The Marigold by Andrew F. Sullivan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

One of my favourite books of 2023!

This book is perfect for readers who love Emily St. John Mandel and Guillermo del Toro. The prose are beautiful on a backdrop of grotesque horror. I can not say enough good things about this book other than read it. Especially if you currently, or ever lived in Toronto, there is another layer of magic to it.

The book follows many different people who all live and work in Toronto, as a black mold slowly starts to take over the city's buildings. The characters are fascinating to follow as they navigate a city in chaos. Slowly we start to see connections between the people, places and information as the mold continues to grow and change. There is no third act lag which you usually find with atmospheric books like this - which is a gift itself.

One of my favourite quotes, "A true human scream behind them finally, then a guttural shuddering sound, like a new god being born from an old would reopened, pulled out in one piece and set free in these capillary tunnels, the stream of the city itself."

Also there's a racoon that keeps showing up through the book. which was honestly one of my favourite parts to read.

Although I received this book from NetGalley and ECW Press (thank you!), I'll be purchasing this book when it's out and gifting it to all the twisted beautiful souls I know.

This book is best read on public transportation, while wearing a mask and occasionally making direct eye contact with racoons.