The Dangers of Smoking in Bed

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed is a collection of psychological horror stories set in contemporary Argentina. These twelve tales blend supernatural elements with the gritty reality of urban Buenos Aires, exploring dark corners of society and human nature. The stories feature a range of characters confronting uncanny and disturbing situations: teenagers dabbling in dark rituals, women haunted by supernatural entities, and individuals grappling with obsessions that take horrific turns. Translator Megan McDowell maintains the raw intensity of Enriquez's original Spanish text in this English edition. Each narrative exists in a space between realism and nightmare, drawing from Argentine folklore and urban legends while remaining firmly grounded in modern-day settings. The collection was shortlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize and has received widespread critical recognition. The book examines themes of body horror, social inequality, and generational trauma, using supernatural elements as a lens to explore Argentina's complex history and contemporary struggles.

Readers describe these short stories as unsettling horror tales that blend social commentary with supernatural elements. Many note similarities to Shirley Jackson and Carmen Maria Machado's writing styles. Readers appreciated: - The vivid South American setting and cultural context - Complex female characters facing dark circumstances - The mix of psychological and supernatural horror - Sharp social criticism woven into the narratives Common criticisms: - Several stories feel unresolved or end abruptly - The content can be too disturbing or graphic - Some supernatural elements seem disconnected from the plots Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (20,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (850+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (300+ ratings) "The stories stick with you long after reading," notes one Goodreads reviewer, while another states "the endings often left me frustrated and wanting more closure." Multiple readers mentioned the story "Meat" as particularly impactful but potentially too graphic for some audiences.

Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez Stories set in contemporary Argentina merge social commentary with supernatural horror, creating the same haunting blend of reality and dark forces.

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado A collection that weaves horror, sexuality, and folklore into stories about women's bodies and experiences in ways that echo Enriquez's visceral style.

Revenge by Yoko Ogawa These interconnected tales combine psychological horror with everyday settings to create unsettling narratives that blur the line between normal and supernatural.

Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Tales that use horror elements to examine social issues and systemic inequality through a lens of dark surrealism and body horror.

The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All by Laird Barron Stories rooted in cosmic horror merge with gritty realism to explore dark corners of human nature and societal decay.

🔥 Mariana Enriquez was a finalist for the 2021 International Booker Prize with this collection, marking a significant moment for Latin American horror literature. 🌟 The book's title story "Las cosas que perdimos en el fuego" ("The Things We Lost in the Fire") was inspired by real cases of femicide in Argentina, blending social commentary with horror elements. 🎭 The author draws heavily from Argentina's political history and the "Dirty War" period (1976-1983), incorporating these dark historical elements into her supernatural narratives. 📚 Translator Megan McDowell, who brought this work to English readers, has won multiple awards including the 2020 National Book Award for Translated Literature for her other works. 🖋️ Before writing horror fiction, Enriquez worked as a journalist and editor at Página/12, one of Argentina's main newspapers, which influenced her realistic portrayal of urban settings.