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The Taxidermist's Lover
A modern Gothic tale of a woman obsessed with her lover’s taxidermy creatures and haunted by her past.
Things were never quite the same after you started mixing up the species.
When Scarlett meets taxidermist Henry, a passionate love affair commences. One year later, on Christmas Day, Scarlett recalls the ebb and flow of their intense relationship and tries to unravel her obsession with Henry’s taxidermy creatures and the influence of his rival, Felix. Both enchanted and entrapped by the isolated rural environment on the Somerset moorland she calls home, Scarlett reaches out to her only remaining family, twin brother Rhett, to make sense of the secrets they share. Soon Scarlett realizes that past promises have far reaching consequences.
Drenched in the torrential rains of rural South West England and the sensual pleasures of the characters, The Taxidermist’s Lover, lures you ever deeper into Scarlett’s delightfully eerie world.
Things were never quite the same after you started mixing up the species.
When Scarlett meets taxidermist Henry, a passionate love affair commences. One year later, on Christmas Day, Scarlett recalls the ebb and flow of their intense relationship and tries to unravel her obsession with Henry’s taxidermy creatures and the influence of his rival, Felix. Both enchanted and entrapped by the isolated rural environment on the Somerset moorland she calls home, Scarlett reaches out to her only remaining family, twin brother Rhett, to make sense of the secrets they share. Soon Scarlett realizes that past promises have far reaching consequences.
Drenched in the torrential rains of rural South West England and the sensual pleasures of the characters, The Taxidermist’s Lover, lures you ever deeper into Scarlett’s delightfully eerie world.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published December 8, 2020
24 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
About the author
Polly Hall
7 books62 followersPolly Hall (born 1975) is a Bram Stoker Award Finalist and IPPY Gold Medal Award Winner for The Taxidermist's Lover.
Her work has been described as, ‘beautifully understated’, ‘raw and visceral’ and ‘highly imaginative’.
Her flash fiction, poetry and stories have been included in national and international anthologies, competitions and collaborative arts projects.
Her debut novel, The Taxidermist’s Lover, has been featured in the New York Times, Foreword Reviews and Kirkus Reviews.
Polly lives with her cat, Vishnu, next to a cider factory in Somerset, England. She hoards books and likes poking fires with a stick.
Follow on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @PollyHallWriter
Her work has been described as, ‘beautifully understated’, ‘raw and visceral’ and ‘highly imaginative’.
Her flash fiction, poetry and stories have been included in national and international anthologies, competitions and collaborative arts projects.
Her debut novel, The Taxidermist’s Lover, has been featured in the New York Times, Foreword Reviews and Kirkus Reviews.
Polly lives with her cat, Vishnu, next to a cider factory in Somerset, England. She hoards books and likes poking fires with a stick.
Follow on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @PollyHallWriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 24, 2021
4.5 "hyperfeminine, syrupy, oily, sensual" stars !!!
2020 Honorable Mention Read
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Camcat Publishing for an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is to be released December 2020.
This is also my 2020 Halloween Read and boy o boy did this book deliver !!
This is a grotesque dark gothic romance that will leave your senses overstimulated, your heart pounding with both fear and passion and you will be immersed in ornate, neo-baroque poetic prose reminiscent of early Anne Rice.
Are Scarlett and Pepper the most recent incarnations of Heathcliff and Catherine ? I think perhaps, they are as they love and fuck and eat their way through a year in the tumultuous Moors of the Somerset region of England. Pepper is a taxidermist and Scarlett is his muse. Scarlett grapples with her passion for her much older lover Pepper but is also entranced by Felix, another taxidermist and her twin brother Rhett.
Through the course of a year Scarlett sinks lower and lower into lust, love, depravity and madness.
The taxidermy models become more bizarre and tortured. The past impinges on the present and Scarlett wonders if she will be able to bear her passion, obsession as well as deal with the guilt and hauntings of the past.
This book mires you in molasses, tosses you in human body oils and the rain of the moors seeps into your heart and chills you to......
A top notch first novel that if not quite perfect will never quite leave me the same....
2020 Honorable Mention Read
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Camcat Publishing for an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is to be released December 2020.
This is also my 2020 Halloween Read and boy o boy did this book deliver !!
This is a grotesque dark gothic romance that will leave your senses overstimulated, your heart pounding with both fear and passion and you will be immersed in ornate, neo-baroque poetic prose reminiscent of early Anne Rice.
Are Scarlett and Pepper the most recent incarnations of Heathcliff and Catherine ? I think perhaps, they are as they love and fuck and eat their way through a year in the tumultuous Moors of the Somerset region of England. Pepper is a taxidermist and Scarlett is his muse. Scarlett grapples with her passion for her much older lover Pepper but is also entranced by Felix, another taxidermist and her twin brother Rhett.
Through the course of a year Scarlett sinks lower and lower into lust, love, depravity and madness.
The taxidermy models become more bizarre and tortured. The past impinges on the present and Scarlett wonders if she will be able to bear her passion, obsession as well as deal with the guilt and hauntings of the past.
This book mires you in molasses, tosses you in human body oils and the rain of the moors seeps into your heart and chills you to......
A top notch first novel that if not quite perfect will never quite leave me the same....
January 27, 2023
3.5 stars
This is a lyrically beautiful and haunting piece of horror fiction. More suspenseful than horrifying, this was a quite yet rather lovely horror story.
I enjoyed that this one was so different and avoided so many of the tropes of the genre. I love stories that are different. It was particularly enjoyable to have it set as Christmas. This was a nice change from the usual horror stories that flood the horror genre.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is a lyrically beautiful and haunting piece of horror fiction. More suspenseful than horrifying, this was a quite yet rather lovely horror story.
I enjoyed that this one was so different and avoided so many of the tropes of the genre. I love stories that are different. It was particularly enjoyable to have it set as Christmas. This was a nice change from the usual horror stories that flood the horror genre.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
June 22, 2021
The Taxidermist’s Lover is told from an unusual perspective – Scarlett, the titular lover of taxidermist Henry, addresses her lover in the second person singular and tells him their own story in hindsight, how she felt, what she thought about things that happened in their shared life, leading to a for me shocking and nauseating finale.
But it’s not only the finale that nauseated me, I felt the whole story, the relationship between the two, the way Henry treats Scarlet, the twisted and possessive way of loving, Scarlett’s complete dedication to him very oppressive, depressive, claustrophobic – it obscured my heart, darkened my spirits. The author’s choice of narrating in the second person singular tired me endlessly. So, considering it is a horror book, it did what it is supposed to do and depressed me thoroughly. It is also very successful for a debut, brava for that. But would I recommend it? I’m not sure about that...
But it’s not only the finale that nauseated me, I felt the whole story, the relationship between the two, the way Henry treats Scarlet, the twisted and possessive way of loving, Scarlett’s complete dedication to him very oppressive, depressive, claustrophobic – it obscured my heart, darkened my spirits. The author’s choice of narrating in the second person singular tired me endlessly. So, considering it is a horror book, it did what it is supposed to do and depressed me thoroughly. It is also very successful for a debut, brava for that. But would I recommend it? I’m not sure about that...
September 7, 2020
I was lucky enough to bag an advance copy of this book - and really enjoyed it. Gothic is totally my thing anyway, and this was definitely that - very atmospheric and eerie. The twisted love affair at the centre of it is gripping and convincing, and the poetry of the writing a real joy to read. I like the nod to Frankenstein too (arguably one of the creepiest tales to ever be told!).
If you're on the look out for something a bit different, this is definitely a great choice.
If you're on the look out for something a bit different, this is definitely a great choice.
October 7, 2020
"That old saying—sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me—does not make sense. Words can be the most damaging of all things; they have life, power, intensity."
Taxidermy has always been fascinating to me. I don’t know why but there’s just something about it that’s so bizarre and intriguing at the same time. I’ve found an old book about it from the late 1800s and a lot of things in this book reminded me of that.
*Unpopular opinion*
While this dealt with an interesting subject, I just wasn’t blown away as other readers were. What I thought was going to be a quick and hauntingly beautiful read, turned into a very tedious one quickly. It was an okay read that reminded me a bit of Frankenstein.
When we first learn about Scarlett and her insane obsession with Henry’s taxidermy mash-ups it throws you off enough to draw you in. But Scarlett’s obsession never escalated enough for it to be exciting or scary. It stayed at this slightly elevated level without moving from that line. So it felt like it was the same thing but a different day. And repetitiveness in books gets kind of boring after a while.
The only redeeming quality to the book was the end. It was pure insanity and I enjoyed the big reveal. Even though I knew it was coming. I just didn’t realize how it was going to come to the surface. That was the most impressive part of this entire story. The read might be worth it just for the last twenty percent.
The Taxidermist's Lover was a hit and a miss for me. It was an okay read with an amazing ending but I wanted more throughout. It really wasn't what I was wanted or expected with this reading. With that being said, I think that this Author has room to grow and I'm excited to see where she takes us next. I know she has more dark stories to tell and I can't wait!
"Never underestimate the power of love over death.”
Taxidermy has always been fascinating to me. I don’t know why but there’s just something about it that’s so bizarre and intriguing at the same time. I’ve found an old book about it from the late 1800s and a lot of things in this book reminded me of that.
*Unpopular opinion*
While this dealt with an interesting subject, I just wasn’t blown away as other readers were. What I thought was going to be a quick and hauntingly beautiful read, turned into a very tedious one quickly. It was an okay read that reminded me a bit of Frankenstein.
When we first learn about Scarlett and her insane obsession with Henry’s taxidermy mash-ups it throws you off enough to draw you in. But Scarlett’s obsession never escalated enough for it to be exciting or scary. It stayed at this slightly elevated level without moving from that line. So it felt like it was the same thing but a different day. And repetitiveness in books gets kind of boring after a while.
The only redeeming quality to the book was the end. It was pure insanity and I enjoyed the big reveal. Even though I knew it was coming. I just didn’t realize how it was going to come to the surface. That was the most impressive part of this entire story. The read might be worth it just for the last twenty percent.
The Taxidermist's Lover was a hit and a miss for me. It was an okay read with an amazing ending but I wanted more throughout. It really wasn't what I was wanted or expected with this reading. With that being said, I think that this Author has room to grow and I'm excited to see where she takes us next. I know she has more dark stories to tell and I can't wait!
"Never underestimate the power of love over death.”
February 8, 2022
The Taxidermist’s Lover is a literary masterpiece, and I can definitely see why it was nominated for a Bram Stoker award. It resembles classic Gothic horror, like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, not just in its themes, but in the style of writing.
The book is told in two timelines. Present day is Christmas Day, where the heroine, Scarlett is making observations of the holiday and directing all conversation to “you”, her lover, the taxidermist and the love of her life. These snippets are short and very literary, instilling in the reader a sense of dread, while intentionally misdirecting us, so we really can’t understand what’s truly happening. The past timeline is far more detailed, and each chapter is a new month of the year leading up to Christmas Day. In the past timeline, it’s still told in first person from Scarlett’s perspective, and she’s continuing to address the reader as if they are her husband. While these chapters aren’t letters, they do remind me of the epistolary style of some classic horror novels, such as Frankenstein or Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
The story is very slow-paced, despite each chapter being a new month, and the true strength of the book lies in the writing and the fear that gradually creeps up on readers. That said, the story is unsettling from the very beginning, and it’s clear that something isn’t quite right, either with Scarlett, or with “you”, her lover. As the novel progresses, so too does the disturbing language choices and upsetting imagery. What begins as a general sense of unease escalates into dread, then terror.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I needed to know what would happen in Scarlett and Henry’s twisted and grotesque love story, and the payoff at the end was definitely worth the slow journey.
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
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My 2022 Reading Challenge
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2022: This book fulfills the "A book set during a holiday (Christmas)" category.
The book is told in two timelines. Present day is Christmas Day, where the heroine, Scarlett is making observations of the holiday and directing all conversation to “you”, her lover, the taxidermist and the love of her life. These snippets are short and very literary, instilling in the reader a sense of dread, while intentionally misdirecting us, so we really can’t understand what’s truly happening. The past timeline is far more detailed, and each chapter is a new month of the year leading up to Christmas Day. In the past timeline, it’s still told in first person from Scarlett’s perspective, and she’s continuing to address the reader as if they are her husband. While these chapters aren’t letters, they do remind me of the epistolary style of some classic horror novels, such as Frankenstein or Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
The story is very slow-paced, despite each chapter being a new month, and the true strength of the book lies in the writing and the fear that gradually creeps up on readers. That said, the story is unsettling from the very beginning, and it’s clear that something isn’t quite right, either with Scarlett, or with “you”, her lover. As the novel progresses, so too does the disturbing language choices and upsetting imagery. What begins as a general sense of unease escalates into dread, then terror.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I needed to know what would happen in Scarlett and Henry’s twisted and grotesque love story, and the payoff at the end was definitely worth the slow journey.
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Book Blog | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Twitter
My 2022 Reading Challenge
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2022: This book fulfills the "A book set during a holiday (Christmas)" category.
May 14, 2022
Picked this one up basically on a dare. The cover, the title, the description someone had to see what this was about and that somebody was me.
This book is A LOT. It is dark, it is sexual, it is bizarre. It made my stomach turn on several occasions and yet it kept me reading. It most certainly kept me entertained.
The writing was so incredibly atmospheric and descriptive. At times almost too descriptive.
Pick this one up if you like stories of passion with a side of taxidermied hybrid creations. Or if you just want to go way outside your comfort zone for a bizarrely entertaining read.
This book is A LOT. It is dark, it is sexual, it is bizarre. It made my stomach turn on several occasions and yet it kept me reading. It most certainly kept me entertained.
The writing was so incredibly atmospheric and descriptive. At times almost too descriptive.
Pick this one up if you like stories of passion with a side of taxidermied hybrid creations. Or if you just want to go way outside your comfort zone for a bizarrely entertaining read.
July 29, 2022
“Who was right and who was wrong?” -this book
This was one of the strangest things I ever read!
Loss and abandonment effects everyone differently. Scarlet seemed to be trapped, confused and forever searching.
I was inside her head for the length of the book and almost could not keep up with all her insecurities and warped sense of life. A lot of implied things happened and this isn’t so cut a dry but I appreciated the writing, the journey to madness.
It was a challenging read and very strange. Very different. I chose to listen to this book on audio and Justine Eyre narrated this one and she was excellent. I hope this was helpful.
Thanks IBPA via Netgalley.
This was one of the strangest things I ever read!
Loss and abandonment effects everyone differently. Scarlet seemed to be trapped, confused and forever searching.
I was inside her head for the length of the book and almost could not keep up with all her insecurities and warped sense of life. A lot of implied things happened and this isn’t so cut a dry but I appreciated the writing, the journey to madness.
It was a challenging read and very strange. Very different. I chose to listen to this book on audio and Justine Eyre narrated this one and she was excellent. I hope this was helpful.
Thanks IBPA via Netgalley.
June 28, 2022
Darkly romantic, lushly lyrical, and sparing the reader none of the gory details. Lots of sex, death, and dead animals. If that sounds appealing to you, you’ll probably like it. If not, I’m going to go ahead and say it’s probably not your cup of tea.
Do you like patchouli but not in a hippie way, but because it goes best with Bauhaus and red wine? I would describe this as unapologetically goth-y in a mostly cool way.
I’m not going to repeat the plot points of other reviews, especially because in this case, the title really says all you need to know.
I listened to the audio edition: the narrator’s versatile but plummy accent was a delectable accompaniment to the poetic prose.
Thank you to #netgalley, author #PollyHall and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Do you like patchouli but not in a hippie way, but because it goes best with Bauhaus and red wine? I would describe this as unapologetically goth-y in a mostly cool way.
I’m not going to repeat the plot points of other reviews, especially because in this case, the title really says all you need to know.
I listened to the audio edition: the narrator’s versatile but plummy accent was a delectable accompaniment to the poetic prose.
Thank you to #netgalley, author #PollyHall and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2022
Rating: 2.5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 1.5/5
Story: 3/5
Writing: 2.5/5
Genre: Horror/Gothic
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: For my taste? No, but for others? Maybe.
TW: Miscarriage
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to listen to this book. I want to start off with the same thing I have told a numerous amount of publishers and authors. Have a better chapter system for the audiobook please.
With that out of the way this whole book screamed gothic. If you like Frankenstein and the like you will adore this. I don't care for how it was told but I do see how it did well for the setting of the story. Another thing that got me was I always kept thinking it was in the 1800s or such, but there had been small things to bring me back like cell phones. Lol.
It was cringe to listen to her love a man basically twice her age. Like, love who you want to love but I just couldn't get into her mindset. With that the book was good but it was a dull black instead of a vibrant, if you get what I am saying. Other than that the ending was spooktacular.
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 1.5/5
Story: 3/5
Writing: 2.5/5
Genre: Horror/Gothic
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: For my taste? No, but for others? Maybe.
TW: Miscarriage
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to listen to this book. I want to start off with the same thing I have told a numerous amount of publishers and authors. Have a better chapter system for the audiobook please.
With that out of the way this whole book screamed gothic. If you like Frankenstein and the like you will adore this. I don't care for how it was told but I do see how it did well for the setting of the story. Another thing that got me was I always kept thinking it was in the 1800s or such, but there had been small things to bring me back like cell phones. Lol.
It was cringe to listen to her love a man basically twice her age. Like, love who you want to love but I just couldn't get into her mindset. With that the book was good but it was a dull black instead of a vibrant, if you get what I am saying. Other than that the ending was spooktacular.
November 6, 2020
This was quite the trip of a book! It’s very dark and Gothic in that our weirdo narrator is...well... a taxidermist’s wife. But it’s not just standard taxidermy, he splices parts from different animals and creates art from it. Oh and this dude is old enough to be her grandpa...luckily we get lots of sex scenes! (jk)
This definitely took a turn about halfway through and I could see where it was going, the ending was pretty cuckoo bananas but it wasn’t really surprising to me. I kinda wish this book dove more into the horror aspect of the macabre setting, but it spends too much time as a weird love story.
This definitely took a turn about halfway through and I could see where it was going, the ending was pretty cuckoo bananas but it wasn’t really surprising to me. I kinda wish this book dove more into the horror aspect of the macabre setting, but it spends too much time as a weird love story.
November 4, 2020
*I received a free ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book I don’t really have strong feelings on one way or the other. It was a quick and easy read, but not quite the gripping tale I was hoping for.
The synopsis for the novel states “A modern Gothic tale of a woman obsessed with her lover’s taxidermy creatures and haunted by her past.” I found that the novel was heavy on the taxidermy obsession but had very little to do with the main character’s haunted past. It is hinted at quite often, but never really delved into and is only lightly resolved at the end of the novel.
Overall, I think the novel can mostly just be described as “weird” fiction. There are horror elements, but the novel is by no means creepy or scary. Some parts are a little gross, but that’s really it. The novel was a little too heavy on the romance for me as well. In the beginning I was intrigued by the dark tone and juxtaposition of hybrid animal creatures and the unorthodox (and very sexual) relationship between the main character and her taxidermist husband, but it never really got off the ground. It was pretty much one note for the whole novel and in the end I didn’t feel it lived up to my expectations, given the themes. I still enjoyed the story, but nothing really wowed me.
To sum it up- too much menstrual blood and dead animals, not enough murder and psychosis. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a darker romance novel with light elements of horror.
This is a book I don’t really have strong feelings on one way or the other. It was a quick and easy read, but not quite the gripping tale I was hoping for.
The synopsis for the novel states “A modern Gothic tale of a woman obsessed with her lover’s taxidermy creatures and haunted by her past.” I found that the novel was heavy on the taxidermy obsession but had very little to do with the main character’s haunted past. It is hinted at quite often, but never really delved into and is only lightly resolved at the end of the novel.
Overall, I think the novel can mostly just be described as “weird” fiction. There are horror elements, but the novel is by no means creepy or scary. Some parts are a little gross, but that’s really it. The novel was a little too heavy on the romance for me as well. In the beginning I was intrigued by the dark tone and juxtaposition of hybrid animal creatures and the unorthodox (and very sexual) relationship between the main character and her taxidermist husband, but it never really got off the ground. It was pretty much one note for the whole novel and in the end I didn’t feel it lived up to my expectations, given the themes. I still enjoyed the story, but nothing really wowed me.
To sum it up- too much menstrual blood and dead animals, not enough murder and psychosis. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a darker romance novel with light elements of horror.
February 10, 2023
THE TAXIDERMIST'S LOVER, by Polly Hall, felt like a gothic (yet cell phones and other clues gave away a modern setting) mash up of Frankenstein with the obsession of YOU. The writing is told as a "backstory" of sorts, beginning on Christmas, and then going back to the previous year of our main character's intense relationship with her lover, the Taxidermist.
This is how she refers to him.
I felt it got quickly repetitive, although admittedly, there was a slow dread building up throughout. I was losing interest by the halfway point, but am glad that I stuck with it. The ending was spectacular, and well worth the read--if only to get to that.
Recommended, if you have the patience to wait until the very end for a literary payoff.
This is how she refers to him.
I felt it got quickly repetitive, although admittedly, there was a slow dread building up throughout. I was losing interest by the halfway point, but am glad that I stuck with it. The ending was spectacular, and well worth the read--if only to get to that.
Recommended, if you have the patience to wait until the very end for a literary payoff.
June 1, 2022
NetGalley and the publisher, CamCat Books, provided me with a review copy.
The Taxidermist's Lover is a gothic, disturbing narrative told from wife to husband, detailing their marriage. The book jumps back and forth between Christmas day and the year leading up to it.
Scarlett and Henry don't have a lot in common. They're not the same age, they don't share a lot of hobbies, but Scarlett is absolutely enamored by Henry. Henry seems to be into two things; Scarlett and taxidermy. He's a taxidermist by trade, and with some prodding from Scarlett, gets into mythological and hybrid taxidermy. Swans and dogs, the like.
As we go along in time, Scarlett really starts to hit the gothic beats. I don't want to go into much more of this because the ending is phenomenal, but this book is a fantastic example of gothic horror.
The characters are great. They're terrible people in a lot of ways, sure, but they're fantastic characters. They're engaging and really drive things along. The pacing is spot-on, and with a gothic novel, that means we start at a slower-to-average pace and pick up gradually as time goes on until we just go over the deep end. The plot, well, it's a gothic horror novel. The plot is basically just getting to the end.
Honestly, this is one of the better reads I've had in 2022 so far. This is a star example of gothic horror.
The Taxidermist's Lover is a gothic, disturbing narrative told from wife to husband, detailing their marriage. The book jumps back and forth between Christmas day and the year leading up to it.
Scarlett and Henry don't have a lot in common. They're not the same age, they don't share a lot of hobbies, but Scarlett is absolutely enamored by Henry. Henry seems to be into two things; Scarlett and taxidermy. He's a taxidermist by trade, and with some prodding from Scarlett, gets into mythological and hybrid taxidermy. Swans and dogs, the like.
As we go along in time, Scarlett really starts to hit the gothic beats. I don't want to go into much more of this because the ending is phenomenal, but this book is a fantastic example of gothic horror.
The characters are great. They're terrible people in a lot of ways, sure, but they're fantastic characters. They're engaging and really drive things along. The pacing is spot-on, and with a gothic novel, that means we start at a slower-to-average pace and pick up gradually as time goes on until we just go over the deep end. The plot, well, it's a gothic horror novel. The plot is basically just getting to the end.
Honestly, this is one of the better reads I've had in 2022 so far. This is a star example of gothic horror.
June 16, 2022
Listed as genre horror/mystery/thriller at 40% I didn't see any of the three categories. It read like women's fiction. I had the audiobook and the narrator was perfect. She took this from a creepy titled book to a production.
The story is written from a wife to her husband perspective, and I loved it. I was pumped up and enjoying the show. Around 4o% there was a lull. The story came to a screeching halt for me. I lost interest. The genre categories kick in later in the book, and I didn't see the twist coming, and rewound to listen again. All I can say without spoiling is Ewww.
Again, high praise for Justine Eyre. She performed beautifully.
Thank you NetGalley and Cam Cam Books for accepting my request to read and review The Taxidermist's Lover.
I look forward to seeking other works by Polly Hall.
The story is written from a wife to her husband perspective, and I loved it. I was pumped up and enjoying the show. Around 4o% there was a lull. The story came to a screeching halt for me. I lost interest. The genre categories kick in later in the book, and I didn't see the twist coming, and rewound to listen again. All I can say without spoiling is Ewww.
Again, high praise for Justine Eyre. She performed beautifully.
Thank you NetGalley and Cam Cam Books for accepting my request to read and review The Taxidermist's Lover.
I look forward to seeking other works by Polly Hall.
January 20, 2021
Introverted, obsessive, possessive, and damaged, Scarlett and her lover Henry are an exemplary example that in this chaotic world, there exists a soulmate for every man and every woman.
Inspired by her lover’s fastidious attention to his craft, Scarlett convinces Henry of a need to lay claim to fame in the art world. Pressuring him to create bizarre aberrations, she ultimately faces her own destruction.
Tortured by her past and a Frankensteinian complex, she eventually succumbs to an essentially solitary-confinement-induced psychosis, and Scarlett manically attempts to destroy the freakish anomalies she played a role in creating.
Despite its dark and disturbing theme, Hall commands an intimate connection with her readers through the clever application of a second-person narrative. Although repetition occasionally decelerates the story, she captivates her audience with frequently haunting, poetic prose. Imaginative and compelling, I highly recommend The Taxidermist’s Lover.
Inspired by her lover’s fastidious attention to his craft, Scarlett convinces Henry of a need to lay claim to fame in the art world. Pressuring him to create bizarre aberrations, she ultimately faces her own destruction.
Tortured by her past and a Frankensteinian complex, she eventually succumbs to an essentially solitary-confinement-induced psychosis, and Scarlett manically attempts to destroy the freakish anomalies she played a role in creating.
Despite its dark and disturbing theme, Hall commands an intimate connection with her readers through the clever application of a second-person narrative. Although repetition occasionally decelerates the story, she captivates her audience with frequently haunting, poetic prose. Imaginative and compelling, I highly recommend The Taxidermist’s Lover.
March 10, 2023
I adore this melancholy macabre story of Scarlett and Henry a taxidermist. Even the unusual incestuous hint with Scarletts twin brother Rhett. The back story harbouring a dark secret wasn't over the top and Just something about this story drew me in the entire time and I was unable to put down. Polly Halls writing is something that would make me purchase her next book as soon as I could.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
August 29, 2024
This book was so beautifully written! So atmospheric and dark. I wanted to live in the pages. A very slow burn but I didn’t mind that because I just enjoyed reading every page.
October 8, 2025
kooky, obsessive and scandalous, it was really the ending that synched the extra star here
May 18, 2022
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
Wowza! I did not see that coming! Let me start by saying that I really enjoyed the narrators voice and it worked really well with the single person storytelling. The story took me a few chapters to get fully enveloped in, but once I did I had to know where it was going. It’s definitely not like most other books I’ve read, and I really appreciated that! If your into quirky with a touch of horror and fantasy, this is the book for you!
Wowza! I did not see that coming! Let me start by saying that I really enjoyed the narrators voice and it worked really well with the single person storytelling. The story took me a few chapters to get fully enveloped in, but once I did I had to know where it was going. It’s definitely not like most other books I’ve read, and I really appreciated that! If your into quirky with a touch of horror and fantasy, this is the book for you!
March 14, 2023
Spoilers!
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I hated this book. Not because he stuffed his wife, dressed her in her wedding dress and displayed her in his living room like a decoration, but because the dead, stuffed wife is the narrator of the story.
That's right. Even though she's a dead, stuffed, defiled THING, she's still conscious and aware of her surroundings. And we're supposed to believe this? No. Just no. Absolutely hated it.
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I hated this book. Not because he stuffed his wife, dressed her in her wedding dress and displayed her in his living room like a decoration, but because the dead, stuffed wife is the narrator of the story.
That's right. Even though she's a dead, stuffed, defiled THING, she's still conscious and aware of her surroundings. And we're supposed to believe this? No. Just no. Absolutely hated it.
March 5, 2021
A freaky romance featuring a kooky couple, this novel is horrifying and hilarious, often grotesque. It's also poetic and an absolute joy to read.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of Somerset through the seasons.
October 18, 2022
THIS is body horror. Absolutely top notch.
May 18, 2023
Priznám sa že knihu som dosť dlho odkladal a hnila v mojej nekonečnej TBR kope - mal som totižto mylnú predstavu o tom, čo by kniha mohla byť. Už som sa niekoľkokrát sklamal keď som uveril reklamným prehláseniam a anotáciam, a tak som tu viac menej čakal len podivnú love story a trochu horroru. Kniha ale trochu možno klame telom - nakoniec sa z nej vykľula jedna z najunikátnejších kníh za tento rok.
O čom vlastne je? Je ťažké povedať o čom je, dôležitejšie je podľa mňa skôr myslieť na to aká ja. Samotný dej tu nehrá až takú dôležitú úlohu. Kniha je písaná retrospektívne a pomocou denníkových zápiskov, protagonistka ožíva v našich hlavách a predáva nám čudesný príbeh uveriteľným hlasom. Staroanglická príchuť a výborne vykreslená atmosféra domu v močiaroch je v juxtapozícii k romantike a neuveriteľnej láske ktorú Scarlett cíti k taxidermistovi Henrymu. Vedľajšie postavy potom už len slúžia ako čerešnička na temnej torte. Záver nie je prekvapivý, ale perfektne sa ku knihe hodí. Myslím že kniha nesklame žiadneho fanúšika temnej literatúry - nie je to práve horror, skôr príbeh plný skutočnej lásky, ale absencia happyendu spolu s atmosférou a spôsobom rozprávania robí z tejto knihy zážitok ktorý by ste si nemali nechať ujsť.
Takisto by som chcel oceniť preklad Martina Štefka z nakladateľstva Golden Dog, ktorý knihu aj vydal - naozaj sa s ním vyhral a je to vidieť. Vôbec som necítil potrebu siahať po origináli, myslím že každé jedno slovo bolo zvolené s rozvahou.
O čom vlastne je? Je ťažké povedať o čom je, dôležitejšie je podľa mňa skôr myslieť na to aká ja. Samotný dej tu nehrá až takú dôležitú úlohu. Kniha je písaná retrospektívne a pomocou denníkových zápiskov, protagonistka ožíva v našich hlavách a predáva nám čudesný príbeh uveriteľným hlasom. Staroanglická príchuť a výborne vykreslená atmosféra domu v močiaroch je v juxtapozícii k romantike a neuveriteľnej láske ktorú Scarlett cíti k taxidermistovi Henrymu. Vedľajšie postavy potom už len slúžia ako čerešnička na temnej torte. Záver nie je prekvapivý, ale perfektne sa ku knihe hodí. Myslím že kniha nesklame žiadneho fanúšika temnej literatúry - nie je to práve horror, skôr príbeh plný skutočnej lásky, ale absencia happyendu spolu s atmosférou a spôsobom rozprávania robí z tejto knihy zážitok ktorý by ste si nemali nechať ujsť.
Takisto by som chcel oceniť preklad Martina Štefka z nakladateľstva Golden Dog, ktorý knihu aj vydal - naozaj sa s ním vyhral a je to vidieť. Vôbec som necítil potrebu siahať po origináli, myslím že každé jedno slovo bolo zvolené s rozvahou.
June 12, 2022
Deliberately uncomfortable and acutely sensory, Polly Hall spins a perfect modern gothic horror story in 'The Taxidermist's Lover.'
It's a rare thing these days, to read a true horror novel— with all the trappings of dreadful inevitably, and not one that bleeds into the realm of thriller/suspense with shocking twists— and Hall doubles down on the classic gothic tone by allowing the narrator's mental state and introspection to take centre stage in the downward spiral, not leaning on any kind of excess gore or eldritch mystery. The pure existentialism and unsettling sensuality of the entire tale shines in the best, most slow-build-horrifying way possible.
While 'The Taxidermist's Lover' is neither for the squeamish (which, what else to expect, given the subject matter) nor for readers put off by adjective use edging on purple prose, those who can stomach the macabre aspects and appreciate the precise attention to sensory detail as part of the eerie tone will leave Hall's debut repulsed and utterly satisfied in equal measure. Truly deserving of its status as a Bram Stoker Awards finalist.
It's a rare thing these days, to read a true horror novel— with all the trappings of dreadful inevitably, and not one that bleeds into the realm of thriller/suspense with shocking twists— and Hall doubles down on the classic gothic tone by allowing the narrator's mental state and introspection to take centre stage in the downward spiral, not leaning on any kind of excess gore or eldritch mystery. The pure existentialism and unsettling sensuality of the entire tale shines in the best, most slow-build-horrifying way possible.
While 'The Taxidermist's Lover' is neither for the squeamish (which, what else to expect, given the subject matter) nor for readers put off by adjective use edging on purple prose, those who can stomach the macabre aspects and appreciate the precise attention to sensory detail as part of the eerie tone will leave Hall's debut repulsed and utterly satisfied in equal measure. Truly deserving of its status as a Bram Stoker Awards finalist.
May 13, 2022
Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I don’t know how to begin this review. This book was not for me. I gave it three stars for originality, but I did not enjoy it. Now, I’m not saying it’s not a good book, it was well written. The author was able to keep the reader in a constant state of unease and feeling like things were off. I had trouble with the animal parts. I really should’ve suspected considering it’s about taxidermy, but I didn’t think it would bother me as much as it did. Her relationship with her brother was odd as well, everything was odd and felt off. To me that’s good writing, to be able to elicit those feelings from a reader through the entire book. There was not one moment where things felt “normal”. The ending was disturbing to say the least, even though I suspected something of that nature was going to happen.
SPOILER COMING AND TRIGGER WARNING!!!
There was a very graphic and troubling miscarriage scene…it was rough.
So, this book may be perfect for some, just wasn’t for me.
SPOILER COMING AND TRIGGER WARNING!!!
There was a very graphic and troubling miscarriage scene…it was rough.
So, this book may be perfect for some, just wasn’t for me.
October 5, 2020
I didn't know what to expect... it was a little bot of everything.
The protagonist, is married to a much older taxidermist. Upon her instructions, he invents new creatures by sticking elements of animals together (like a swan and a poodle).
The booky was spooky and it was interestingly written in a mix of diary and dialogue.
While some of it was truly beautiful and lyrically written, a lot of it was just rehashing. I guess that is what happens when a woman really only sees her beau. So much of this book is the polar opposite of my life, quiet, rural and complete devotion to one man.
The ending was unexpected and gruesome, though understable if you get into her frame of mind.
Parts of it I loved, parts of it dragged on.
I am not going to google images to see if these monstrosities are actually made (though people are bored and do weird stuff, so likely, but I recommend you don't google them either).
This book was provided by NetGalley.
The protagonist, is married to a much older taxidermist. Upon her instructions, he invents new creatures by sticking elements of animals together (like a swan and a poodle).
The booky was spooky and it was interestingly written in a mix of diary and dialogue.
While some of it was truly beautiful and lyrically written, a lot of it was just rehashing. I guess that is what happens when a woman really only sees her beau. So much of this book is the polar opposite of my life, quiet, rural and complete devotion to one man.
The ending was unexpected and gruesome, though understable if you get into her frame of mind.
Parts of it I loved, parts of it dragged on.
I am not going to google images to see if these monstrosities are actually made (though people are bored and do weird stuff, so likely, but I recommend you don't google them either).
This book was provided by NetGalley.
September 24, 2020
-ARC in exchange for a honest review-
This book is magical. It's a novel narrated in the second person that tells the story of Scarlett's love and infatuation with Henry, a man much older than her, who is a taxidermist.
As soon as they know each other they decide to live together and marry shortly after.
She is obsessed with his work and proposes to give him a new approach: instead of embalming and recreating existing animals, he begins mixing creatures to create new beings.
we are then witnesses of a parade of impossible creatures as we learn about Scarlett's past, her twisted relationship with her twin brother, the death of her parents, among other confessions.
The book, in addition to a novel, is a lyrical work. It is so beautifully written, the descriptions are so emotionally charged that reading it is, without a doubt a treat for the soul and the senses. And that epic ending!
I loved it!
This book is magical. It's a novel narrated in the second person that tells the story of Scarlett's love and infatuation with Henry, a man much older than her, who is a taxidermist.
As soon as they know each other they decide to live together and marry shortly after.
She is obsessed with his work and proposes to give him a new approach: instead of embalming and recreating existing animals, he begins mixing creatures to create new beings.
we are then witnesses of a parade of impossible creatures as we learn about Scarlett's past, her twisted relationship with her twin brother, the death of her parents, among other confessions.
The book, in addition to a novel, is a lyrical work. It is so beautifully written, the descriptions are so emotionally charged that reading it is, without a doubt a treat for the soul and the senses. And that epic ending!
I loved it!
May 31, 2022
The cover is beautiful, but when it clicked and tied in with the story it made the book even better. It was like that moment when the name of the book finally makes sense, but with the cover art. I really enjoyed the way the author built Scarlett’s obsessive personality, and Henry sort of taking advantage of that, while also being obsessive himself. The way the narrator told the story: doing voices to distinguish characters, speaking very clearly and consistently the whole time, and her enthusiasm really brought the story to life and made it even more intriguing. This definitely had gothic vibes, and I think a lot of authors can struggle doing that genre well, but the author had the right balance between being moody, dark, and dramatic, but not being overly so. This was an insane book in the best way possible, and I loved it. I really enjoyed this audiobook, and I don’t usually listen to fiction on audiobook.
*a copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
*a copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
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