Scribner, January 2016.
Four Stars
This was a great, unusual, creepy little book. The chapters are short and the pace is fast, but even so it was filled with uncertainty as things are revealed slowly and sometimes not at all. Morgan is a recluse who we later learn was disfigured with acid. He hides in his ostentatious home with only his housekeeper Engel for company, in a time and place that are never made clear to the reader. While he is not really lonely, he does seem pleased – and not all that curious – when children start appearing out of nowhere to live in his home.
At first he enjoys their company so much that he does not question why they have suddenly shown up on his doorstep, but as time passes he begins to wonder about their origins, and where they disappear to throughout the day. Morgan sees his deformed face as a mask, with his true self hidden behind. He loves the children because they see past his disfigurement to who he really is, and this is a major theme of the novel. Morgan worries that the acid burned away his living face, and only the mask remains, so who is he really?
Behind the walls of his estate, Morgan is also hiding from the outside world, which is overtaken with some vaguely explained “troubles” that have changed things from the world he once knew. He does know that his sister is in charge of the family factory, which supports his household, but he is not interested in finding out what happens at the factory – and this refusal to see the truth is described as “also a sort of knowing” (loc. 1785) as he lives his wealthy life in denial of what horrible things may be funding it.
As time passes, the children become more sinister, especially the oldest, David. The other children look up to him and follow his orders – in fact, they get scared when Morgan does not listen to David’s commands or seek his permission. Morgan resists at first, but then meekly follows David’s plans as the children rediscover their purpose in life. Meanwhile, a doctor is called for one of the children, and he quickly insinuates himself into the household. Morgan finds himself so close to Doctor Crane that he feels his body has been doubled or split – he even begins to think of himself as the doctor. The fact that this is all explored with no fear or astonishment adds to the creepy psychological mood of the novel.
Eventually the children’s motivations reach a climax, as they venture into the city to find out the truth about Morgan’s factory. I’m still not completely sure what happened at the end of this neo-gothic fairy tale, but what we learn is that society is formless until an outsider gives it meaning, dividing actions between good and evil. Even the morally ambiguous can’t live in denial forever, as the children use their previous exploitation to save the lives of others. The ending is unresolved, but I feel like I can say it was a happy one. Maybe.
I received this book for free through Scribner and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
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