This book is not for the faint of heart. The stories in The Coiled Serpent is for a specific type of reader, or for a reader looking for a specific type of thing. That thing being decay, rot, mold, and a whole lot of feces. But if you can stomach all of that, there are also stories of revenge, absurdity, and irony, with some black humor sprinkled in for a nice touch. 

One thing I have come to enjoy about horror is how it can serve as social commentary by presenting twisted and warped reflections of reality (that isn’t actually that far-fetched if you stop and think about it.) Camilla Grudova does this so well in this short story collection. Because yes, while there is putrefaction, bodily fluids, and grotesque imagery, there are also the very real horrors of life under uncontrolled capitalism, the far-reaching effects of colonialism, class systems, shitty landlords, horrible employers, exploitation of immigrants and POC, and the audacity of men.

While the stories made me queasy and uncomfortable, Grudova’s writing is also filled with unique turns of phrases that I found so interesting and beautiful. My gripe is that some stories felt like they ended too abruptly. Am I weird for wanting more of this? I also loved how the stories never went in the direction I expected them to, but they always felt right by the end. This is my first time reading Grudova’s work, and hopefully, it won’t be the last.

Thank you to The Unnamed Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Here are my favorite stories from the collection:

Ivor - Set in a boarding school where the second sons (even third, fourth, or fifth sons) are sent to live out their lives. The only bright side is the boy Ivor, who never seems to grow old, who remains beautiful and young, who all the boys love and adore.

Green Hat - Green has a history of being a deadly color. A woman plots against the man who caused the death of her daughter by way of a green hat. Hell hath no fury like a grieving mother.

The Poison Garden - “This garden is a woman’s friend.” Except when a man takes advantage of it for his own selfish agenda.

The Surrogates -  A couple agrees to become surrogates for a hefty sum. Unfortunately, the would-be parents proved to be too controlling, constantly overstepping boundaries. The ending of this story horrified me. 

Madam Flora’s - A girl loses her “monthly flowers” and is prescribed Madam Flora’s tonic, a medicine that tastes suspiciously like bl**d. And when that doesn’t work, she is sent to Madam Flora’s Hotel alongside other girls who have the same predicament.

The Coiled Serpent - Three tech bros find a “spiritual book” that promises enlightenment if they withhold from ej*cul*tion, and these dudebros take it to heart.