”I am bad I think I am bad”

Sometimes a book feels too intimate to review. But I’ll try. This is a beautiful novel-in-prose about “vampirism.” Vampirism can easily be replaced by mental illness, self-harm, addiction, or it can act as a substitute for struggles with sexuality, gender identity, or trauma.

The writing is angsty and moody, and a little confusing at first. But once you wrap your head around the poetic style, Immy’s story unfolds in an engaging, haunting narrative.

I was struck by the heavy emotional weight that carried across the pages. The shame, guilt, and repression is pervasive. Immy falls into obsessive love, which stirs up fear and panic.

And when it comes to Claudia, the intimacy and tenderness is… beautiful. There is stillness and patience and caring. And I really liked that. The story made me feel and reminded my of my younger self, the one who tried to box up all my inner selves and hide everything away from the world. 🥲