Book Review: Cackle
Author: Rachel Harrison
Publisher: Titan Books
2022
Genre: Adult Fiction
Pages: 315
Date Read: July/August 2024
Main Characters:
Annie Crane (Recently single teacher)
Sophie (Intriguing elder lady who lives by herself)
Blurb:
All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her long-time boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching job that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. Her new home is picturesque and perfect. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is lovely too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation.
The Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the town seems… a little afraid of her. And, okay. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power… but she couldn’t be… could she?
My review:
The story pretty much lives up to the blurb. In fact, I think that it’s almost a bit of a pity just how much of the story the blurb gives away. That said, if stories of women regaining their power and confidence mixed with mysterious magical elements and a sisterhood nostalgia are your thing, then you are in for a treat! For someone who grew up watching the likes of ‘Sex and the City’, it’s wonderful that the story starts off in Manhattan, New York with a friend’s night out. It helps to set the idea of the stark contrast that the main character Annie faces with her impending move. Lacking self-confidence, she seems to all too readily accept the breakup with her partner and dread things to come. The transformation that we see in her throughout this book, whilst she does have the odd setback, is inspirational and will be very relatable for many.
The catalyst for this change? Look no further than the other main character and protagonist ‘Sophie’. From the outset it is clear that she is no ordinary individual. She holds a power and a wisdom far beyond her initial appearance. I really appreciate the fact that the author chose to give her a relatively normal and well recognisable name as opposed to choosing something unusual and/or cliché. If anything, I think that it certainly helps to add to the air of mystery and has the reader questioning if there is really something more to her or not. From a pagan perspective her aloof personality, reverence of nature and respect for animals are wonderful to behold. I do, however, think that the book does play on a few ‘witchy’ stereotypes a bit too much at times to the detriment of the story. The ideas of glamour magic and things not always being as they seem are heavily played upon. In some cases, it is a fun ‘mick take’ of common misconceptions which adds some delightful humour. On other occasions the author tries to induce fear into the reader and suggest possible plot twists which sometimes seem tedious. Sophie’s ostracization by members in the community is something which many in witchcraft/pagan circles will recognise and sympathise with. The story becomes quite turbulent towards the end as Annie struggles to decide if Sophie is someone whom she wants to trust and continue a friendship with or not.
My lasting impression of the book is one of warm nostalgia, comedy moments, and comradery. The book is fast paced whilst still being easy to read and dip in and out of.
Star rating: 4.5 out of 5.
