Where I End By Sophie White

Where I End, the winner of the Shirley Jackson Award, is a haunting modern gothic horror that delves into obsession and family curses on a remote Irish island. Aoileann, a lonely young woman, has never known friendship or schooling, trapped in a monotonous life with her mother, whom she refers to as the "bed-thing." This silent, bedridden figure is a shadow of her former self, a constant reminder of a tragedy that weighs heavily on their household. Aoileann and her grandmother's lives revolve around caring for the bed-thing, with each day blending into the next in their windswept isolation.

The island, with its craggy shores and whispering winds, seems imbued with a dark energy, sharing secrets only Aoileann can hear. When Rachel, a lively artist from the mainland, arrives with her fussy newborn, she ignites feelings in Aoileann that are both foreign and intoxicating. Rachel's vivacity stands in stark contrast to Aoileann's stifling existence, awakening long-buried desires and the longing for connection.

As Aoileann becomes increasingly consumed by her obsession with Rachel and haunted by the mysteries surrounding her mother's past, the fragile balance of their lives unravels. The secrets of the island and the tragedies of the women entwine, leading to an inevitable collision that threatens to engulf them all. Praised by New York Times bestselling author John Connolly as "perhaps the finest Irish horror novel of the 21st century," Where I End draws readers into a chilling exploration of family resentments and the dark depths of desire. 📚❤️