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All of Me
A terrifying body horror novella.
Sometimes you are your own worst enemy.
Margaret’s unhappy with her life. Overweight, overwhelmed and passed over. When her neighbor gives her a gift, she wakes up a new person - or three.
Now Dot, Peggy and Daisy have the freedom to pursue their career, creativity, and darkest obsessions. But is it any easier living with yourself when there are three of you? And why, when they can indulge their cravings, are they still holding themselves back?
Perhaps getting what you want, and eating it too, does not lead to happiness.
From the author of the 7th Hell series comes a body horror fairy tale about self-talk, self-hate, and insatiable hunger.
Sometimes you are your own worst enemy.
Margaret’s unhappy with her life. Overweight, overwhelmed and passed over. When her neighbor gives her a gift, she wakes up a new person - or three.
Now Dot, Peggy and Daisy have the freedom to pursue their career, creativity, and darkest obsessions. But is it any easier living with yourself when there are three of you? And why, when they can indulge their cravings, are they still holding themselves back?
Perhaps getting what you want, and eating it too, does not lead to happiness.
From the author of the 7th Hell series comes a body horror fairy tale about self-talk, self-hate, and insatiable hunger.
- GenresHorror
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2022
26 people want to read
About the author
Iseult Murphy
32 books137 followersIseult Murphy started writing at a young age, entertaining her family with magazines that she wrote and illustrated as a child. In her teens, she won several local and national short story competitions, including three time overall winner of the RDS Young Science Writers competition, and had work placed in international writing competitions such as the BBC Wildlife Poetry competition.
Iseult is drawn to horror, fantasy and science fiction, as she feels that the most difficult aspects of life can be best explored through the lens of speculative fiction.
She currently resides on the east coast of Ireland with four dogs, a couple of humans and a cat. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, art and spending time with her animals.
Iseult’s speculative fiction short stories have appeared in over two dozen venues, most recently in Liquid Imagination and Frost Fire Worlds.
Iseult is drawn to horror, fantasy and science fiction, as she feels that the most difficult aspects of life can be best explored through the lens of speculative fiction.
She currently resides on the east coast of Ireland with four dogs, a couple of humans and a cat. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, art and spending time with her animals.
Iseult’s speculative fiction short stories have appeared in over two dozen venues, most recently in Liquid Imagination and Frost Fire Worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 28, 2023
On the surface, 'All of Me' is a crazy body horror story about a woman named Margaret, who is going through a seriously tough time in life, particularly with her weight.
Margaret is offered an unexpected solution to her problems by her seemingly helpful neighbour, and from this moment on, this story becomes fantastically absurd.
Underneath the surface of this hugely enjoyable read lurks the inner meaning behind Margaret's transformation, which is beautifully done.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Margaret is offered an unexpected solution to her problems by her seemingly helpful neighbour, and from this moment on, this story becomes fantastically absurd.
Underneath the surface of this hugely enjoyable read lurks the inner meaning behind Margaret's transformation, which is beautifully done.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
August 27, 2024
I loved this book! Body horror isn't a genre I've explored much of yet, but All of Me is definitely one of my favourites so far.
The author has managed to pull off the enviable feat of writing a story that's as moving as it is horrifying. Lead character Margaret is a relatable figure who inspires sympathy straight away; I was rooting for her before I'd even reached page 3. Themes such as learning to love yourself and embrace life are beautifully and creatively done with just the right amount of emotion.
The horror is equally brilliant: in trying to take a shortcut to a whole new lifestyle Margaret finds herself in a nightmarish situation and facing gruesome consequences. Vivid descriptions that are wonderfully disturbing stayed with me long after I'd closed the book. This is an imaginative tale with a fantastic ending which ties everything up perfectly. 100% recommend!
The author has managed to pull off the enviable feat of writing a story that's as moving as it is horrifying. Lead character Margaret is a relatable figure who inspires sympathy straight away; I was rooting for her before I'd even reached page 3. Themes such as learning to love yourself and embrace life are beautifully and creatively done with just the right amount of emotion.
The horror is equally brilliant: in trying to take a shortcut to a whole new lifestyle Margaret finds herself in a nightmarish situation and facing gruesome consequences. Vivid descriptions that are wonderfully disturbing stayed with me long after I'd closed the book. This is an imaginative tale with a fantastic ending which ties everything up perfectly. 100% recommend!
March 14, 2022
A sad tale
First I must say this book started out amazing. I got to feel Margaret's pain as she was bullied and picked on. I felt how much she hated herself for the way she looked and not being able to have the things she wanted. It was sad and relatable in a way, as I've always been heavy myself. The author did a great job of writing this out. The twist of who Stan was, was done perfectly and the details where written out amazingly. However, this story wasn't as all what I thought it would be. Out of the 3 Margaret's only Daisy is the one who eats people but I was sad to see she went on to literally eat everyone. Some people I was happy to see get their dos but others I was disappointed in seeing get eaten. Also the ending left me wanting more explanation and wanting to see if the 3 became one once more. If they became the old Margaret or stayed the 3. Did anyone end up happy or with the man they wanted? Did they travel? The way it ended wasn't so much a cliffhanger feel for me but a let down. But this being said the way the author wrote things out and made you relate and feel for the character and you could vividly see what was taking place when you read, it was done amazing. The story just wasn't what I expected and wasn't for me sadly.
First I must say this book started out amazing. I got to feel Margaret's pain as she was bullied and picked on. I felt how much she hated herself for the way she looked and not being able to have the things she wanted. It was sad and relatable in a way, as I've always been heavy myself. The author did a great job of writing this out. The twist of who Stan was, was done perfectly and the details where written out amazingly. However, this story wasn't as all what I thought it would be. Out of the 3 Margaret's only Daisy is the one who eats people but I was sad to see she went on to literally eat everyone. Some people I was happy to see get their dos but others I was disappointed in seeing get eaten. Also the ending left me wanting more explanation and wanting to see if the 3 became one once more. If they became the old Margaret or stayed the 3. Did anyone end up happy or with the man they wanted? Did they travel? The way it ended wasn't so much a cliffhanger feel for me but a let down. But this being said the way the author wrote things out and made you relate and feel for the character and you could vividly see what was taking place when you read, it was done amazing. The story just wasn't what I expected and wasn't for me sadly.
November 24, 2022
On the surface this book is a creepy and entertaining horror tale. But if you look a little deeper there is a very important message about self love.
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. I’m a relatively slow reader, but I finished this one in just a few hours and I was hooked.
Almost every woman I know has felt fat and/or ugly and has idly wished to be skinny/pretty/different. But when fat and frumpy Margaret is given the answer to make her dreams come true, the consequences are terrifying.
Some of the scenes in this novella were truly disturbing (and I loved them!)
The only thing I wished for more of was more description of settings. I found it difficult to imagine what Margeret/Daisy/dot/Peggy’s surroundings were like or get a feel for where they were. Also, because it is written in first person point of view, that made it tricky to get it right in my head who was narrating each chapter, even though the chapters were all clearly titled with the narrator.
Overall I thought it was a great read. I liked the darkness to the story but I loved the dual meaning behind it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. I’m a relatively slow reader, but I finished this one in just a few hours and I was hooked.
Almost every woman I know has felt fat and/or ugly and has idly wished to be skinny/pretty/different. But when fat and frumpy Margaret is given the answer to make her dreams come true, the consequences are terrifying.
Some of the scenes in this novella were truly disturbing (and I loved them!)
The only thing I wished for more of was more description of settings. I found it difficult to imagine what Margeret/Daisy/dot/Peggy’s surroundings were like or get a feel for where they were. Also, because it is written in first person point of view, that made it tricky to get it right in my head who was narrating each chapter, even though the chapters were all clearly titled with the narrator.
Overall I thought it was a great read. I liked the darkness to the story but I loved the dual meaning behind it.
November 30, 2022
Sometimes I like to dive into a book cold, but I read the reviews before buying All of Me, so I had some idea of what to expect. I have read one other story by Murphy, and I loved her writing style but also knew that she doesn’t shy away from gore and violence. Although this was entertaining and imaginative and I couldn’t stop reading it, this book isn’t prettily wrapped up in a bow—it is haunting and filled with plenty of gore and death and the dark side of real life. It seems to be the type of story that is written with blood, sweat, and tears. It is a powerful and heart wrenching story of self-hate and self-love, and it will stay with me. Each of the three “Margarets” were me, to some degree. It wasn’t until the end that I could more fully see the roles/jobs they each had in Margaret’s life. I cannot recommend this novel enough.
October 18, 2022
Another great book by an inimitable author.
This one is dark, it's warm, and it leaves you thinking.
It's heroine is one of the invisible people, the ones who hold up the sky, but nobody notices except to dismiss or bully. She finds, for a moment, a way to be someone else, but in the process fragments her true self.
On the surface it's a body horror story, but beneath that it's an exploration of many things, not least of the body fascism that determines so many people's lives. It is also a precise and engaging allegory about the fractured nature of identity, the lies we tell ourselves, the way we carve ourselves up to be acceptable in different settings.
Don't get me wrong - it's not a series of messages, it's a great story and a terrific read, by turns gripping and enchanting, shocking and witty. I loved all the faces of the main character, even the one she did not want for herself.
This one is dark, it's warm, and it leaves you thinking.
It's heroine is one of the invisible people, the ones who hold up the sky, but nobody notices except to dismiss or bully. She finds, for a moment, a way to be someone else, but in the process fragments her true self.
On the surface it's a body horror story, but beneath that it's an exploration of many things, not least of the body fascism that determines so many people's lives. It is also a precise and engaging allegory about the fractured nature of identity, the lies we tell ourselves, the way we carve ourselves up to be acceptable in different settings.
Don't get me wrong - it's not a series of messages, it's a great story and a terrific read, by turns gripping and enchanting, shocking and witty. I loved all the faces of the main character, even the one she did not want for herself.
February 25, 2023
All of Me is a shortish novel of psychological horror. In the beginning, we meet Margaret, an obese woman who suffers from taunts on a daily basis; veiled ones from people at work and overt ones from the “bully boys” who live in her neighborhood. The writing, in first person, is effective and engaging.
Margaret is already in a weight-loss group and is having some success, but it is a slow process, and she has about 200 pounds to lose.
Then an offering from a neighbor, one that is promised to help her lose weight, changes everything. The first “hard to swallow” plot twist is that Margaret does not merely become thinner, she becomes three. That is, there are three clones of herself, 100 pounds each, with each bearing different aspects of her personality. So as happy as Margaret is to be thin, she recognizes the problems with having 3 versions of herself. One version, Dot, takes charge, asserting she will be the one to continue working, and that the other two, Peggy & Daisy, will stay home. But Daisy has a strange hunger inside of her that can only be quenched by eating first the cat and then people. This is where the story goes into territory too far-fetched for me to fully enjoy. I thought Daisy’s murders would be much more interesting, horrific, and powerful if accomplished in a less “all-consuming” manner. But others may disagree and find the ridiculousness of the murders part of the fun. So if this sounds good to you, by all means, dive in!
Margaret is already in a weight-loss group and is having some success, but it is a slow process, and she has about 200 pounds to lose.
Then an offering from a neighbor, one that is promised to help her lose weight, changes everything. The first “hard to swallow” plot twist is that Margaret does not merely become thinner, she becomes three. That is, there are three clones of herself, 100 pounds each, with each bearing different aspects of her personality. So as happy as Margaret is to be thin, she recognizes the problems with having 3 versions of herself. One version, Dot, takes charge, asserting she will be the one to continue working, and that the other two, Peggy & Daisy, will stay home. But Daisy has a strange hunger inside of her that can only be quenched by eating first the cat and then people. This is where the story goes into territory too far-fetched for me to fully enjoy. I thought Daisy’s murders would be much more interesting, horrific, and powerful if accomplished in a less “all-consuming” manner. But others may disagree and find the ridiculousness of the murders part of the fun. So if this sounds good to you, by all means, dive in!
November 14, 2023
I finished this last night and through my shower and breakfast, thinking about how I might do justice to a review of such a complex and interesting novella.
Margaret is a normal working class woman struggling with her life, her weight, her job. So much of her life will resonate with most of us. When a neighbour offers to solve the one that Margaret believes is the key to all her problems (her weight) she jumps at the chance.
There's something delightful about predictability. But the flipside is the joy that comes with your expectations being thrown out of the window. All of Me is one such book. I did not and could not predict where this story was going and that is undoubtedly a good thing.
I'm unfamiliar with body horrors generally, so this fantastic story with its twist and turns and subtext is a fantastic example for anyone wishing to get into the subgenre.
Great job!
Margaret is a normal working class woman struggling with her life, her weight, her job. So much of her life will resonate with most of us. When a neighbour offers to solve the one that Margaret believes is the key to all her problems (her weight) she jumps at the chance.
There's something delightful about predictability. But the flipside is the joy that comes with your expectations being thrown out of the window. All of Me is one such book. I did not and could not predict where this story was going and that is undoubtedly a good thing.
I'm unfamiliar with body horrors generally, so this fantastic story with its twist and turns and subtext is a fantastic example for anyone wishing to get into the subgenre.
Great job!
Read
June 28, 2022So...this was fun...and tragic. Crazy, and oozing with metaphor. This novella will speak to many people on many different levels. Whether or not you've experienced bullying and body image issues, I defy you not to connect with this story. A smooth, engaging read that I finished in three sessions.
What I took away from it was the reinforcement of the belief that we need to accept ourselves for what we are before we can expect others to accept us.
Original, and highly recommended for those who enjoy body horror with psychological elements.
What I took away from it was the reinforcement of the belief that we need to accept ourselves for what we are before we can expect others to accept us.
Original, and highly recommended for those who enjoy body horror with psychological elements.
April 18, 2022
This is a little work of genius. Darkly funny at times, at other psychologically razor sharp and often emotionally potent. This is a little undiscovered gem that should be a modern classic with a broader appeal than your typical horror audience. A must read.
September 12, 2022
What can I say about All of Me? It was simply an amazing story. The character's voices and personalities jumped right off the page. So visual and emotional. It was excellent! And the ending-well-I wasn't expecting that. Definitely going to read more of Iseult Murphy's books.
March 6, 2022
All of Me is a body horror novella about a woman called Margaret who is bullied and body-shamed inside (and outside) of her workplace. Margaret is offered something unusual by her neighbour. Something that can help her lose weight overnight, which sounds too good to be true. Unfortunately, this proves to be the case, as Margaret wakes up to find herself split into three different people, with three separate personalities, wants and needs.
The opening few chapters are written from Margaret's perspective, but once the split happens, the remaining chapters alternate between the three new personalities. This felt like a really good way to tell this story, weaving between the personalities and seeing how the different aspects of Margaret interacted with each other. The opening sections were quite hard to read, as they recounted Margaret's encounters with bullying and her own self-loathing. Having said that, it was resolved (in a manner of speaking) at the conclusion, but to say any more would be spoiling it.
Perhaps to be expected from a horror book, the horror elements are where this novella shines. Although perhaps shines is too bright a word. It's gruesome and gory in all the right places. Definitely not for anyone squeamish. I think horror fans, and body horror fans in particular, will really like this novel. I might avoid parsnips for a while though...
The opening few chapters are written from Margaret's perspective, but once the split happens, the remaining chapters alternate between the three new personalities. This felt like a really good way to tell this story, weaving between the personalities and seeing how the different aspects of Margaret interacted with each other. The opening sections were quite hard to read, as they recounted Margaret's encounters with bullying and her own self-loathing. Having said that, it was resolved (in a manner of speaking) at the conclusion, but to say any more would be spoiling it.
Perhaps to be expected from a horror book, the horror elements are where this novella shines. Although perhaps shines is too bright a word. It's gruesome and gory in all the right places. Definitely not for anyone squeamish. I think horror fans, and body horror fans in particular, will really like this novel. I might avoid parsnips for a while though...
March 10, 2022
Iseult Murphy does it again, delivering a story that is original, compelling, entertaining, poignant, and horrifying. This one is of course a shorter work and could easily be consumed in a single session - something I failed to do only because of other commitments and in no way due to a lack of interest.
It's hard to put a finger on what makes Murphy's writing so engaging, but I've decided it's best compared to what makes a genuinely good B-movie. You know when you watch a typically awful B-movie and the whole time you're like, "That makes no sense", "Nobody talks like that", "That would never happen", etc? But a GOOD B-movie is one posessing a story which pre-empts your rationalisations, grabs you by the shoulders and says "Stop that, you're coming along with me".
That's the quality Murphy's writing has. Every aspect of it is so emphatically owned and deliberate, and effortlessly readable. Even (I would argue, especially) the absurdities. The blurb of this story describes it as a 'fairy tale', and that's a pretty accurate framing. You won't find yourself questioning the realism of this story's events any more than you questioned how Red Riding Hood's grandma managed to survive in the belly of a wolf. At all times, it feels like the author is doing exactly what she intends to do.
The result is a delightful tapestry which manages to make you smile and chuckle even in it's darkest moments, and conjours a deeply human relatability even when what's happening on the page is borderline ridiculous. It's the emotive swing between mirthful entertainment, unsettling horror and thoughtful parallels of human experience that creates a sort of literary umami which is nothing short of a joy to read.
It's hard to put a finger on what makes Murphy's writing so engaging, but I've decided it's best compared to what makes a genuinely good B-movie. You know when you watch a typically awful B-movie and the whole time you're like, "That makes no sense", "Nobody talks like that", "That would never happen", etc? But a GOOD B-movie is one posessing a story which pre-empts your rationalisations, grabs you by the shoulders and says "Stop that, you're coming along with me".
That's the quality Murphy's writing has. Every aspect of it is so emphatically owned and deliberate, and effortlessly readable. Even (I would argue, especially) the absurdities. The blurb of this story describes it as a 'fairy tale', and that's a pretty accurate framing. You won't find yourself questioning the realism of this story's events any more than you questioned how Red Riding Hood's grandma managed to survive in the belly of a wolf. At all times, it feels like the author is doing exactly what she intends to do.
The result is a delightful tapestry which manages to make you smile and chuckle even in it's darkest moments, and conjours a deeply human relatability even when what's happening on the page is borderline ridiculous. It's the emotive swing between mirthful entertainment, unsettling horror and thoughtful parallels of human experience that creates a sort of literary umami which is nothing short of a joy to read.
November 18, 2022
A fun, engaging, surprisingly relatable horror story. This book focuses on a woman named Margaret, who works in an office. But she suffers from self-esteem problems due to reasons you'll soon find out. I enjoyed the first-person narrative which makes you sympathetic for the main character, and then veers into some surprising directions. You’ll definitely want to read more as the plot moves into some unpredictable areas and plunges into horror.
The story also explores themes perhaps many of us have thought about living our modern lives and the self-love we need and struggle to give ourselves. I think one nit-pick is that some of the decisions and actions characters take can be questionable/unrealistic at times, given the circumstances. The other issue is the ending: while fitting, it could have been expanded more and I think the story even deserves an epilogue. But still, the story seems like it could be easily adapted into a TV episode focused on suspense and body horror.
The story also explores themes perhaps many of us have thought about living our modern lives and the self-love we need and struggle to give ourselves. I think one nit-pick is that some of the decisions and actions characters take can be questionable/unrealistic at times, given the circumstances. The other issue is the ending: while fitting, it could have been expanded more and I think the story even deserves an epilogue. But still, the story seems like it could be easily adapted into a TV episode focused on suspense and body horror.
March 19, 2022
Like many good horror books, All of Us by Iseult Murphy was full of gory bits that were descriptive in all the right ways, but the best part of the novella was the excellent character of Margarete and her trio of Dot, Peggy, and Daisy. The first person narrative really helped me get into the heads of these relatable characters. Margarete, having been bullied all her life is really relatable, even if the reader hasn't experienced such fierce bullying, I think we can all relate in some way--we all have things in us we wish we could change and those are always the things people notice and comment on. Or at least we perceive it this way.
This book was well written with a surprise twist at the end which really added to it. My only complaint is I felt the third act could have used a bit more resolution in it, but that complaint is all.
This book was well written with a surprise twist at the end which really added to it. My only complaint is I felt the third act could have used a bit more resolution in it, but that complaint is all.
November 23, 2022
All of Me is a truly terrifying short story which proudly displays all the horror that is promised. What starts out as a sad tale with an easy escape for the main character Margaret quickly evolves into a situation that she did not want and did not expect.
The author does a good job of portraying the main character as we feel sorry for her early on and understand her motivations. We also see the traits and flaws of her character in the three people that she splits into. I liked the graphic nature of this book, especially when some of the side characters got what was coming their way in the middle section - that was extremely gratifying. The writing is vivid and detailed in all the right way, and the use of violence is gratuitous and easy to follow. It reminded me a lot of Stephen King's IT in a lot of ways.
The ending was good but a bit abrupt. It felt a bit like half a book. I would like to see something more to this story but on a whole it is an excellent read for all horror lovers.
The author does a good job of portraying the main character as we feel sorry for her early on and understand her motivations. We also see the traits and flaws of her character in the three people that she splits into. I liked the graphic nature of this book, especially when some of the side characters got what was coming their way in the middle section - that was extremely gratifying. The writing is vivid and detailed in all the right way, and the use of violence is gratuitous and easy to follow. It reminded me a lot of Stephen King's IT in a lot of ways.
The ending was good but a bit abrupt. It felt a bit like half a book. I would like to see something more to this story but on a whole it is an excellent read for all horror lovers.
January 17, 2023
What happens when your creepy neighbour gives you a strange plant to help you lose weight? Nothing good! Margaret is tired of the jokes and the way she is treated at the office, so when Stan, her neighbour, offers her a quick fix, she goes for it. Shockingly it works, but not in the way she thought. Margaret splits into three people - Dot, Peggy, and Daisy - each with very different personalities. The danger begins when Margaret's insatiable hunger raises its head.
I enjoyed the book, I think the way the author had each woman be their own person, driven by their own motivations was interesting to read. I do think the use of I a lot was a little distracting to read and repetitive, but the plot was well crafted and I would read more by this author.
I enjoyed the book, I think the way the author had each woman be their own person, driven by their own motivations was interesting to read. I do think the use of I a lot was a little distracting to read and repetitive, but the plot was well crafted and I would read more by this author.
January 15, 2023
All Of Me tells the tale of Margaret who longs to lose weight. When her neighbor offers her a mysterious root to try, it has unexpected results. Now split into three women, Dot, Peggy, and Daisy are three very different parts of Margaret.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were well written, and I liked how each aspect of Margaret represented the parts she kept inside. Her ambitious side, her kind, caring side, and the side that tried to protect her from hurt. You do have to suspend disbelief a little, particularly in their reactions to the events, but the story was well crafted and I would definitely recommend it
I enjoyed this book. The characters were well written, and I liked how each aspect of Margaret represented the parts she kept inside. Her ambitious side, her kind, caring side, and the side that tried to protect her from hurt. You do have to suspend disbelief a little, particularly in their reactions to the events, but the story was well crafted and I would definitely recommend it
March 29, 2022
This is a brilliant read! Iseult Murphy has a way with words that totally take you by surpriseIt pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. I received a free copy of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
March 24, 2022
Wildly imaginative story! Wonderful characters. Interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. A freaky good read!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
March 9, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised with "All of Me." It is the kind of indie-published book which I expect from alternative authors but seldom get. The whole purpose of reading outside mainstream published books from the big five is so that we get something different, unpredictable. Something that wouldn't pass through the normal filters because it doesn't "appeal to a mass audience."
All of Me most likely will never appeal to a mass audience. It is dark, it is violent, and it deals with subject matter many might have trouble with. And that is why I enjoyed it so much.
I do not wish to write about plot points, I highly recommend this book be read with no prior information. Even the back matter (blurb) of the book I feel reveals too much.
I like the way the book was written from the three different perspectives, although sometimes the narrator sounded so similar, I would get lost as to who was speaking. The writing was top-notch, and it helped the story move along at a good pace.
Here is my real question. And it is what could potentially makes this a "pretty good" story to an "amazing" one. Are we meant to take the plot literally? Or is this Kafka-esque? One could certainly make an argument that overweight people can feel like different people inside, especially after rapid weight loss/gain. Those around us treat us differently, and the way we look at ourselves can differ in our physical appearance. Were there really three different people in the story? Or was it the same person, seeing themself differently?
In the end, love and acceptance are what save Margaret from her other self. Daisy kills those around her in order to "protect" herself. Coincidentally, people with self-esteem issues push others away in order to protect themselves. What are we to make of all this? I could be seeing too much. Maybe the author did not intend for these double meanings, but they shine through nonetheless, and it made me think. For that, I would place it a cut above the other 90% of endless indie novels out there. Highly recommend. No disclaimer is needed, it's horror so you should expect some level of gore.
All of Me most likely will never appeal to a mass audience. It is dark, it is violent, and it deals with subject matter many might have trouble with. And that is why I enjoyed it so much.
I do not wish to write about plot points, I highly recommend this book be read with no prior information. Even the back matter (blurb) of the book I feel reveals too much.
I like the way the book was written from the three different perspectives, although sometimes the narrator sounded so similar, I would get lost as to who was speaking. The writing was top-notch, and it helped the story move along at a good pace.
Here is my real question. And it is what could potentially makes this a "pretty good" story to an "amazing" one. Are we meant to take the plot literally? Or is this Kafka-esque? One could certainly make an argument that overweight people can feel like different people inside, especially after rapid weight loss/gain. Those around us treat us differently, and the way we look at ourselves can differ in our physical appearance. Were there really three different people in the story? Or was it the same person, seeing themself differently?
In the end, love and acceptance are what save Margaret from her other self. Daisy kills those around her in order to "protect" herself. Coincidentally, people with self-esteem issues push others away in order to protect themselves. What are we to make of all this? I could be seeing too much. Maybe the author did not intend for these double meanings, but they shine through nonetheless, and it made me think. For that, I would place it a cut above the other 90% of endless indie novels out there. Highly recommend. No disclaimer is needed, it's horror so you should expect some level of gore.
March 7, 2022
Wow, what a fun read!
I've come to appreciate Iseult Murphy's writing over the past few years, and this novella didn't disappoint.
This story centers on Margaret, a morbidly obese woman who suffers physically and emotionally with her weight. That all changes when a strange man gives her a bizarre root that splits her into three slim versions of herself. Now the three of them can truly live their lives to the fullest, but is there something more to this root than meets the eye?
I've got to say, what really made this story a winner was the portrayal of Margaret, as well as Dot, Peggy, and Daisy. Margaret is in intriguing character, and I liked being inside her head. She's been teased all throughout her life based on her weight, and as an effect she's become withdrawn, depressed, and loathes herself. It was so easy to relate to her and root for her. She felt very three dimensional to me.
Dot, Peggy, and Daisy were just as intriguing. They were divided parts of Margaret, each with their own unique faults and strengths. I liked exploring each one's mindset, and it was executed extremely well.
The plot was unpredictable, and I really loved that. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, and that propelled me forward. The horror element was especially chilling.
I only had minor quips overall. In just a few places, the flow kind of got off track for me, and I believe there was a small inconsistency or two throughout, but nothing that killed the read for me by any means.
If you want a refreshing take on body horror, definitely give this a try!
I've come to appreciate Iseult Murphy's writing over the past few years, and this novella didn't disappoint.
This story centers on Margaret, a morbidly obese woman who suffers physically and emotionally with her weight. That all changes when a strange man gives her a bizarre root that splits her into three slim versions of herself. Now the three of them can truly live their lives to the fullest, but is there something more to this root than meets the eye?
I've got to say, what really made this story a winner was the portrayal of Margaret, as well as Dot, Peggy, and Daisy. Margaret is in intriguing character, and I liked being inside her head. She's been teased all throughout her life based on her weight, and as an effect she's become withdrawn, depressed, and loathes herself. It was so easy to relate to her and root for her. She felt very three dimensional to me.
Dot, Peggy, and Daisy were just as intriguing. They were divided parts of Margaret, each with their own unique faults and strengths. I liked exploring each one's mindset, and it was executed extremely well.
The plot was unpredictable, and I really loved that. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, and that propelled me forward. The horror element was especially chilling.
I only had minor quips overall. In just a few places, the flow kind of got off track for me, and I believe there was a small inconsistency or two throughout, but nothing that killed the read for me by any means.
If you want a refreshing take on body horror, definitely give this a try!
October 10, 2023
All of Me by Iseult Murphy is described as a body horror novella but I found it to be much more. Despite its relative brevity it tackles some very heavy issues and does so with much skill.
Margaret is struggling through life, working in a job where she feels undervalued and is often the butt of jokes because she is struggling with her weight. She lives alone and her only real friend is Mike, a man she has met online as part of her weight loss group. Margaret is really trying but her progress is just too slow, and when her mysterious neighbour offers her a mysterious root that he claims will drastically speed up her weight loss , tired of all the bullying and harassment she reluctantly agrees to give it a try. The results are shocking to say the least- she wakes up literally a third of her former size and is thrilled until she realises that that is because she is now one of three versions of herself.
These three versions of Margaret who agree to call themselves Dot, Peggy and Daisy, are very different people and it soon becomes clear that each represents a different aspect of Margaret's personality, and she has been hiding some very dark thoughts.
This book does not shirk away from the gore and body horror with some spectacularly gruesome scenes but I also loved the psychological aspects of the story and was incredibly impressed by the author's skill.
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it .
Margaret is struggling through life, working in a job where she feels undervalued and is often the butt of jokes because she is struggling with her weight. She lives alone and her only real friend is Mike, a man she has met online as part of her weight loss group. Margaret is really trying but her progress is just too slow, and when her mysterious neighbour offers her a mysterious root that he claims will drastically speed up her weight loss , tired of all the bullying and harassment she reluctantly agrees to give it a try. The results are shocking to say the least- she wakes up literally a third of her former size and is thrilled until she realises that that is because she is now one of three versions of herself.
These three versions of Margaret who agree to call themselves Dot, Peggy and Daisy, are very different people and it soon becomes clear that each represents a different aspect of Margaret's personality, and she has been hiding some very dark thoughts.
This book does not shirk away from the gore and body horror with some spectacularly gruesome scenes but I also loved the psychological aspects of the story and was incredibly impressed by the author's skill.
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it .
March 2, 2022
A horror gem
Excellent horror story about a young woman named Margaret, who, desperate to lose weight, seizes an unexpected opportunity to do so quickly, only to get split into three. The story then switches from Margaret’s perspective into alternating between Dot, Peggy and Daisy, her three personas, and thereafter things turn very dark.
I was drawn into the story from the first page. Margaret, struggling with being overweight and the way she is treated by other people (the element of the story I found most upsetting), really moved me, and I felt so much for Margaret and her problems. I loved Wiggy, her little cat, and her on-line diet buddy friend Magic Mike. There is humour in this story, but it’s very dark. It’s also an original, unusual horror, and a gripping read (I read it in one sitting). However there is so much more to All of Me, and I am impressed with how much the author packed in to it. Themes include suffering, self-hatred, dealing with fear, as well as what constitutes a human, the darkness that lies within each of us, indulging our appetites, and I guess temptation and the choices we make, and probably so much more.
All in all, a well-written, hugely enjoyable but very dark horror.
Excellent horror story about a young woman named Margaret, who, desperate to lose weight, seizes an unexpected opportunity to do so quickly, only to get split into three. The story then switches from Margaret’s perspective into alternating between Dot, Peggy and Daisy, her three personas, and thereafter things turn very dark.
I was drawn into the story from the first page. Margaret, struggling with being overweight and the way she is treated by other people (the element of the story I found most upsetting), really moved me, and I felt so much for Margaret and her problems. I loved Wiggy, her little cat, and her on-line diet buddy friend Magic Mike. There is humour in this story, but it’s very dark. It’s also an original, unusual horror, and a gripping read (I read it in one sitting). However there is so much more to All of Me, and I am impressed with how much the author packed in to it. Themes include suffering, self-hatred, dealing with fear, as well as what constitutes a human, the darkness that lies within each of us, indulging our appetites, and I guess temptation and the choices we make, and probably so much more.
All in all, a well-written, hugely enjoyable but very dark horror.
March 15, 2022
Iseult Murphy blends a winning combination of horror and literary fiction in this unique novella about one woman's battle with self-loathing and body dysmorphia. Margaret is a morbidly obese woman who despises her body as much as her bullying colleagues and neighbours. When a sole friendly neighbour, Stan, offers a solution in the form of a supernatural root vegetable that Margaret consumes, she finds herself split into three women, becoming Peggy, Dot and Daisy. Each woman has a different facet of Margaret's personality, though Daisy as the most self-hating is also the most dominant. Murphy's ability to show a spiral of self-destruction challenged by personal growth and honest reflection is impressive; the writing is tight and plot moves quickly. This story could almost be read as a parable on the perils of giving into despair if a person does not keep their mental health issues in check. Either way, this was a thought provoking story that I will be rereading; on the surface it seems like a straightforward, easy read but I suspect there are many more layers to the deceptively simple prose. Loved it. I'll be checking out more of the author's books, for sure.
January 3, 2024
Not enough land or pigs
Devilishly moreish and easily digested, Murphy's short and snappy tale is as grotesque as it is witty, absurd as it is heartbreaking. It fully explores the nature of hunger in all of its forms and dares to delve into what is inside all of us. Highly recommended to anyone with a strong stomach.
Devilishly moreish and easily digested, Murphy's short and snappy tale is as grotesque as it is witty, absurd as it is heartbreaking. It fully explores the nature of hunger in all of its forms and dares to delve into what is inside all of us. Highly recommended to anyone with a strong stomach.
February 17, 2025
That was interesting
Interesting, comical, bizarre take on what Makes up a person. Fighting what and how others see you.and how you see yourself. Definitely was a quick read.
Interesting, comical, bizarre take on what Makes up a person. Fighting what and how others see you.and how you see yourself. Definitely was a quick read.
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