Plain Bad Heroines

Plain Bad Heroines alternates between two parallel narratives set at Brookhants School for Girls in Rhode Island - one in 1902 and one in present day. The story centers on a series of mysterious deaths that began with two students who formed a secret society devoted to controversial writer Mary MacLane. In the present-day timeline, a film adaptation about the school's dark history is being produced at the now-abandoned Brookhants campus. The production brings together the book's author and two actresses who must confront the possibility that the school's reputed curse is real. The novel incorporates illustrations, footnotes, and meta-commentary while blending elements of gothic horror, queer romance, and Hollywood satire. Multiple timelines and perspectives create an intricate structure that connects past and present events at Brookhants. This ambitious work explores themes of storytelling, truth versus fiction, and the ways queer women's narratives have historically been erased or rewritten. The novel challenges genre conventions while examining how stories shape our understanding of both history and identity.

Readers highlight the atmospheric Gothic horror elements and detailed historical research. The parallel timelines and sapphic relationships resonated with many reviewers, with specific praise for the authentic LGBTQ+ representation. Readers appreciated: - Dark humor and footnotes that add depth - Illustrations and yellow jacket wasps imagery - Complex female characters - New England boarding school setting Common criticisms: - Length (over 600 pages) with slow pacing - Confusing structure switching between timelines - Too many characters to track - Meta-commentary interrupts story flow - Ending left questions unanswered Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (1,200+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes "beautiful writing but needed editing." Several reviews mention abandoning the book partway due to pacing, while others praise the "rich atmosphere worth the slow build."

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson A group of people gather at Hill House for a paranormal investigation, leading to psychological horror and uncertainty about reality that mirrors Brookhants' atmosphere.

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas Students at an isolated and experimental college face dark secrets and mounting dread in this gothic academic setting that connects to Plain Bad Heroines' exploration of institutional horror.

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo The investigation of a friend's death at a southern university uncovers generations of haunting and curses while weaving queer themes through gothic horror.

In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado This memoir uses multiple narrative styles and meta-commentary to tell a story about queer relationships and horror, echoing Plain Bad Heroines' experimental structure.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Past and present timelines intersect as a journalist uncovers the truth about a Hollywood legend, revealing hidden queer history and the power of storytelling.

🎬 The film-within-a-book storyline was partially inspired by Danforth's fascination with meta-horror films like "Scream" and "The Blair Witch Project" 📚 The fictional memoir that sparks the tragic events, "The Story of Mary MacLane," is based on a real 1902 autobiography that caused significant controversy for its frank discussion of sexuality 🏫 Brookhants School was loosely modeled after several historic New England girls' boarding schools, including the Mary A. Burnham School, which operated from 1877 to 1974 🐝 Yellow jackets appear as a recurring motif throughout the novel, serving both as literal threats and metaphors for the characters' suppressed desires ✒️ The book includes unusual formatting elements like footnotes, illustrations, and marginalia, making it a unique example of experimental literary horror that plays with traditional storytelling conventions