The Dangers of Smoking in Bed

by Mariana Enriquez, Mariana Enríquez
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed cover
Good Books rating 4.62
Short Story Collections
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 2209
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781783786725
  • Publisher: Granta Books
  • Published: 2021-01-14
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Mariana Enriquez's collection of short stories invites readers into a Buenos Aires teeming with sinister energy and unsettling secrets. These tales are not for the faint of heart, as they delve into themes of murder, curses, and the darker sides of human nature. Each story is a masterclass in suspense and horror, featuring women and girls whose actions lead them down twisted paths of obsession and despair. /n/n The author's mesmerizing prose and vivid imagery create an atmosphere of dread and unease, making this collection a standout in contemporary horror fiction. With praise from literary figures like Dave Eggers, Enriquez's work is a must-read for those who enjoy stories that push the boundaries of the macabre and the supernatural.

Reviews
I Would Rather Be Reading Blog · 2024-05-07
compelling 4.75

The stories are remarkably well-crafted and compulsive reading, making it an impressive feat that keeps readers engaged well past their bedtime.

The reviewer found the collection to be remarkably well-crafted and compulsive reading, praising the author's ability to keep readers engaged. They highlight the impressive feat of the stories, which are so captivating that they keep readers up well past their bedtime. The reviewer also notes the collection's ability to blend various elements seamlessly, making it a standout read. They appreciate the author's skill in creating stories that are both unusual and engaging.

Quick quotes

    The Dangers of Smoking in Bed is compulsive reading and remarkably well-crafted.

    It's an impressive feat that will keep you reading well past your bedtime.

    The stories are so captivating that they keep readers up well past their bedtime.

Leyendolatam · 2021-10-11
compelling 4.75

The collection is near-flawless, filled with uncanny and unnerving psychological short stories that will keep readers up at night.

The reviewer praises the collection for its near-flawless execution, highlighting the uncanny and unnerving nature of the stories. The psychological depth of the narratives is particularly noted, making the collection a compelling read. The reviewer also mentions how the stories are so engaging that they will keep readers up well past their bedtime, a testament to the author's skill in crafting suspenseful and thought-provoking tales.

Quick quotes

    The Dangers of Smoking in Bed is a near-flawless collection of uncanny, unnerving, and unsettling psychological short stories.

    The stories will have you sleeping with one eye open.

    It's an impressive feat that will keep you reading well past your bedtime.

The Times Literary Supplement · Lorna Scott Fox · 2021-05-14
potent 4.50

The collection combines Gothic horror with national history in a potent and engaging way, featuring ghosts and zombies of the junta.

Lorna Scott Fox highlights the collection's unique blend of Gothic horror and national history, creating a potent and engaging read. They praise the stories for their ability to intertwine historical events with supernatural elements, making it a standout collection. The reviewer also notes the collection's ability to evoke a sense of unease and fascination, with stories that are both chilling and thought-provoking. They appreciate the author's skill in creating a collection that is both historically grounded and eerily imaginative.

Quick quotes

    Ghosts and zombies of the junta. Gothic horror and national history combine in a potent collection by Mariana Enríquez.

    The stories are both chilling and thought-provoking.

    The collection is both historically grounded and eerily imaginative.

The Guardian · 2021-04-07
unsettling 4.50

This collection masterfully blends historical horrors with supernatural elements, creating a gripping and unsettling read. The stories are both chilling and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression.

The reviewer praises the collection for its unique blend of historical and supernatural horror, highlighting how it draws on the Argentinian military dictatorship to create a deeply unsettling atmosphere. They appreciate the way the stories intertwine daylight horrors with supernatural shocks, making it a gripping read. The collection is described as both chilling and thought-provoking, with a lasting impact on the reader. The reviewer also notes the skillful craftsmanship in each story, making it a standout collection.

Quick quotes

    A gripping collection that draws on the Argentinian military dictatorship to mix daylight horrors with supernatural shocks.

    The stories are both chilling and thought-provoking.

    The collection is a masterful blend of historical and supernatural horror.

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