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Isabel Burning
As a young woman raised in the soot-covered mediocrity of an English industrial town, Isabel has led a common and directionless life. Secretly she yearns to be the center of something, anything, that is momentous and vital. She dreams of making marks on the world.
Her new job as housekeeper at Grace mansion is hardly exciting but does surround her with the accouterments of aristocratic lineage while allowing her to observe the habits of the enigmatic Dr. Edward Grace. Captivated by his tales of travel to Africa, Isabel is inexorably drawn into a tumultuous relationship which eventually reveals the Grace family's dark heritage and lays bare every secret, even the ones she keeps from herself.
Her new job as housekeeper at Grace mansion is hardly exciting but does surround her with the accouterments of aristocratic lineage while allowing her to observe the habits of the enigmatic Dr. Edward Grace. Captivated by his tales of travel to Africa, Isabel is inexorably drawn into a tumultuous relationship which eventually reveals the Grace family's dark heritage and lays bare every secret, even the ones she keeps from herself.
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Donna Lynch
20 books51 followersDonna Lynch is a two-time Bram Stoker Award-nominated dark fiction writer, spoken word artist, and the co-founder—along with her husband, artist and musician Steven Archer—of the dark electro-rock band Ego Likeness (Metropolis Records). An active member of the Horror Writers Association, her published works include Isabel Burning, Red Horses, Driving Through the Desert; and the poetry collections In My Mouth, Ladies & Other Vicious Creatures, Daughters of Lilith, Witches, and the Ladies of Horror Fiction Award-winning Choking Back the Devil, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 18, 2013
There are a select few writers who are possessed of an ability to mold and reshape elements from different genres into a cohesive and compelling story. Donna Lynch can be counted among those few with “Isabel Burning.”
The description from the back covers the synopsis well without giving too much away, which I also hope to accomplish here while going into slightly more detail.
Lynch starts the reader off with a relationship and setting somewhat evocative of Austen; that of the lonely master and his manse and the new live-in serving girl. The romance that develops is thoroughly modern, however. The subtle and shifting roles of cat and mouse played by Isabel and Dr. Grace are far more direct and honest while still maintaining a mystique to the courtship, each holding their thoughts close like cards until the expected consummation.
It is at this point that Lynch really comes into her own with the narrative. Through the character of Edward Grace she slowly incorporates elements of religion and mysticism. These become more pronounced as the story blossoms, until what is seen early on as an eccentric interest in superstition becomes fully realized supernatural horror.
Driving this is the incredibly toxic relationship between Isabel and Edward. This device could be what turns off some readers. It is disturbing on many levels and cements Edward among the pantheon of psychopathic lovers. His careful manipulations and long-term plans that play out through the whole novel are worthy of a Dan Brown book, though Lynch does a much better job in creating tension and drawing out emotional response.
Further, Isabel's spiral from innocence, her “burning” as it were, complements the delicately revealed madness of Edward so well that by the final acts the reader finds that the couple are the perfect soulless mates.
In short, “Isabel Burning” is soul-searing, compelling storytelling. Read it now, and prepare for the 2013 release of the prequel/follow-up “Red Horses” which will also be available from Raw Dog Screaming Press. This novel will not leave you disappointed.
The description from the back covers the synopsis well without giving too much away, which I also hope to accomplish here while going into slightly more detail.
Lynch starts the reader off with a relationship and setting somewhat evocative of Austen; that of the lonely master and his manse and the new live-in serving girl. The romance that develops is thoroughly modern, however. The subtle and shifting roles of cat and mouse played by Isabel and Dr. Grace are far more direct and honest while still maintaining a mystique to the courtship, each holding their thoughts close like cards until the expected consummation.
It is at this point that Lynch really comes into her own with the narrative. Through the character of Edward Grace she slowly incorporates elements of religion and mysticism. These become more pronounced as the story blossoms, until what is seen early on as an eccentric interest in superstition becomes fully realized supernatural horror.
Driving this is the incredibly toxic relationship between Isabel and Edward. This device could be what turns off some readers. It is disturbing on many levels and cements Edward among the pantheon of psychopathic lovers. His careful manipulations and long-term plans that play out through the whole novel are worthy of a Dan Brown book, though Lynch does a much better job in creating tension and drawing out emotional response.
Further, Isabel's spiral from innocence, her “burning” as it were, complements the delicately revealed madness of Edward so well that by the final acts the reader finds that the couple are the perfect soulless mates.
In short, “Isabel Burning” is soul-searing, compelling storytelling. Read it now, and prepare for the 2013 release of the prequel/follow-up “Red Horses” which will also be available from Raw Dog Screaming Press. This novel will not leave you disappointed.
September 8, 2012
Donna Lynch is an amazing musician who writes great lyrics, insightful and full of imagery (and sometimes hard hitting and blunt). Thus, I decided I'd try her full length novel. It took me a while to pick it up as I knew it was billed as horror, and "disturbing" at that, which is not my usual fair. I'm glad I finally took a chance and read it.
The language and style was fairly easy to get into and made for a fast read, which is generally a plus in my book. The story is about two loners, a retired doctor and his newly hired housekeeper, and the strange twists and turns their relationship takes. It certainly does go to some dark places, so that may be a turn off for some readers.
I have two reasons as to why I thought the themes worked for me ultimately. First, I found that the tale hearkened back to classical mythology (I'm using classical in a broader sense here to cover not just classical Greece but also traditional myths from other "old" cultures). There are plenty of examples of strange, unusual relationships and imagery from myth and folklore, and I felt the tone of this book was in the same spirit, a modern myth if you will. Second, though really along the same lines, the way the book read to me is that there was a constant second layer to the narrative. On the one hand, there is the story of the actual literal events that happen, while on the other, everything is a metaphor for more "normal" relationships and how they can go wrong. At this layer, you see what could be standard arguments in troubled relationships, with a sense of a bit of exaggeration to stand out.
It's not for everyone, but if you're willing to confront some ugliness, there's some strong writing here which raises several questions to consider.
The language and style was fairly easy to get into and made for a fast read, which is generally a plus in my book. The story is about two loners, a retired doctor and his newly hired housekeeper, and the strange twists and turns their relationship takes. It certainly does go to some dark places, so that may be a turn off for some readers.
I have two reasons as to why I thought the themes worked for me ultimately. First, I found that the tale hearkened back to classical mythology (I'm using classical in a broader sense here to cover not just classical Greece but also traditional myths from other "old" cultures). There are plenty of examples of strange, unusual relationships and imagery from myth and folklore, and I felt the tone of this book was in the same spirit, a modern myth if you will. Second, though really along the same lines, the way the book read to me is that there was a constant second layer to the narrative. On the one hand, there is the story of the actual literal events that happen, while on the other, everything is a metaphor for more "normal" relationships and how they can go wrong. At this layer, you see what could be standard arguments in troubled relationships, with a sense of a bit of exaggeration to stand out.
It's not for everyone, but if you're willing to confront some ugliness, there's some strong writing here which raises several questions to consider.
February 26, 2014
One of only two books that made me physically ill...in a good way.
May 21, 2025
I’d been recommended this from an Illusion Horror Con panel. I think the person who recommended it said it was the most disturbing or most uncomfortable book they’d ever read. I can see where they’re coming from. It was certainly very weird. It does keep you engaged, but at the same time apart from covering some pretty taboo topics (below) nothing particularly stood out for me. It’s a sort of gothic horror set in more modern times. Some folk horror and body horror elements mixed in. Trigger warnings of incest, domestic abuse, physical and mental abuse, and drug use.
April 17, 2018
beautiful and horrifying weaving of scientific gothic with poetic ephemeral nightmare.
September 22, 2014
I'm not a horror reader. I'm especially not a creepy psychological/medical horror reader. I can't say that this book sucked me in (I broke it into fourths and read other books in between), but it was one of those "train wreck" situations in which you have to see how far down the rabbit hole (and by rabbit hole, I mean hell) the characters go. (The answer is pretty damn far.)
The writing and imagery are gorgeous and extremely well done, and that is what made me keep reading in the end. I'm not sure that I would read a sequel (not that it needs one), but luckily, there's a prequel! I'm off to read a SF novel as a palate cleanser, but then I will dive into RED HORSES and find out just how tied to their fate the characters in ISABEL BURNING were.
The writing and imagery are gorgeous and extremely well done, and that is what made me keep reading in the end. I'm not sure that I would read a sequel (not that it needs one), but luckily, there's a prequel! I'm off to read a SF novel as a palate cleanser, but then I will dive into RED HORSES and find out just how tied to their fate the characters in ISABEL BURNING were.
November 24, 2015
I have to be honest in the fact that I managed about 130 pages before I finally flipped to the end to read a little there. I just gave up. I couldn't force myself to read anymore.
This was a book chosen for our book club. It is vastly different from what I imagined from the description. I felt as if the author simply used first person to TELL us everything - we never really experienced many of the events, simply told from Isabel what was happening or had already happened. It was getting better but this storyline was so warped and beyond what I could handle.
I have to say that another book club member is greatly enjoying this story for how different and "weird" it is. So there's that. To each their own.
This was a book chosen for our book club. It is vastly different from what I imagined from the description. I felt as if the author simply used first person to TELL us everything - we never really experienced many of the events, simply told from Isabel what was happening or had already happened. It was getting better but this storyline was so warped and beyond what I could handle.
I have to say that another book club member is greatly enjoying this story for how different and "weird" it is. So there's that. To each their own.
January 13, 2016
This is a wonderfully written, chilling, and not easily defined first novel by Donna Lynch. It oscillates from not-so-simple drama about two very flawed characters, to horror, then adds a bit of the supernatural. My only criticism would be that the thematic implications of the nature of the soul raised in the first half of the book are never addressed in the latter half. But perhaps it is intentionally ambiguous? Donna Lynch is also a singer/musician in the band Ego Likeness, which is an excellent darkwave band. Her talent for lyrics carries over into her novel.
November 12, 2009
This book was very creepy and not a good creepy..Still wondering if the whole thing was in Isabel's mind and she was in an asylum.It was confusing at times and the storyline was so wrong in so many ways.
But it was well written and did keep me reading just to se what the outcome would be.Although it is not a book I will be recommending.
But it was well written and did keep me reading just to se what the outcome would be.Although it is not a book I will be recommending.
April 5, 2010
Gack. I thought this might be good fantasy/horror kind of stuff but it turned out to be disgusting s/m-y gynecological horror of the twisted lve affair variety. No thanks.
I have a rule that all titles of the format [gerund, first name:] are predictably crap, and maybe I should extend that to [first name, gerund:].
I have a rule that all titles of the format [gerund, first name:] are predictably crap, and maybe I should extend that to [first name, gerund:].
June 30, 2013
This isn't the kind of book I usually read but being an enormous Ego Likeness fan I had to read it.
The plot just wasn't for me. But that only makes it even more impressive that it sucked me in the way it did. It is beautifully written which is no surprise.
I personally wouldn't recommend this book to anyone but I still will go on to read more from her.
The plot just wasn't for me. But that only makes it even more impressive that it sucked me in the way it did. It is beautifully written which is no surprise.
I personally wouldn't recommend this book to anyone but I still will go on to read more from her.
September 30, 2009
I'm pretty excited to have been one of the first people to read this book, and it creeped the hell out of me. Which is, of course, a really good thing. The ideas in it stick with you too, the weird mythology and all of that.
April 27, 2012
From the bit Ive read, love her writing skills, puts her heart into her writings.In the process of ordering it.Her talent is extroadinary, would recommend her writing to my friends
April 24, 2013
Pretty good.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews