Review: The Occultists

4 stars. This is by far one of the most interesting horror novels I've ever read. It took me ages, but I think the amount of time I spent in this story only added to my investment and curiosity about where it would lead. I understand why other reviewers want to discuss in a book club - I'd love to hear how others would unpack this; I'd love to hear the theories. 

Lonely teen Max Grahame forms a plan to escape his circumstances, made dire by a bully of a stepfather and a very ill mother. He takes a job at his small town's postmaster's office, only to discover that the postmaster has a peculiar and secret interest - magic. As Max learns more about his employer's occult beliefs and practices, his world widens, his talent takes off, and he becomes aware of his unintentional role in a conflict between two factions - dangerous, and global - cosmic, even - in scale.

Heaps of praise around the author's research is well deserved. This truly reads like a slice of history with real events and elements sprinkled in. Max's journey is also, I would say, impeccably designed. It's an almost perfect full circle novel, with several seemingly random loose threads woven back into the fabric beautifully before the end. That care and deliberation (which is also apparent in the writing itself) is what earns 4 stars from me.

My quibbles: Max sometimes read his age but often felt much younger to me. Pacing - as others have noted, the story really, really dragged toward the end. The figurative language was a bit much - maybe slightly overwrought - at times. I didn't always enjoy the way female characters - their bodies, their breath, their physicality - were described. And much of this story felt a little bit unknowable, or untouchable, or inaccessible, to me. 

But honestly: no regrets. This is a hidden gem, very unique, and very creative. Not a consistent page turner, but worthy of your concentration and commitment. The moments of horror will stick with you.

For more: Vita Nostra, A Dark Song (film), The Illusionist (film).