Tell Me I'm Worthless

Three years ago, Alice and Ila went into an abandoned house and experienced something that destroyed their friendship. Now estranged, they haven't spoken since that night, but both remain haunted by what happened inside. The women must confront their traumatic memories and return to the house to face what awaits them there. Their journey forces them to reckon with their shared past and the ways their lives have diverged since that fateful night. The novel follows their parallel narratives as they move through London, wrestling with identity, trauma, and violence. Set against a backdrop of rising fascism and transphobia in Britain, the story builds tension through its blend of psychological horror and social commentary. This horror novel examines how hatred and extremism can infect both places and people, while exploring themes of trauma, identity, and the ways that buildings can hold onto history. The book confronts difficult subjects through a transgressive horror lens that challenges conventional narrative boundaries.

Readers describe this as an intense, dark horror novel that deals with transphobia, trauma, and British politics. Many note they had to take breaks while reading due to the graphic content. Readers appreciated: - Raw, unflinching examination of trans experiences - Effective use of body horror elements - Commentary on modern UK politics and fascism - Strong character development - Creative structure and pacing Common criticisms: - Too violent/disturbing for some readers - Complex narrative can be hard to follow - Political themes feel heavy-handed to some - Some found it overwritten in places Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (280+ ratings) StoryGraph: 4.2/5 Sample reader comment: "This book hurt me in ways I didn't expect. It's brutal and honest about trauma, but that's exactly what makes it powerful." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers note it's not for those sensitive to extreme horror or graphic content.

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🏚️ The novel blends haunted house horror with trans allegory, centering on a cursed building known as the Albatross House and its lasting effects on those who survived it. 📖 Alison Rumfitt wrote much of the book during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, drawing on her experiences of isolation and confinement to enhance the story's claustrophobic atmosphere. 🎭 The book directly confronts British transphobia and fascism, with the author describing it as "a haunted house story about how Britain is haunted by transphobia, fascism and transmisogyny." 🏆 Released in 2022, it quickly became one of the most talked-about horror debuts of the year and earned praise for its unflinching approach to social commentary through horror. 🎨 The cover art, featuring a stark black house against a red background, was designed by Luke Bird and has become iconic within contemporary horror literature circles.