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Exquisite Corpse
‘Haunting.’ – Australian Women’s Weekly
Romance is dead…He pulled up his stool and looked me over carefully, lightly touching my skin here and there.
‘Because, my sweet girl, you are so very beautiful and that beauty deserves to be recorded for the world to see.’
Beautiful but impoverished Lina Dahlstrom is dying of tuberculosis and it seems that no one can save her. All hope is lost until an eccentric doctor, Carl Dance, becomes enthralled with Lina’s charms and vows to do everything in his power to cure her. But when the illness inevitably claims Lina’s life, Dance’s obsession with her only grows and so begins a mad and criminal scheme to bring her back from beyond the grave and claim her as his own forever.
Set in Stockholm in 1930 and based on true events, Exquisite Corpse is a story about the madness and horror of a romance that knows no bounds.
‘A brilliant hammer-swing at the notion that a woman is her most beautiful in death, Peričić’s darkly visceral account of entitlement and deluded obsession is jaw-dropping. Exquisite Corpse is ingenious Australian gothic at its macbre best.’ – Sarah Schmidt, author of The Blue Hour and See What I Have Done
‘Historical fiction for a post #metoo world, Exquisite Corpse gets to the bone-tingling core of why consent matters, and always has.’ – Pip Smith, author of Half Wild
Romance is dead…He pulled up his stool and looked me over carefully, lightly touching my skin here and there.
‘Because, my sweet girl, you are so very beautiful and that beauty deserves to be recorded for the world to see.’
Beautiful but impoverished Lina Dahlstrom is dying of tuberculosis and it seems that no one can save her. All hope is lost until an eccentric doctor, Carl Dance, becomes enthralled with Lina’s charms and vows to do everything in his power to cure her. But when the illness inevitably claims Lina’s life, Dance’s obsession with her only grows and so begins a mad and criminal scheme to bring her back from beyond the grave and claim her as his own forever.
Set in Stockholm in 1930 and based on true events, Exquisite Corpse is a story about the madness and horror of a romance that knows no bounds.
‘A brilliant hammer-swing at the notion that a woman is her most beautiful in death, Peričić’s darkly visceral account of entitlement and deluded obsession is jaw-dropping. Exquisite Corpse is ingenious Australian gothic at its macbre best.’ – Sarah Schmidt, author of The Blue Hour and See What I Have Done
‘Historical fiction for a post #metoo world, Exquisite Corpse gets to the bone-tingling core of why consent matters, and always has.’ – Pip Smith, author of Half Wild
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2023
9 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 16, 2025
Haunting historical fiction, inspired by horrifying real events.
November 4, 2023
- thanks to @ultimopress for my #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I was wise enough not to do any research before reading Exquisite Corpse, and I advise everyone to do the same. I had a faint idea that this novel was based on a true story, and, for some inexplicable reason, I resisted the urge to investigate the real story that served as inspiration until I finished the novel. And I am beyond glad I did.
The story of Lina and Dr Dance is a fascinating one, to say the least. I am strangely but unashamedly fascinated by gothic stories, especially those exploring the fine line between love, obsession and, most importantly, consent. Set in Stockholm in the 1930s, Pericic's novel has all the necessary ingredients for a gripping, thrilling and all-consuming story, packed to the brim with delusion, crime and horror.
Aside from delivering a fulfilling and satisfactory narrative that is hard to forget, Pericic also indulges us with a thorough and thought-provoking exploration of how, historically, women have always been at a stark disadvantage when seeking any health-related support. Thanks to a subtle and compassionate approach, the author dives into the minds of several characters to portray social issues of an era that are, unfortunately, still relevant in today's world, adding an exquisite (no pun intended) layer of nuance to the novel.
However, rest assured, Exquisite Corpse is easily digestible and approachable: is it as horrifying as it is nuanced and entertaining. It is not for the faint-hearted, yet it is a delightful read for those needing a compulsive story with great characterisation, solid writing and the willingness to think deeply about romanticism at its darkest.
Overall, Exquisite Corpse is an enthralling and entertaining read that delves into relevant themes through a historical and fictional lens. Disturbing, grotesque and fascinating, I for sure will be thinking about this novel for a very long time. 100% recommended, and for a much richer experience, I recommend discussing it with fellow readers.
I was wise enough not to do any research before reading Exquisite Corpse, and I advise everyone to do the same. I had a faint idea that this novel was based on a true story, and, for some inexplicable reason, I resisted the urge to investigate the real story that served as inspiration until I finished the novel. And I am beyond glad I did.
The story of Lina and Dr Dance is a fascinating one, to say the least. I am strangely but unashamedly fascinated by gothic stories, especially those exploring the fine line between love, obsession and, most importantly, consent. Set in Stockholm in the 1930s, Pericic's novel has all the necessary ingredients for a gripping, thrilling and all-consuming story, packed to the brim with delusion, crime and horror.
Aside from delivering a fulfilling and satisfactory narrative that is hard to forget, Pericic also indulges us with a thorough and thought-provoking exploration of how, historically, women have always been at a stark disadvantage when seeking any health-related support. Thanks to a subtle and compassionate approach, the author dives into the minds of several characters to portray social issues of an era that are, unfortunately, still relevant in today's world, adding an exquisite (no pun intended) layer of nuance to the novel.
However, rest assured, Exquisite Corpse is easily digestible and approachable: is it as horrifying as it is nuanced and entertaining. It is not for the faint-hearted, yet it is a delightful read for those needing a compulsive story with great characterisation, solid writing and the willingness to think deeply about romanticism at its darkest.
Overall, Exquisite Corpse is an enthralling and entertaining read that delves into relevant themes through a historical and fictional lens. Disturbing, grotesque and fascinating, I for sure will be thinking about this novel for a very long time. 100% recommended, and for a much richer experience, I recommend discussing it with fellow readers.
April 22, 2024
Interesting and entertaining enough. But not a lot of depth to the story or details.
October 11, 2024
I've been fascinated by the real-life inspiration for this story since I first heard of it a few years ago on a true crime podcast, so when I discovered a retelling of it, I knew I had to read it.
Was kind of expecting more Horror than was in the story. Don't get me wrong, it's a horrific story and the details are gross and disgusting, but I thought it would lean more Horror than just Historical Fiction.
The book started off really strong and I couldn't put it down, but as we moved through the various POVs and got further through the story, I found myself slowly losing interest.
Overall, an okay book, but not a fantastic one.
Was kind of expecting more Horror than was in the story. Don't get me wrong, it's a horrific story and the details are gross and disgusting, but I thought it would lean more Horror than just Historical Fiction.
The book started off really strong and I couldn't put it down, but as we moved through the various POVs and got further through the story, I found myself slowly losing interest.
Overall, an okay book, but not a fantastic one.
December 31, 2024
This was an interesting read, though it won't be for everyone due to some graphic depictions of a twisted form of love. It was a random find at the local library and is loosely based on a true story. I enjoyed the way the narrative was split between four character perspectives. I also loved the Swedish setting. The theme of obsession is coupled with love, loss, and lies. It certainly was a tale that had me captivated, despite the darkness!
July 23, 2023
The treatment of Lina, primarily after death, by Dr Dance was so grotesque it made seriously unpleasant reading. The use of ghost-Lina as a witness to her own defilement while unable to act was especially awful.
It makes a point about consent, but I’m not sure it’s worth sloshing about in the sewer for.
It makes a point about consent, but I’m not sure it’s worth sloshing about in the sewer for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2023
A truly ludicrous badly written book.
March 17, 2024
I have never wished for a “based on true events” claim to be false more than right now.
August 22, 2024
How ... disturbing... Undeniably sick. However, it was written well, it lost a few stars for me only because I feel like some things needed more clarification, in my opinion tho.
November 13, 2024
I found it hard to review this book. It is bone-chilling and grotesque - there are pages I had to read through squinted eyes.
And yet, it centres the (and despises the lack of) agency of women and is a reflection of the fierceness of women supporting one another. It gives insight into the self-justifying patterns it is all too easy to fall into.
And yet, it centres the (and despises the lack of) agency of women and is a reflection of the fierceness of women supporting one another. It gives insight into the self-justifying patterns it is all too easy to fall into.
October 3, 2023
“And though the treatments were free, I paid every time his eyes landed on me.”
When Lina, the beautiful daughter of an impoverished family, develops tuberculosis in 1930s Stockholm, the eccentric and pushy American Doctor Carl Dance presents himself as her only salvation – even long after she has passed away.
A vividly rendered, horrifyingly detailed and ultimately compassionate novel about one man’s deluded obsession and the ripple effects it has on the community.
Based on a true story (if you have the stomach to look it up) but told aslant, with the context changed – it rings no less true and is a service to the lost voice of the victim.
Told from four different perspectives: Lina’s sister, Lina’s doctor, Lina herself, and the doctor’s wife, this patchwork narrative becomes a fascinating and extreme portrait of the price women have historically paid for medical help.
When Lina, the beautiful daughter of an impoverished family, develops tuberculosis in 1930s Stockholm, the eccentric and pushy American Doctor Carl Dance presents himself as her only salvation – even long after she has passed away.
A vividly rendered, horrifyingly detailed and ultimately compassionate novel about one man’s deluded obsession and the ripple effects it has on the community.
Based on a true story (if you have the stomach to look it up) but told aslant, with the context changed – it rings no less true and is a service to the lost voice of the victim.
Told from four different perspectives: Lina’s sister, Lina’s doctor, Lina herself, and the doctor’s wife, this patchwork narrative becomes a fascinating and extreme portrait of the price women have historically paid for medical help.
October 5, 2023
Not sure why I was surprised by the necrophilia considering the blurb and title 🤪
March 19, 2024
Exquisite Corpse, by Melbourne-based author Marija Peričić, is a disturbing book bordering horror novel. Disturbing, because its theme of control is so compellingly handled that contemporary readers can relate to it, despite the fact that it is based on a historical case in Florida in the 1930s.
Bordering horror, because the book delves into the power dynamics of the case, of gender, sex and violence, of social class differences, and of marriage as an institution. Because some aspects of these issues never seem to change, despite decades of collective efforts of individuals and communities to change them.
There is no doubt that our world today is far different from what it used to be, and we shudder while reading Exquisite Corpse because we can clearly see the problem and how it impacts those characters involved. We see how tuberculous weakens a family in Stockholm that is already poor, so that they have to accept help from a stranger.
We see how Dr Carl Dance takes advantage of the situation in order to lay his hands on young Lena, while persuading his wife Doris that “it is only right that we, being in a position to help, out to do so. It was our responsibility”. We see how he quickly finds excuses for his own lustful leer at her beauty and vulnerability:
“I could see that the Dahlstroms were in dire need of help, and I was in a position to give it. Simple. Sure, it might be true that I had a soft spot for Mrs Dahlstrom from the beginning, but she was so pleasant to be around that it would have been hard to find any man who wasn't a little sweet on her.”
Even Lena's death cannot free her from Dance's control, as he pays for her funeral, designs her coffin, arranges her embalming and builds her tomb – and proceeds to claim her as his bride. His desire to possess her becomes so desperate and dangerous that he moves her decaying corpse to his apartment in order to revive her.
Luckily, the story is narrated from the perspectives of not just Dance but also Doris, Lina's sister Greta, and Lina herself as a trapped soul. As unpleasant as it is to read about Dance's self-entitlement, we are rescued by Lina's voice as she starts to wrestle back control of the narrative. We are further liberated by Doris who fights for her independence even when everyone else tells her to “think of her wifely duty” and stand beside her husband.
Exquisite Corpse is not an easy read. However, as praised by Bec Kavanagh, a Melbourne-based writer and academic whose work examines the representation of women's bodies in literature: “A book like this doesn't want to be pleasurable. It is provocative and disquieting, a deliberate disturbance of the status quo of both today, and our bygone era.”
In the author's own words: “It's a story about misunderstanding and entitlement and coercion, and I wanted to bring those elements out.”
Bordering horror, because the book delves into the power dynamics of the case, of gender, sex and violence, of social class differences, and of marriage as an institution. Because some aspects of these issues never seem to change, despite decades of collective efforts of individuals and communities to change them.
There is no doubt that our world today is far different from what it used to be, and we shudder while reading Exquisite Corpse because we can clearly see the problem and how it impacts those characters involved. We see how tuberculous weakens a family in Stockholm that is already poor, so that they have to accept help from a stranger.
We see how Dr Carl Dance takes advantage of the situation in order to lay his hands on young Lena, while persuading his wife Doris that “it is only right that we, being in a position to help, out to do so. It was our responsibility”. We see how he quickly finds excuses for his own lustful leer at her beauty and vulnerability:
“I could see that the Dahlstroms were in dire need of help, and I was in a position to give it. Simple. Sure, it might be true that I had a soft spot for Mrs Dahlstrom from the beginning, but she was so pleasant to be around that it would have been hard to find any man who wasn't a little sweet on her.”
Even Lena's death cannot free her from Dance's control, as he pays for her funeral, designs her coffin, arranges her embalming and builds her tomb – and proceeds to claim her as his bride. His desire to possess her becomes so desperate and dangerous that he moves her decaying corpse to his apartment in order to revive her.
Luckily, the story is narrated from the perspectives of not just Dance but also Doris, Lina's sister Greta, and Lina herself as a trapped soul. As unpleasant as it is to read about Dance's self-entitlement, we are rescued by Lina's voice as she starts to wrestle back control of the narrative. We are further liberated by Doris who fights for her independence even when everyone else tells her to “think of her wifely duty” and stand beside her husband.
Exquisite Corpse is not an easy read. However, as praised by Bec Kavanagh, a Melbourne-based writer and academic whose work examines the representation of women's bodies in literature: “A book like this doesn't want to be pleasurable. It is provocative and disquieting, a deliberate disturbance of the status quo of both today, and our bygone era.”
In the author's own words: “It's a story about misunderstanding and entitlement and coercion, and I wanted to bring those elements out.”
December 11, 2023
This unsettling novel is based on a true story. Set in Stockholm in 1930, Lina Dahlstrom is dying of tuberculosis and despite her sister's misgivings, is drawn into the sphere of an eccentric doctor, Carl Dance, who claims that he can cure her. When she dies, his obsession with her grows stronger, and he embarks on a repugnant and criminal scheme to keep her as his own for ever.
The story is told in four narratives, each roughly approximate in length, that move the story along chronologically. Part I is told by Greta, a young tobacco factory worker, who is frantic to get medical assistance for her sister Lina, who is floating through tuberculosis, rather indifferent to her fate - apparently one of the emotional manifestations of tuberculosis. With few resources, Greta urges her sister to accept the offer of help by Dr. Dance, even though she feels uneasy around him. Part II is told by Dr Dance as he becomes increasingly unhinged in his obsession with Greta's corpse, and it is here that my scoffing at the implausability needs to be tempered by my remembrance that there is a kernel of truth here. I think that this is probably the most disturbing, and the best written part of the book. Part III is told by Lina's corpse - hard narrative trick to speak on behalf of a corpse, but others have done it too- as the sheer perversion of Dr Dance's actions are perpetrated on her. Pericic gives her a wry humour that is not apparent in the first section, through her sister's eyes, but perhaps a sensibility that is more 21st century than 20th century. The final Part IV is told from the perspective of Dance's wife Doris, as she is pressured both by Dance and his friends, into maintaining a veneer of support for Dance when he appears in court. Indirectly, we see another side of Dance here, as he wheedles and manipulates Doris, who is another of his victims.
You can read my complete review here: https://residentjudge.com/2023/12/11/...
The story is told in four narratives, each roughly approximate in length, that move the story along chronologically. Part I is told by Greta, a young tobacco factory worker, who is frantic to get medical assistance for her sister Lina, who is floating through tuberculosis, rather indifferent to her fate - apparently one of the emotional manifestations of tuberculosis. With few resources, Greta urges her sister to accept the offer of help by Dr. Dance, even though she feels uneasy around him. Part II is told by Dr Dance as he becomes increasingly unhinged in his obsession with Greta's corpse, and it is here that my scoffing at the implausability needs to be tempered by my remembrance that there is a kernel of truth here. I think that this is probably the most disturbing, and the best written part of the book. Part III is told by Lina's corpse - hard narrative trick to speak on behalf of a corpse, but others have done it too- as the sheer perversion of Dr Dance's actions are perpetrated on her. Pericic gives her a wry humour that is not apparent in the first section, through her sister's eyes, but perhaps a sensibility that is more 21st century than 20th century. The final Part IV is told from the perspective of Dance's wife Doris, as she is pressured both by Dance and his friends, into maintaining a veneer of support for Dance when he appears in court. Indirectly, we see another side of Dance here, as he wheedles and manipulates Doris, who is another of his victims.
You can read my complete review here: https://residentjudge.com/2023/12/11/...
November 2, 2023
With a title like Exquisite Corpse, of course I’m going to be intrigued. That then lead to me reading the blurb and I knew this book was a must! 🥀
The best way I can describe Exquisite Corpse is deliciously disturbing and I loved every single page.
We get to experience this macabre tale in 4 parts. Each part is told through the eyes of a different character and, as the story develops, the darker it becomes.
I love when we move from Greta’s pov to Dr Dance’s because it’s at that point you truly see how deluded & insane he has become.
What’s truly perturbing are the women who romanticise Dr Dance’s action. It conjured up images of the women at Ted Bundy’s trial, all professing their love for him. I guess it shows how twisted & complex people can be.
EC is brilliantly written with powerful & grisly imagery throughout.
* E.g ~ Her once beautiful silk dress had become a layer of gelatinous slime that clung to her putrefying flesh.
This is based on a true story, (I believe of a man called Carl Tanzler), and has intrigued me enough that I’ll be researching what happened to him & his dead muse!
This tale shows that a pretty face has the power to possess a man so much that he believes not even death can part them.
Thank you, NetGalley & Ultimo Press, for the arc of this unsettling tale that has me hooked.
I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my collection. 🥀♥️
The best way I can describe Exquisite Corpse is deliciously disturbing and I loved every single page.
We get to experience this macabre tale in 4 parts. Each part is told through the eyes of a different character and, as the story develops, the darker it becomes.
I love when we move from Greta’s pov to Dr Dance’s because it’s at that point you truly see how deluded & insane he has become.
What’s truly perturbing are the women who romanticise Dr Dance’s action. It conjured up images of the women at Ted Bundy’s trial, all professing their love for him. I guess it shows how twisted & complex people can be.
EC is brilliantly written with powerful & grisly imagery throughout.
* E.g ~ Her once beautiful silk dress had become a layer of gelatinous slime that clung to her putrefying flesh.
This is based on a true story, (I believe of a man called Carl Tanzler), and has intrigued me enough that I’ll be researching what happened to him & his dead muse!
This tale shows that a pretty face has the power to possess a man so much that he believes not even death can part them.
Thank you, NetGalley & Ultimo Press, for the arc of this unsettling tale that has me hooked.
I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my collection. 🥀♥️
December 1, 2023
The ‘based on real life’ story intrigued me. However this was a major disappointment. At first the English was so clipped I thought it was written from a translation (that I wouldn’t mind if it WAS a translation) this was not. Not knowing (or remembering the finer details) I couldn’t remember the time of the crime - it’s not till after 100 pages that the year is mentioned. An oversight, as I didn’t know when it was set. Not sure why she chose Nordic countries either, don’t know what it added. As other reviewers have said it’s an ‘easy read’ hmmm well it shouldn’t be. It actually reads quite simply. Not sure if the author meant that either. The POV of the deceased. Well I guess she had to do it to give us perspective, but the devise didn’t work for me. At all. Clumsy and unimpressive.
January 6, 2025
⭐️5/5⭐️
THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE. I almost can’t fault it. It did everything I hoped it would! The story was so so disgusting that at times I needed to take a breather but it was written so perfectly as if directly from the minds of each individual character. The ending was so incredibly satisfying and I felt a sense of dread knowing it was over because I couldn’t get enough of it. The story was so dark and morbid and it reminded me so much of Anatoly Moskvin who grave-robbed and mummified female corpses. I was tossing up between a 4.75 and a 5 star rating with the difference being how often I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I found myself constantly thinking about this book ! I even gave my boyfriend a detailed play-by-play whilst we were walking around. If I wasn’t abroad I would’ve absolutely consumed this in one sitting.
THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE. I almost can’t fault it. It did everything I hoped it would! The story was so so disgusting that at times I needed to take a breather but it was written so perfectly as if directly from the minds of each individual character. The ending was so incredibly satisfying and I felt a sense of dread knowing it was over because I couldn’t get enough of it. The story was so dark and morbid and it reminded me so much of Anatoly Moskvin who grave-robbed and mummified female corpses. I was tossing up between a 4.75 and a 5 star rating with the difference being how often I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I found myself constantly thinking about this book ! I even gave my boyfriend a detailed play-by-play whilst we were walking around. If I wasn’t abroad I would’ve absolutely consumed this in one sitting.
August 22, 2023
I did not finish this book. The writing was clumsy - I wondered if it was the author’s second language or is it a poor translation. We know right from the start that Lina is unwell and we see how she and her family deal with it. I just could not get into the story.
August 21, 2025
3.75 stars (specific, i know, but i'm following my heart)
exquisite corpse follows a young married woman, lina dahlstrom, who is suffering from pulmonary tb, and the doctor treating her who becomes obsessed with her beauty, especially after her death.
first off, please note, i'm unaware of the history this book was based on. i only found out about it reading the acknowledgements, but i'm interested to learn about it!!
the book is split into four points of view - one of my favourite parts was when dr dance is like "lina's totally coming back it's not that ridiculous blah blah blah" however, i was a bit confused on why one of the povs used "you" to the audience (two did this, but one was explained kind of? tbd how reasonable i feel that explanation was). do they have an audience, is it a diary, is it just in their heads? often, i opt for the latter, and chapters like those in lina's voice allowed me that, but not all of them did.
speaking of the four povs, i found that those shifting perspectives fleshed out the story and the characters were strongly illustrated through the different narrators. it provided better insight into all the situations going on, even from greta's view of petter to lina's. it's also fun to see just how unreliable that unreliable narrator is. that being said, while doris was great, i think her perspective was unnecessary?? there's a certain plot thread that just felt like it was only introduced in the last 75%, while maybe it related to other themes, so the conclusion was less satisfying because it wasn't really about lina, who is the central character (in my opinion). however, this is also the risk one takes of structuring a book in the way this was.
there's body horror (hence the title) which i got excited about, but it just didn't hit the spot for me. that is with the exception of chapter 7 from lina's perspective, that i found very engrossing.
be warned: there is what i will call sexual assault of a corpse and necrophilia in this book (using both terms because i feel just the one doesn't cover it). again, hence the title, this is a major part of the story being told. i think it's shown very well; i felt disgusted by it, just as the author clearly intended. dr dance is a major fucking creep, and it is very obvious, even while we are in his head. he's also just super annoying (which i presume the author intended).
i do find the themes of feminism interesting, but i believe they're done better and more consistently through the narrative in jessica knoll's bright young women (particularly the way media, the courts, and society treat guilty but attractive men who commit crimes against women; and women leading satisfying lives without centring men despite internalising the message that we should). for body horror that hits the mark better for me, i recommend latin epic poetry (lucan's pharsalia and ovid's metamorphoses. trust). BUT if you want something creepy with an interesting, albeit disturbing, plot set in 1930s sweden, with all the dismal vibes that suggests, this is a good read. i'm excited to see what peričić puts out in future.
exquisite corpse follows a young married woman, lina dahlstrom, who is suffering from pulmonary tb, and the doctor treating her who becomes obsessed with her beauty, especially after her death.
first off, please note, i'm unaware of the history this book was based on. i only found out about it reading the acknowledgements, but i'm interested to learn about it!!
the book is split into four points of view - one of my favourite parts was when dr dance is like "lina's totally coming back it's not that ridiculous blah blah blah" however, i was a bit confused on why one of the povs used "you" to the audience (two did this, but one was explained kind of? tbd how reasonable i feel that explanation was). do they have an audience, is it a diary, is it just in their heads? often, i opt for the latter, and chapters like those in lina's voice allowed me that, but not all of them did.
speaking of the four povs, i found that those shifting perspectives fleshed out the story and the characters were strongly illustrated through the different narrators. it provided better insight into all the situations going on, even from greta's view of petter to lina's. it's also fun to see just how unreliable that unreliable narrator is. that being said, while doris was great, i think her perspective was unnecessary?? there's a certain plot thread that just felt like it was only introduced in the last 75%, while maybe it related to other themes, so the conclusion was less satisfying because it wasn't really about lina, who is the central character (in my opinion). however, this is also the risk one takes of structuring a book in the way this was.
there's body horror (hence the title) which i got excited about, but it just didn't hit the spot for me. that is with the exception of chapter 7 from lina's perspective, that i found very engrossing.
be warned: there is what i will call sexual assault of a corpse and necrophilia in this book (using both terms because i feel just the one doesn't cover it). again, hence the title, this is a major part of the story being told. i think it's shown very well; i felt disgusted by it, just as the author clearly intended. dr dance is a major fucking creep, and it is very obvious, even while we are in his head. he's also just super annoying (which i presume the author intended).
i do find the themes of feminism interesting, but i believe they're done better and more consistently through the narrative in jessica knoll's bright young women (particularly the way media, the courts, and society treat guilty but attractive men who commit crimes against women; and women leading satisfying lives without centring men despite internalising the message that we should). for body horror that hits the mark better for me, i recommend latin epic poetry (lucan's pharsalia and ovid's metamorphoses. trust). BUT if you want something creepy with an interesting, albeit disturbing, plot set in 1930s sweden, with all the dismal vibes that suggests, this is a good read. i'm excited to see what peričić puts out in future.
May 25, 2023
I'll start with saying that I know Marija personally, so take this review in this context. Having said that, I didn't review her first book because it really wasn't my type of literature and I couldn't finish it. This one isn't either, but it's closer and much easier to read.
There are going to be obvious comparisons between this book and Frankenstein, but that wouldn't be accurate. Classifying this book is also extremely difficult. It should be interesting to see people try.
The book is written in four sections, each from the point of view of a different character. Each has a distinct style, conveying that character's personality. The sister feels like a simple summer's day, that gradually cools to autumn as illness progresses. The doctor is manic and the victim oscillates before moving into a quest for self-empowerment. I was especially surprised by the last part - the wife - which suddenly felt more like a "normal" story but managed to tie up all of the ends masterfully. (I'm not using names in case that is a spoiler in some way.)
If the entire book had been written from the doctor's point of view then it would have been closer to Frankenstein and perhaps been mostly an examination of how self-delusion can impact lives. I'm glad it wasn't, because this was the part I found the most difficult to read. The doctor is obviously suffering from some sort of mental health issues, but this isn't offered as an excuse or otherwise emphasized.
As to the others - the sister, the victim and the wife - they all have unique points of view and all of them are victims in one way or another. The book doesn't treat them that way though. It does demonstrate some of their point of view and the experiences that they suffer. If these points had been pushed more strongly the book would have been far less readable, but they're raised sufficiently to make the point.
At this point I should warn any potential readers that there are several topics in the book that may cause difficulties for some readers, from necrophilia to sexual assault and abuse of power imbalances. It's going to upset some people, but displaying dark truths should do that.
I wouldn't read this for light entertainment, but for a comparatively entertaining book (I usually much lighter works) that has more than enough meat to provoke thought and debate this seems ideal. A reading circle would probably find this idea, assuming members are ready to discuss darker issues.
There are going to be obvious comparisons between this book and Frankenstein, but that wouldn't be accurate. Classifying this book is also extremely difficult. It should be interesting to see people try.
The book is written in four sections, each from the point of view of a different character. Each has a distinct style, conveying that character's personality. The sister feels like a simple summer's day, that gradually cools to autumn as illness progresses. The doctor is manic and the victim oscillates before moving into a quest for self-empowerment. I was especially surprised by the last part - the wife - which suddenly felt more like a "normal" story but managed to tie up all of the ends masterfully. (I'm not using names in case that is a spoiler in some way.)
If the entire book had been written from the doctor's point of view then it would have been closer to Frankenstein and perhaps been mostly an examination of how self-delusion can impact lives. I'm glad it wasn't, because this was the part I found the most difficult to read. The doctor is obviously suffering from some sort of mental health issues, but this isn't offered as an excuse or otherwise emphasized.
As to the others - the sister, the victim and the wife - they all have unique points of view and all of them are victims in one way or another. The book doesn't treat them that way though. It does demonstrate some of their point of view and the experiences that they suffer. If these points had been pushed more strongly the book would have been far less readable, but they're raised sufficiently to make the point.
At this point I should warn any potential readers that there are several topics in the book that may cause difficulties for some readers, from necrophilia to sexual assault and abuse of power imbalances. It's going to upset some people, but displaying dark truths should do that.
I wouldn't read this for light entertainment, but for a comparatively entertaining book (I usually much lighter works) that has more than enough meat to provoke thought and debate this seems ideal. A reading circle would probably find this idea, assuming members are ready to discuss darker issues.
abandoned
September 8, 2025As you can see from my review at ANZ LitLovers, I am a keen admirer of Marija Peričić's work, and Peter Mathews' explanation in the comments below that the term 'exquisite corpse' alluded to a game played by the Surrealists, was the catalyst for me to reserve her second novel from the library. I had completely forgotten that I'd seen a review of Exquisite Corpse at The Resident Judge.
I didn't think that the writing in the first part of Exquisite Corpse was as effective as the other novels, but I still found the narrative compelling. Part 1 is narrated by Greta, sister of Lina who has been diagnosed with TB. The family is poor and so Greta fights hard to have them accept the offer of free treatment from an American doctor called Dr Dance. He's clearly sleazy but Lina is so beautiful and has always had so much male attention — and the urgency of Lina's condition is so desperate — that Greta dismisses Dance's interest as manageable. The rendering of family dynamics is particularly well done, and Peričić writes about what was in 1930 experimental treatment of TB with clarity despite its technicalities.
However, Part II is narrated by Dance himself, and although I already knew that the novel is based on a real doctor who was obsessed with the corpse of one of his patients, I found myself becoming squeamish about what was in store. It was at about page 130 when Dance exhumed the corpse and Peričić describes the state of the body's putrefaction so vividly that I decided to stop. While the book explores important issues of equitable access to health care, male entitlement and the importance of consent, it's just too grotesque for me to want to read.
I don't rate books I don't finish.
I didn't think that the writing in the first part of Exquisite Corpse was as effective as the other novels, but I still found the narrative compelling. Part 1 is narrated by Greta, sister of Lina who has been diagnosed with TB. The family is poor and so Greta fights hard to have them accept the offer of free treatment from an American doctor called Dr Dance. He's clearly sleazy but Lina is so beautiful and has always had so much male attention — and the urgency of Lina's condition is so desperate — that Greta dismisses Dance's interest as manageable. The rendering of family dynamics is particularly well done, and Peričić writes about what was in 1930 experimental treatment of TB with clarity despite its technicalities.
However, Part II is narrated by Dance himself, and although I already knew that the novel is based on a real doctor who was obsessed with the corpse of one of his patients, I found myself becoming squeamish about what was in store. It was at about page 130 when Dance exhumed the corpse and Peričić describes the state of the body's putrefaction so vividly that I decided to stop. While the book explores important issues of equitable access to health care, male entitlement and the importance of consent, it's just too grotesque for me to want to read.
I don't rate books I don't finish.
September 23, 2023
Set in Stockholm in 1930 and based on true events, Exquisite Corpse is a story about the madness and horror of a romance that knows no bounds.”
When I saw the blurb for this book I was intrigued as it’s both historical fiction and mentions corpses. It’s also based on true events so I automatically wanted to read it.
Lina Dahlstrom is beautiful but poor and when tests show that she has tuberculosis it seems that all hope is lost. Her husband and family cannot afford the fees to get Lina the healthcare that she needs. Then along comes Dr Dance who claims he can cure Lina and that he will do it for free. Linas sister Greta is all for it at first but then becomes wary of Dr Dance. Linas husband Petter outright refuses and states that the free hospital will help his wife. As Lina becomes more unwell Petter disappears. Lina agrees to the treatment that Dr Dance is offering but becomes more unwell and when news comes regarding Petters disappearance Lina finally succumbs to the illness. Dr Dance does not take this well and he becomes more obsessed than ever…..
I was not disappointed. This book was just so good. Dr Dance is just creepy from the off and the fact that he was so obsessed with Lina both in life and death was weird but also strangely intriguing as the book went on.
This book is so well written and tells the story from the POV of Greta, Dr Dance, Lina and Doris Dance (Dr Dances wife) and as the title states is exquisite but also a little bit sickening especially as this is based on true events. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone as it is so fascinating and well written.
When I saw the blurb for this book I was intrigued as it’s both historical fiction and mentions corpses. It’s also based on true events so I automatically wanted to read it.
Lina Dahlstrom is beautiful but poor and when tests show that she has tuberculosis it seems that all hope is lost. Her husband and family cannot afford the fees to get Lina the healthcare that she needs. Then along comes Dr Dance who claims he can cure Lina and that he will do it for free. Linas sister Greta is all for it at first but then becomes wary of Dr Dance. Linas husband Petter outright refuses and states that the free hospital will help his wife. As Lina becomes more unwell Petter disappears. Lina agrees to the treatment that Dr Dance is offering but becomes more unwell and when news comes regarding Petters disappearance Lina finally succumbs to the illness. Dr Dance does not take this well and he becomes more obsessed than ever…..
I was not disappointed. This book was just so good. Dr Dance is just creepy from the off and the fact that he was so obsessed with Lina both in life and death was weird but also strangely intriguing as the book went on.
This book is so well written and tells the story from the POV of Greta, Dr Dance, Lina and Doris Dance (Dr Dances wife) and as the title states is exquisite but also a little bit sickening especially as this is based on true events. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone as it is so fascinating and well written.
July 6, 2024
Is it wrong that I wanted this a lot darker, aha.
A great use of a true story for inspiration for fiction, told through four different perspectives. I appreciated that they were chosen to focus on different parts of the chronology. Mostly, this fell flat in places, particularly towards the end, and felt simplistic in its telling in others. Wrapped up in a neat little bow that I didn't really care for.
Because the focus for me of this horror was the transgression and delusions of Dr Dance, I wanted to spend more time with that narrative, and it came across sometimes as a recount rather than atmospheric and gothic. The horrors of tuberculosis itself could have also been longer, as it transgressed its way through Lina's body.
'Pulmonary tubercolosis, or consumption, has long been a highly romanticised illness on account of this. But the idea of TB being the most beautifying of diseases is more than a flourish of the poet's poem, it does hold a grain of truth within it. The sparkling eyes, the flushed cheeks and red lips of the sufferer can all be attributed to the constant low-grade fever; the pale skin and appealing languor to a decreased blood-oxygen saturation.'
'Every tick of that clock, I thought, marked the emergence of new bacteria and microbes by the thousand, bursting forth and massing together in Lina's flesh, preparing to destroy her skin, her organs, her bones. If I managed to fall asleep it was only to dream about her beautiful face slowly collapsing.'
'He squeezed the water out of what was left of my hair, pulling out more chunks as he did so. I could hear it coming out at the roots with a soft crackle, like when you pull up dandelions.'
A great use of a true story for inspiration for fiction, told through four different perspectives. I appreciated that they were chosen to focus on different parts of the chronology. Mostly, this fell flat in places, particularly towards the end, and felt simplistic in its telling in others. Wrapped up in a neat little bow that I didn't really care for.
Because the focus for me of this horror was the transgression and delusions of Dr Dance, I wanted to spend more time with that narrative, and it came across sometimes as a recount rather than atmospheric and gothic. The horrors of tuberculosis itself could have also been longer, as it transgressed its way through Lina's body.
'Pulmonary tubercolosis, or consumption, has long been a highly romanticised illness on account of this. But the idea of TB being the most beautifying of diseases is more than a flourish of the poet's poem, it does hold a grain of truth within it. The sparkling eyes, the flushed cheeks and red lips of the sufferer can all be attributed to the constant low-grade fever; the pale skin and appealing languor to a decreased blood-oxygen saturation.'
'Every tick of that clock, I thought, marked the emergence of new bacteria and microbes by the thousand, bursting forth and massing together in Lina's flesh, preparing to destroy her skin, her organs, her bones. If I managed to fall asleep it was only to dream about her beautiful face slowly collapsing.'
'He squeezed the water out of what was left of my hair, pulling out more chunks as he did so. I could hear it coming out at the roots with a soft crackle, like when you pull up dandelions.'
October 14, 2023
Set in 1930s Sweden, and based on real life events, this is shocking gothic horror story about one man’s obsession with a beautiful woman.
Carl Dance is an American scientist/self-styled doctor, who is working on radiation-based ways of curing TB. When he meets Lena Dahlstrom, who is beautiful and consumptive, he becomes completely fixated on curing her. When she dies, this fixation continues after her death, leading to some of the most horrible acts being perpetrated on her.
The book is fascinating, being told from the perspective of multiple participants in this dreadful tale, including the corpse itself. It is definitely not for the faint hearted, but it is compelling. Dance becomes a kind of romantic hero, who tries to revise a corpse in the name of love. His wife gets the last section of the book to narrate. It’s easy to see the societal expectations placed upon her, unable to divorce, and the turmoil her husband’s actions create.
A book which I’ll doubtless continue to think about for some time. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.
Carl Dance is an American scientist/self-styled doctor, who is working on radiation-based ways of curing TB. When he meets Lena Dahlstrom, who is beautiful and consumptive, he becomes completely fixated on curing her. When she dies, this fixation continues after her death, leading to some of the most horrible acts being perpetrated on her.
The book is fascinating, being told from the perspective of multiple participants in this dreadful tale, including the corpse itself. It is definitely not for the faint hearted, but it is compelling. Dance becomes a kind of romantic hero, who tries to revise a corpse in the name of love. His wife gets the last section of the book to narrate. It’s easy to see the societal expectations placed upon her, unable to divorce, and the turmoil her husband’s actions create.
A book which I’ll doubtless continue to think about for some time. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.
September 27, 2025
What can I say! This book had me questioning myself and why I read some of the books I do. It left me feeling sad, angry, speechless, disgusted, skin crawling and yet I had to finish it right to the very last page. I was wanting to read on to see if there was any revenge granted. The story line was great it had me needing to know the consequences that would occur due to ones insane actions. There are some triggers in this book that had me taking a breather while reading, they did my head in a bit but like I've said before these sort of things make the book a great read if you can handle it. There was mystery, murder, lust, betrayal, pure obsession, unspeakable acts and disgrace. I honestly did enjoy the book, it was wonderfully written and had me on edge. It is very different from your everyday romance and that is what makes this book unique. This book will not be for everyone, for the simple facts of it being based on a true story and the eventful triggers.
September 17, 2023
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review. This is an unusual narrative which has aspects of both Romance and Horror. Told through the voicees of the Main characters we are introduced to the final climax from different perspectives. I cannot say that I loved the way the narrative unfolded but it was not without merit. I will certainly remember it.
It is a tale of obsession rather than love. It has real highlights but I was disappointed with the ending which seemed very anti climatic
I am minded to look for other works by the same author
It falls somewhere between a 3 and 4 star review
It is a tale of obsession rather than love. It has real highlights but I was disappointed with the ending which seemed very anti climatic
I am minded to look for other works by the same author
It falls somewhere between a 3 and 4 star review
September 23, 2023
Lina is dying of TB when an eccentric Dr Carl Dance decides to help save her, unfortunately Lina died but Carl is determined to bring her back to life.
Lina is over 30yr than Carl and both married but he is madly in love with her and will do anything to bring her back to life.
A true story which I thought was very well written, it is very gross in places and you can`t believe what Carl did to Lina in the years he had her hidden away.
A different kind of book to what I normally read but if you are into true stories this one is definitely for you.
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review
Lina is over 30yr than Carl and both married but he is madly in love with her and will do anything to bring her back to life.
A true story which I thought was very well written, it is very gross in places and you can`t believe what Carl did to Lina in the years he had her hidden away.
A different kind of book to what I normally read but if you are into true stories this one is definitely for you.
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review
October 20, 2023
An good book. I didn’t realise until after finishing that it is a retelling of real events. I was utterly impressed by the way the author explores, through multi perspective writing, how a society can romanticise even some of the most heinous and gruesome acts of men. From the inner thoughts of a depraved doctor, to the inner thoughts of his victim we are taken on a journey where we consistently crave justice for the helpless person victimised.
We are not safe,
Even in death.
Would recommend if you have a strong stomach.
NB :)
We are not safe,
Even in death.
Would recommend if you have a strong stomach.
NB :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2024
Exquisite corpse horrified and enthralled me. However, the way that Marija Peričić told this true story from multiple perspectives offered some reprieve to the horror experienced by Lina. Peričić plays with themes about unattainable beauty, the fetishism of women's flesh, men's sense of entitlement - especially when there are socio-economic power imbalances - and ultimately, societal acceptance of these. The book also opened my eyes to the role that tuberculosis played in defining standards of feminine beauty that we still strive for today - Now, that's sick.
December 8, 2023
Um. This was terribly disappointing. Did I hate it, no. Did I like it? Also no. There’s nothing worse than a book that leaves you ambivalent. Whatever I was hoping for, this just wasn’t it. I’ve read many disturbing books over the years, so it wasn’t the content, it was the execution. Just messy and incomplete. You can’t have a ghost story which is what Lina becomes, disembodied, and then what? Just leave the section on her in mid air, with her just floating around for all of eternity?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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