State of Paradise: A Novel by Laura van den Berg

"State of Paradise" by Laura van den Berg is a gripping and surreal novel set in a small town in Florida, where the normalcy of summer is disrupted by a series of bizarre events. The protagonist, a ghostwriter for a famous thriller author, finds herself in the midst of unsettling changes: strange illnesses that come and go, extreme weather, mysterious disappearances marked by posters of missing citizens, and the distribution of a reality-altering virtual reality device by a company named ELECTRA.

Living in her mother’s house, the protagonist navigates not only the eerie occurrences around her but also grapples with family secrets and fragmented memories from her troubled past. As tensions escalate, including the emergence of a cult in her living room and unsettling changes to her own body, the story takes a darker turn when her sister goes missing during a violent rainstorm. When her sister returns, she speaks of another dimension, adding a new layer of mystery and urgency to the protagonist’s investigation.

Laura van den Berg weaves a tale that blurs the lines between reality and the uncanny, exploring themes of selfhood, storytelling, and the elusive nature of truth. With a masterful command of atmosphere and a thrilling narrative style, "State of Paradise" immerses readers in a haunting and unpredictable journey. It challenges perceptions of reality while delving deep into the psychological and metaphysical implications of the events unfolding in this strange Florida town.

Through its intricate plot and compelling characters, "State of Paradise" promises a thought-provoking exploration of existential questions and the boundaries of human experience, leaving readers gripped until the final revelation. ❤️📚❤️