I received an ARC of this novel from a Goodreads Giveaway hosted by William Morrow. All opinions are my own.
Plain Bad Heroines is Emily M. Danforth’s adult debut. I had not heard of this book before finding it listed for a Goodreads giveaway. The description sounded right up my alley, so I decided to try my luck at entering for an ARC. I was so shocked when I won, but it was really exciting, especially since it would only be my second time winning a physical ARC. When I say this book had hooked me right from the start, I mean it.
This book is pitched as gothic horror comedy like The Haunting of Hill House meets The Favourite. This was enough to have my attention, but the premise itself takes that a step further. The story weaves from 1902 to over a century later to focus on a cast of characters who are all connected to the seemingly cursed Brookhants School for Girls.
In 1902, the school is run by Libbie Brookhants. Two students, Flo and Clara, attend this school when they become infatuated with Mary MacLane’s writing and each other before their tragic deaths, leaving Libbie to deal with the aftermath and the school’s eventual closing. The novel explores Libbie’s own backstory and relationship with her partner Alex as well. Over a century later, Merritt Emmons writes a novel titled The Happening at Brookhants, which is then set to be adapted into a film. Actors Harper Harper and Audrey Wells are cast as Flo and Clara, which finally sets up the multiple timelines the novel explores and opens the doors to Brookhants again.
Plain Bad Heroines was such a fun read for me. I love when novels have nonlinear timelines that weave together multiple other stories. This book is like a story within a story within a story that features novels within a novel and a film within a film as well. It seems like a complex concept that may be hard to follow, but it really was not as daunting as it may seem. I think the narration and writing of the novel helps avoid possible confusion. I really like how the novel actually addresses readers. It employs a lot of footnotes too, which I thought was really cool. The pacing and flow are excellent as well. Danforth definitely plays up the humor aspect but expertly pairs it with darker and creepier moments. Brookhants is very atmospheric, and it was really interesting to see all the stories there. I loved a lot of the characters but especially the main trio: Merritt, Audrey, and Harper. Many of the characters featured in this novel are sapphic, but Danforth also includes a budding sapphic polyamorous relationship. It was beautiful to see how this relationship developed and played out.
I also just want to mention that Sara Lautman absolutely killed it with her artwork. It was incredible and definitely helped with emphasizing the atmosphere Danforth was creating. The cover and illustrations within the novel are stunning.
Emily M. Danforth impressed me so much with this book. Her writing draws readers in, and the story itself is just so fascinating. I honestly cannot wait to pick up a finished copy, and I’m hoping to collect both the US and UK editions. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes sapphic dark academia!!
Thank you to William Morrow and Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel before its release on October 20th, 2020.
*Content warning: insects, death, queer suffering, forced institutionalization*
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I’m rating this 4 because of the early 1900’s part of this story.I struggled over several months to get through the first half of this book. The gothic boarding school trope was there + mystery + Hauntings but the way it is written (switching between numerous narrators, dates and locations) made me seasick.Redeeming quality for me is the historical story that came through in the telling and I wish there was more of it.In short this is a sapphic tale of Hollywood, friendships, hauntings & how the repercussions of our choices affect those who follow us.““Don’t find yourself regretting this. You’re much too young to haunt your own life.” Page 380, Kindle edition
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 24, 2021
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 7, 2022
I’m rating this 4 because of the early 1900’s part of this story.
I struggled over several months to get through the first half of this book. The gothic boarding school trope was there + mystery + Hauntings but the way it is written (switching between numerous narrators, dates and locations) made me seasick.
Redeeming quality for me is the historical story that came through in the telling and I wish there was more of it.
In short this is a sapphic tale of Hollywood, friendships, hauntings & how the repercussions of our choices affect those who follow us.
““Don’t find yourself regretting this. You’re much too young to haunt your own life.” Page 380, Kindle edition
I struggled over several months to get through the first half of this book. The gothic boarding school trope was there + mystery + Hauntings but the way it is written (switching between numerous narrators, dates and locations) made me seasick.
Redeeming quality for me is the historical story that came through in the telling and I wish there was more of it.
In short this is a sapphic tale of Hollywood, friendships, hauntings & how the repercussions of our choices affect those who follow us.
““Don’t find yourself regretting this. You’re much too young to haunt your own life.” Page 380, Kindle edition
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2020
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 31, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
Georgiana89
Ambitious, spooky read with interesting structure and enjoyably flawed characters
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 28, 2022
Chloe M
3-4 star, may need a reread.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 14, 2021
Lecari
Atmospheric story with some creepy moments
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 21, 2022
V. O'Regan
American Gothic at its finest
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 5, 2022
