Sorrowland

Vern flees a Black separatist commune while pregnant, giving birth to twins in the forest. She survives alone in the wilderness, raising her children while experiencing mysterious physical transformations and supernatural encounters. Through her journey away from isolation, Vern discovers connections to others who have escaped her former community. She begins to uncover disturbing truths about the commune's true nature and purpose, while grappling with unexplained phenomena that continue to follow her. Her quest for answers leads her through complex relationships and mounting dangers, as she fights to protect herself and her children. The mystery deepens as Vern's physical changes intensify and the line between reality and haunting becomes increasingly blurred. Solomon's genre-defying narrative explores themes of bodily autonomy, institutional power, and the legacy of medical experimentation on Black bodies in America. The novel integrates elements of horror, science fiction, and gothic literature to examine identity, motherhood, and survival.

Readers emphasize the unique blend of horror, gothic elements, and social commentary in Sorrowland. Multiple reviews note the raw, visceral writing style and complex exploration of identity. Readers appreciated: - The portrayal of motherhood and survival - Treatment of body horror and transformation - LGBTQ+ representation - Commentary on medical experimentation and racism Common criticisms: - Pacing issues, particularly in the middle section - Plot threads that feel unresolved - Dense, sometimes confusing narrative structure - Graphic content that some found overwhelming Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (editorial rating) One reader noted: "The prose is beautiful but the story meanders." Another wrote: "Bold and unsettling, but the supernatural elements needed more explanation." Most reviewers recommend it for readers who enjoy experimental fiction and aren't squeamish about body horror.

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🔹 Rivers Solomon identifies as genderqueer and uses fae/faer pronouns, bringing a unique perspective to their exploration of identity and transformation in the novel. 🔹 The book's themes of medical experimentation on Black bodies draw from real historical events, including the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study conducted between 1932 and 1972. 🔹 "Sorrowland" won the 2022 Otherwise Award (formerly the James Tiptree Jr. Award) for works of science fiction or fantasy that expand our understanding of gender. 🔹 The protagonist's journey mirrors aspects of American maroonage - the historical practice of escaped enslaved people creating independent communities in remote wilderness areas. 🔹 Solomon drew inspiration from their own experiences with chronic illness and bodily transformation while writing the novel's physical metamorphosis sequences.