I enjoyed this. I’ve never lived in suburbia, but I’m pretty sure it’s not for me either, Sol! Unless it was mandated as a quiet, childfree neighborhood with a mandatory pollinator garden…🤔🤭  I would love to see a movie adaptation of this. 

 

Energy: Disparaging. Dubious. Hazy. 

 

The audio narrator’s rhythm was distracting…it sounded like early AI trying it’s best - “ThE sun was. Shining ThRoUgH. The WiNdOwS. Whenshenoticed her NeIgHbOuR”.

 

The slower pace can feel too drawn out, especially if you’re not relating to the premise or main character. Seemed to fall apart leading up to the end. 

Refreshing take on a suburban suspense. Relatable MC. Subtle but thought-provoking exploration of suburban & academic toxicity. Slow burn pacing, getting to know the characters and their daily lives. Sound effects in the audio. More vibes than plot (but still has a plot). The spirit of the ending. 

 

Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in suburban Connecticut

Perspective: A molecular researcher distracted by an accusation that could end their career moves to the suburbs with their spouse, who chose the house and neighbourhood. 

Timeline: Current (2020s-ish)

🔥 Fuel: Character evolution. Moral dilemmas. Relationship dynamics. Tension and social commentary. Unreliable narrator potential. Who to trust. Why is Soul feeling uneasy about her new neighbourhood? Why are she and Alicia not getting along anymore? Are people behaving strangely? 

📖 Cred: Supernatural sci-fi realism

 

Aspen trees. Radio static. Gift basket. Rotting meat. Fresh cut grass. Mould. Silent forest. Runny nose. 

 

Content Heads-Up: Racism (assumptions, stereotyping, rejection/limiting opportunities, anxieties, diminishing efforts). Homophobia (family rejection and abuse, physical attack). Depression, anxiety (symptoms). Unsafe childhood home (intoxicated parent, physical punishments). Alcohol (over-imbibing, self-medicating, substance abuse). Social anxiety. False accusation (academic integrity). Parasites (facts). Toxic masculinity. Funeral. Sabotage. Car crash (very brief; fatal). Suicide (off page recall, imagery). Fire (building). Sexual content (brief).

 

Rep: American. First gen Korean American. Second gen Dominican American, Black Latina. Cis. Lesbian. Soft brown, deep brown, pale, and ambiguous skin tones. Childfree by choice. Allergies (pollen). 

 

📚 Format: Library Audio