Dystopian, Apparently
Last month’s dark comedy experiment seems to have lingered.
I didn’t set out to read and watch more dystopian-themed books and shows this month, but here we are. June’s story consumption took a darker turn, with thrillers, questionable realities, secretive people, and one very lonely woman in a world gone weird.
While a domestic thriller might not be 100% dystopian, it certainly felt like it in places. Suspicion, danger, people making questionable choices? Close enough.
I will admit this month’s show selection was more palatable than last month’s. And yes, it was still a recommendation. Apparently, I am impressionable when people say, “You should try this.”
Here’s my June story consumption.
🎧 Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
This domestic thriller delivers exactly what the genre promises: suspense, danger, secrets, lies, and unreliable narrators.
If you like thrillers where one bad decision leads to many, many more bad decisions, this one delivers. But I am now questioning everything anyone tells me.
You’ve been warned.
🎧 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Another thriller, this one leaned more literary, with a haunting atmosphere and a possible supernatural thread.
At least, I think it was supernatural.
I listened to the audiobook, and I’ll admit I spent part of the story trying to figure out what was real and what wasn’t. Had I been reading a print copy, I might have tracked it more clearly. Even so, it was an engrossing read with plenty to think about after the story ended
🎧 Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
This one was definitely supernatural, but boy did it make me laugh.
The children in this story catch fire when they get irritated. As a mother, I had two immediate reactions:
- That is a fantastic story premise.
- Thank goodness my children did not have this particular issue.
It is implausible in the best possible way, and somehow manages to be funny, strange, tender, and thought-provoking all at once.
🎧 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
As far as epistolary novels go, this one is currently my favorite.
I loved getting to know Sybil through her letters. She’s an older woman whose world is beginning to close in on her, but she is absolutely not going down without a fight.
This book made me want to write letters to people, just to see if anyone would write back. It also reminded me how much can be revealed in what a person chooses to say, what they avoid, and what they finally admit.
My dark comedy attempt, part two
📺 Pluribus
I share Carol’s name, though not her spelling, and I am very glad I do not share her affliction.
Being unaffected by a virus that takes over the population sounds good on the surface, but poor Carol struggles with being alone. And when I say struggles, I mean she complains.
Loudly.
Very loudly.
I made it through season one of the series. It has been renewed for season two, but I’m not sure I’ll continue. The concept is strong, and the premise is certainly interesting, but I don’t know that there is anything else I need to learn about Carol.
Which may be unfair.
But also, Carol would probably complain about that, too.
If you missed any of my previous What to Read segments and are always looking for more reading ideas, you can find them all in my monthly reading archive here. 📚✨
Until next time…