A new work of philosophical suspense.
Penny, an artist, has lived in the same apartment for decades, surrounded by the artifacts and keepsakes of her long life. She is resigned to the mundane rituals of old age, until things start to slip. Before her longtime partner passed away years earlier, provisions were made, unbeknownst to her, for a room in a unique long-term care residence, where Penny finds herself after one too many “incidents.”
Initially, surrounded by peers, conversing, eating, sleeping, looking out at the beautiful woods that surround the house, all is well. She even begins to paint again. But as the days start to blur together, Penny—with a growing sense of unrest and distrust—starts to lose her grip on the passage of time and on her place in the world. Is she succumbing to the subtly destructive effects of aging, or is she an unknowing participant in something more unsettling?
At once compassionate and uncanny, told in spare, hypnotic prose, Iain Reid’s genre-defying third novel explores questions of conformity, art, productivity, relationships, and what, ultimately, it means to grow old.
WE SPREAD
Iain Reid
The second you pick this book up you realize you are somewhere different. You are in the mind of Iain Reid.
Let me introduce you to our main character, Penny. Penny is old and getting older. After spending an entire lifetime with her partner her situation changes when he passes away and she can no longer care for herself in their comfortable apartment.
Penny is moved to a long-term care residence filled with tenants that at first seem charming and weird, if not a little eccentric.
As time passes, Penny begins questioning her surroundings and those within the residence. Is there something nefarious going on?
I loved this book!
WE SPREAD has exceptional transportive quality. I was not reading about this home Penny was in, I was there. I could see the artwork. I could almost smell what it smelled like. I could taste the food. It was extremely immersive.
And as Penny’s life began to tumble slowly toward a fateful ending, I began to tumble too.
It was so good and accessible. I think a lot of readers will enjoy it too.
I listened to the audiobook and recommend you do the same. The performance accentuated the material, turning this already great book into my favorite read of fall so far.
WE SPREAD…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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