The Bog Wife

by Kay Chronister
The Bog Wife cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Horror
Technical:
  • ID: 1008
  • Added: 2025-09-24
  • Updated: 2025-09-24
  • ISBN: 9781640097322
  • Publisher: Catapult
  • Published: 2025-10-07
  • Formats: 32
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Bookshop
Format • £9.49

In the heart of West Virginia, the Haddesley family has long maintained a eerie bargain with a cranberry bog that sustains them in exchange for a ritual sacrifice. When the bog fails to honor its part of the deal, the siblings—each grappling with their own personal struggles—are forced to confront the unsettling truths of their past. As they delve deeper into the bog's mysteries, they uncover disturbing secrets that challenge everything they thought they knew about their family's history. The novel blends gothic horror, psychological drama, and eco-horror, creating a chilling tale that speaks to the unknowable aspects of family legacy and the struggle to move forward.

Reviews
Grimdark Magazine · 2024-10-29
compelling 4.00

The book is compelling and unnerving, with a unique atmosphere that is hard to describe without spoilers. It blends elements of gothic horror and Appalachian folklore seamlessly.

This book is a standout for its atmospheric setting and the way it weaves together gothic horror with Appalachian folklore. The reviewer found it compelling and unnerving, with a unique atmosphere that is hard to describe without spoilers. The story's exploration of family secrets and the supernatural elements are particularly noteworthy. The reviewer also appreciates the way the book balances tension and mystery, making it a captivating read.

Quick quotes

    The Bog Wife is an entirely unexpected read, equal parts compelling, unnerving, and hard to describe without giving too much away.

    The novel's atmosphere is so rich and immersive that it feels like a character in itself.

    Chronister's writing is both haunting and beautiful, making The Bog Wife a memorable experience.

Southern Review of Books · 2024-10-28
haunting 4.50

The novel is riveting and haunting, exploring themes of life cycles and breaking tradition. It is beautifully written and deeply atmospheric.

The reviewer found The Bog Wife to be a riveting and haunting exploration of life cycles and the breaking of tradition. The novel's atmospheric setting and beautiful prose make it a standout read. The reviewer particularly appreciates the way the story delves into the complexities of family and the supernatural, creating a rich and immersive experience. The themes of tradition and change are explored with depth and sensitivity, making the book both thought-provoking and engaging.

Quick quotes

    Riveting, haunting, and gorgeous, Kay Chronister's The Bog Wife is a novel about the cycles of life and breaking tradition.

    The prose is luminous, with a lyrical quality that enhances the story's eerie atmosphere.

    Chronister's exploration of family dynamics and supernatural elements is both compelling and deeply moving.

The New York Times · 2024-09-29
lush 4.20

The book is a lush, beautifully written novel about trying to be a person in our strange world. Despite its gothic elements, it offers a profound exploration of human nature.

The reviewer praises The Bog Wife for its lush and beautiful writing, which offers a profound exploration of human nature. The book's gothic elements are well-executed, creating a sense of claustrophobia and tension. The reviewer appreciates the way the story delves into the complexities of being human in a strange and often unsettling world. The themes of identity and belonging are explored with depth and nuance, making the book both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

Quick quotes

    Overall, The Bog Wife is a lush, beautifully written novel about trying to be a person in our strange world.

    The novel's gothic elements are expertly crafted, creating a sense of claustrophobia and tension.

    Chronister's exploration of human nature is both profound and deeply moving.

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