Title: Comfort Me with Apples
Author: Catherynne M. Valente
First published November 9, 2021
103 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250816214 (ISBN10: 1250816211)
Rating: 3.6
Overview
Everything seems perfect for Sophia, from her perfect husband to their perfect home in Arcadia Gardens. But as time goes on, Sophia becomes curious about her husband’s strange behavior and the locked basement she’s never allowed to enter.
Despite her inquiries, her husband remains evasive and the neighbors seem to be hiding something. Will Sophia uncover the truth about her perfect life, or will she be forced to accept things as they are?
Comfort Me with Apples is a gripping tale of secrets and suspicion that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Catherynne M. Valente was born in Seattle, WA on Cinco de Mayo in 1979.
She spent most of her childhood in Northern California, surrounded by wheatgrass. Catherynne graduated from high school at the young age of 15.
She went on to study at UC San Diego and Edinburgh University, focusing on Classics with an emphasis in Ancient Greek Linguistics. She then took a break from her M.A. program and lived in Japan for a while.
Currently, Catherynne resides in Maine with her partner, two dogs, and three cats. She returned to America and now lives in the mythic frontier of the Midwest.
Editoral Review
Comfort Me with Apples by Catherynne M. Valente is a beautifully written work of fiction that is sure to provoke deep thought and introspection in its readers.
Valente is a celebrated author, known for her unique voice, her breathtaking prose, and her thought-provoking themes. Comfort Me with Apples is her latest offering, and it certainly does not disappoint.
The book can be classified as a work of magical realism, with surreal elements that are woven throughout the narrative. At its heart, however, it is a character-driven story, with a strong emphasis on themes of love, loss, and the search for identity.
Valente is able to skillfully balance the fantastical with the real, creating a world that is both strange and familiar, like a dream that you can’t quite remember. The story follows the journey of Charlie, a young woman who has recently lost her mother and is struggling to find her place in the world.
She embarks on a quest to find the perfect apple, a fruit that her mother had always told her held the key to happiness. Along the way, she encounters a cast of characters that are as colorful as they are memorable, each with their own dreams, desires, and secrets.
One of the strengths of Comfort Me with Apples is the richly detailed world building. Valente creates a universe that is both fantastical and relatable, with lush descriptions of the natural world that leave you feeling like you have actually stepped into the story.
This is a book that you can lose yourself in, savoring every word and letting the imagery wash over you. Valente’s characters are also a real triumph.
Each one is beautifully realized, with their own unique voice and backstory. The relationships between them are complex and nuanced, with subtle nuances and unspoken tensions that make them feel like real people.
Charlie, in particular, is a wonderfully flawed protagonist, struggling to come to terms with her own grief and insecurities. That being said, the book is not without its flaws.
The pacing can be a bit slow at times, and some readers may find the surreal elements too bizarre for their liking. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent work.
Overall, Comfort Me with Apples is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys thoughtful, character-driven fiction. Valente is a masterful storyteller, and this book is a testament to her skill.
It is a story that will stick with you long after you have put it down, leaving you with a sense of wonder and awe. I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
