Chills at Her Living Cry

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Pub Date 30 Oct 2024 | Archive Date 22 Feb 2025

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Description

When her husband goes off to fight during World War I, a pregnant woman is left on her French farm to care for the animals, with only the help of an elderly farmhand and a mysterious 12-year-old boy.

There is also a mare which is about to foal. When tragedy strikes, the woman becomes obsessed with the newborn horse. A local priest suggests she's insane, and the boy thinks the foal is evil. Perhaps they are both right.

A decade later, in a Paris apartment, the farmhand tells a young journalist the story about what really happened on that farm.

When her husband goes off to fight during World War I, a pregnant woman is left on her French farm to care for the animals, with only the help of an elderly farmhand and a mysterious 12-year-old boy.

...


Advance Praise

"St. Jarre plays the English language like a finely tuned instrument, weaving his tale with suspense, elegance and magic." -Erica Heller, author of Yossarian Slept Here and editor of One Last Lunch: A Final Meal with Those Who Meant So Much to Us

"St. Jarre plays the English language like a finely tuned instrument, weaving his tale with suspense, elegance and magic." -Erica Heller, author of Yossarian Slept Here and editor of One Last Lunch:...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781645995722
PRICE US$5.99 (USD)

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Average rating from 4 members


Featured Reviews

Kevin St. Jarre’s Chills at Her Living Cry is an evocative novel that delves into the haunting interaction of isolation, obsession, and the human mind's fragility, set against the backdrop of World War I-era France. The story follows a pregnant female, deserted via her husband who leaves for conflict, as she navigates lifestyles on a farm with most effective an aged farmhand and a mysterious boy for guide. Her fixation on a newborn foal bureaucracy the core of a story that blurs the boundaries between truth and delusion.

Pros:

Rich Atmosphere: St. Jarre’s vibrant descriptions of the French nation-state and the eerie tone of the farm create an immersive reading experience.
Layered Storytelling: The twin timeline, with a farmhand recounting events years later, adds intensity and maintains the reader engaged.
Psychological Depth: The protagonist’s descent into obsession is dealt with with nuance, making her a complicated and compelling person.
Themes of Trauma: The novel explores the effect of struggle, isolation, and grief with sensitivity.
Cons:

Pacing Issues: Some sections experience slower, specifically in the course of the protagonist’s inner reflections.
Ambiguity: While the open-ended elements add intrigue, a few readers may find the shortage of resolution frustrating.
St. Jarre’s prose is both poetic and unsettling, drawing readers into a world of quiet despair and lingering mystery. The narrative’s awareness on mental anxiety makes it a standout in ancient fiction. However, its slower moments may additionally project readers in search of a extra motion-pushed plot.

In conclusion, Chills at Her Living Cry is a superbly written, idea-scary novel that leaves an enduring impact. It is a have to-study for lovers of atmospheric, character-pushed tales that assignment the bounds of truth.

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