Insomnia has its perks and curses. Sure, the midnight oil burns longer when sleep eludes you, which means there’s plenty of time to read new books. Yet, that elusive rest often leaves you with the dreaded brain fog, akin to waking up after a wild night of debauchery—sans the actual debauchery, of course. Instead of clutching a toilet bowl, I'm sitting here, jittery from coffee, desperately trying to pen down these thoughts. So, buckle up and enjoy!
Let’s delve into Split, a horror novel penned by Sarah McKnight-I, an author I hadn’t encountered until now. Apparently, she has another book called Carousel that’s gained some traction in the horror community. I’ll admit, I picked up Split solely based on its cover, which screams bad early '90s direct-to-VHS rental—a guilty pleasure for nostalgia lovers like me. There's something enjoyable about bad horror flicks, except for those recent ones that miss the mark entirely—they just don’t have the same charm.
The story revolves around Holly Doyle, a recently separated mother of two, who dreams of giving her children a semblance of normalcy after the upheaval of her divorce. When she finds what seems to be the perfect house to rent, a wave of relief washes over her, signaling a fresh start. But, as is often the case in horror, things are not what they seem. The ancient house has its quirks: a basement door that refuses to stay shut, a family cat reacting to unseen terrors, and Holly’s young son exhibiting behaviors that raise red flags bigger than a bull at a rodeo.
As Holly and her children settle into their new home, a sinister shadow stretches over their lives, threatening to snuff out hope. Can Holly unravel the dark mystery that has haunted the house for over a century, or will her son meet a fate similar to those who came before him? One thing is clear: Holly is a mama bear on a mission, ready to claw through hell itself to protect her children.
Now, let’s talk horror. Some recent reads crank up the scares to the point of predictability, but Split takes a different approach, leaning into the psychological terror with the occasional sliver of the supernatural. It delves into heavy themes—the loss of a child, the heartache of divorce—and does so with finesse. Reviewers have likened Split to The Babadook, a film I haven't seen but have definitely heard of. I get the comparison, but if I were to liken Split to something, it would be a made-for-cable movie destined to garner a cult following in decades to come. On the surface, the plot may seem generic—and yes, it has its clichés—but McKnight cleverly chooses to take it slow, focusing on the psychological and emotional aspects. This allows the reader to form a connection with Holly and her kids right from the outset. Once I connect with a character, I can’t help but zip through the pages, which is precisely what happened with this book.
Overall, I found Split to be a solid read. It’s not without its flaws, and while it won’t earn a spot on my “perfect reads” list, it certainly left an impression. If you’re in the mood for a chilling read, grab a copy, [*] dim the lights, and let yourself be drawn into its spine-tingling embrace. Happy reading! ╌★★★★✰
〜B.J. Burgess
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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess