Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss

Haunting and oppressive, Ghost Wall is an eerie post-Brexit-Feminist horror novella and my first time reading anything by Sarah Moss!

At times, I was incredibly frustrated at this book - at Silvie’s father’s brutality towards her and her mother, at her mother’s resignation towards it, and Silvie’s complex duplicity of fear and protective-instinct towards her father (even after his arrest). Justice is waved about out of reach. So much so, it is apparent that Silvie believes that paternal (and male) violence will always be a part of (her) life and respite will never come.

Silvie’s father Bill takes his family on the trip in search of the ‘original Britons.’ Even though the Prof informs him that his hopes have no foundation, he is adamant in recovering this lost way of life. His actions are largely misogynistic and racist and made me think of the way some people can use history, and the nostalgia of historical periods, as a way of disguising discriminatory beliefs.

The ending left me wanting more. Is her father convicted? What becomes of her mother? Is Silvie okay living without parents, despite their numerous shortcomings? Will she be able to move on from her father’s influence?

I would say if you enjoyed Midsommar, or enjoyed the psychological humidity of ‘Rebecca’, then you will love this!