When it comes to horror and thrillers, I have a bit of a rule: I avoid reading the synopsis or reviews before diving in. Why? Because too often, I feel like they give too much away in the blurb, and I always enjoy figuring out the story without knowing where it might be going. I highly recommend reading this one by going into it knowing as little as possible. After reading the novella in one evening, I have some thoughts!
The Night Guest will be available for purchase on September 3, 2024.
GENERAL INFO
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir Published on September 3, 2024
Genres: Horror
Pages: 208
Format: ARC
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
Hildur Knútsdóttir's The Night Guest is an eerie and ensnaring story set in contemporary Reykjavík that’s sure to keep you awake at night.
Iðunn is in yet another doctor's office. She knows her constant fatigue is a sign that something's not right, but practitioners dismiss her symptoms and blood tests haven't revealed any cause.
When she talks to friends and family about it, the refrain is the same — have you tried eating better? exercising more? establishing a nighttime routine? She tries to follow their advice, buying everything from vitamins to sleeping pills to a step-counting watch. Nothing helps.
Until one night Iðunn falls asleep with the watch on, and wakes up to find she’s walked over 40,000 steps in the night . . .
What is happening when she’s asleep? Why is she waking up with increasingly disturbing injuries? And why won’t anyone believe her?
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When I requested The Night Guest, I only read the first small paragraph before requesting. What did I know going in? Just that the main character was battling some mysterious fatigue and that the doctors—classic—were dismissing her concerns. As a woman, that last part hit a little too close to home, even outside of a horror context. I 100% related to the main character being gaslit and told that there was nothing wrong with her whenever she went to the doctor. This has happened to me more times than I can count. I loved the discussion surrounding this and how it often happens to women.
From the beginning, it is easy to speculate what you believe is happening. The way the main character was introduced to the reader was well done. The story reveals just enough throughout. From the very first page, the atmosphere is eerie. The narrator, Iðunn, feels real—flaws and all. Even when she’s a bit hard to like, something about her makes you root for her. It’s impressive how much depth is packed into this short story.
I think the writing style worked for this type of story. There were a few chapters with only a sentence or two, and it affected the pacing and suspense in the best way. There were many times when I should’ve put the story down, but it was too addicting. Since it’s a translated work, there are a few moments where the sentence structure feels slightly off, but nothing major. Honestly, it just adds to the slightly disorienting story telling.
Now, about the ending. I can already hear the mixed reviews. It’s abrupt, and it definitely leaves a lot up to interpretation. I personally found something satisfying in it, but I’ll admit, it wasn’t until I peeked at other reviews that I felt more confident in my take. If you are confused about the ending, or even want to read other interpretations, I would read some of the Goodreads reviews!
This review has a comment left by Katie (click the “view spoilers”) that details my favorite interpretation of the ending!
Final Rating: 4/5 stars
Those are all of my thoughts on The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir. I don’t want to give anything else away since it is a shorter story. Just know, I recommend this one, especially since it such a quick read.
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Question of the Day:
What is a favorite horror novella of yours? Let me know in the comments!