Follow Me to Ground

Ada and her father live on the outskirts of a rural town, where they perform healing rituals on local residents they call Cures. The pair are not quite human - they emerge from and return to sleep in the Ground, a mystical earth-based substance that gives them their abilities. Ada's controlled existence shifts when she begins a relationship with a human man named Samson. Their connection threatens the delicate balance between the supernatural and mundane worlds, while raising questions about Ada's true nature and desires. The novel takes place in an eerily familiar yet otherworldly setting, blending elements of folk horror, magical realism, and gothic romance. Through Ada's perspective, readers encounter a landscape where the boundaries between healing and harm, human and non-human remain fluid and uncertain. This debut novel explores themes of bodily autonomy, isolation, and the price of belonging. The text challenges conventional ideas about intimacy, power, and what it means to be "natural" or "unnatural" in an environment that defies easy categorization.

Readers describe this book as strange, unsettling, and difficult to categorize. Many compare it to works by Carmen Maria Machado and Kelly Link. Positive reviews focus on: - The unique, dreamlike prose style - Creative body horror elements - Original take on supernatural healing - The blurring of human/monster boundaries - Atmospheric tension throughout Common criticisms: - Confusing narrative structure - Underdeveloped characters - Unclear worldbuilding rules - Ending feels rushed/unresolved "Like reading a fever dream," notes one Goodreads reviewer. "Beautiful writing but I never fully understood what was happening," says another. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (8,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (200+ ratings) The book appears to resonate most with readers who enjoy experimental literary horror and aren't seeking clear plot resolution or traditional character development.

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🌿 "Follow Me to Ground" was Sue Rainsford's debut novel, originally published in Ireland in 2018 before gaining international attention. 🌟 The book blends elements of folk horror, magical realism, and body horror—drawing comparisons to works by Carmen Maria Machado and Kelly Link. 🏥 The healing rituals described in the book were partially inspired by ancient Celtic folklore and traditional medicine practices. 📚 The novel won the Kate O'Brien Award and was longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and the Republic of Consciousness Prize. 🎨 Author Sue Rainsford is also a visual artist and has worked as an arts writer, bringing her unique visual perspective to the novel's visceral descriptions.