanding the traumatic circumstances that shaped her current reality. Burdened by unprocessed earlier sexual assault, devastating grief, and an overwhelming feeling of arrested development and helplessness, Eleanor begins to experience vivid hallucinations. These apparitions include ghosts of her mother, her former mentor, and even the faces of her online therapy clients.

Sharing the incomparable Shirley Jackson's talent for the highly atmospheric, Kim Fu conjures a palpable sense of gloom, dampness, and claustrophobia that serves as a perfect mirror for Eleanor's despair. By touching on universal anxieties surrounding affordability and concerns over climate change, this novel goes beyond the traditional constraints of the horror genre.

The most moving aspect of this reading experience was my 180-degree turn in the perception of Eleanor. Initially, her seemingly illogical decisions led me to question whether they served primarily as mere plot devices. However, as her backstory was revealed, my sentiments transformed. I not only forgave her but developed a deep empathy for her panic and struggle against the overwhelming forces that ensnared her.

Readers who appreciate literary fiction, slow-burn psychological thrillers, or stories that leverage the fantastical to delve into profound human experiences like grief and trauma will find this novel highly recommended. The novel's atmosphere and themes will cling to your memory long after you've finished the final page.

Thank you to Zando Projects / Tin House and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #TheValleyofVengefulGhosts #NetGalley