Member Review
Review by
Michael B, Reviewer
Conjuring Reality
Emily Ruskovich’s “Nightjar” is a haunting, atmospheric collection that skillfully probes the instability of memory, grief, and the secrets hidden within intimate relationships. Set against the distinct, often isolating backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, these five novellas explore the psychological undercurrents of ordinary lives.
The collection opens with “Victor’s Room,” which stands out as the most captivating entry. The narrative centers on Rebecca, who slowly uncovers inconsistencies in her husband’s past, watching her trust in their shared reality melt away as she begins to see through his underlying psychosis. This initial piece perfectly sets the tone for the collection’s focus on the complexities of interpersonal trust.
While the O. Henry Award-winning “Owl” has received critical acclaim, I found it the least successful of the group; its exploration of a fur trapper reckoning with his marriage felt less resonant to me than the surrounding pieces. In contrast, the middle of the collection offers complex, unconventional narrative paths. “Round Lake” is particularly disorienting, taking puzzling turns before ultimately revealing how deeply grief can distort and alter a person's memories. Similarly, “Petty Creek Road” generates intense suspense regarding a pivotal event, only to finish with a subtle, muted whisper that echoes long after the words are read.
The title story, “Nightjar,” requires patience; the narrative is slow to develop, but it rewards that wait by finishing strong, effectively grounding the collection in a meditation on how we perceive wonder and magic in relation to truth.
Ultimately, “Nightjar” offers a compelling exploration of the deceptions we embrace—whether born from the trust we place in others or the alternative realities we conjure to survive existence. Even though the pacing falters at times, Ruskovich excels at capturing the quiet, often unarticulated emotional landscapes of her characters.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #Nightjar #NetGalley
Emily Ruskovich’s “Nightjar” is a haunting, atmospheric collection that skillfully probes the instability of memory, grief, and the secrets hidden within intimate relationships. Set against the distinct, often isolating backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, these five novellas explore the psychological undercurrents of ordinary lives.
The collection opens with “Victor’s Room,” which stands out as the most captivating entry. The narrative centers on Rebecca, who slowly uncovers inconsistencies in her husband’s past, watching her trust in their shared reality melt away as she begins to see through his underlying psychosis. This initial piece perfectly sets the tone for the collection’s focus on the complexities of interpersonal trust.
While the O. Henry Award-winning “Owl” has received critical acclaim, I found it the least successful of the group; its exploration of a fur trapper reckoning with his marriage felt less resonant to me than the surrounding pieces. In contrast, the middle of the collection offers complex, unconventional narrative paths. “Round Lake” is particularly disorienting, taking puzzling turns before ultimately revealing how deeply grief can distort and alter a person's memories. Similarly, “Petty Creek Road” generates intense suspense regarding a pivotal event, only to finish with a subtle, muted whisper that echoes long after the words are read.
The title story, “Nightjar,” requires patience; the narrative is slow to develop, but it rewards that wait by finishing strong, effectively grounding the collection in a meditation on how we perceive wonder and magic in relation to truth.
Ultimately, “Nightjar” offers a compelling exploration of the deceptions we embrace—whether born from the trust we place in others or the alternative realities we conjure to survive existence. Even though the pacing falters at times, Ruskovich excels at capturing the quiet, often unarticulated emotional landscapes of her characters.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #Nightjar #NetGalley
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