The devil made her do it

So this week, I took a day off to accompany one of my kids to a half-day of appointments and as usual, I brought along a book to keep me company. The book was Come Closer, by Sara Gran, and is a short novel about a woman whose radical behavior changes lead her to believe she has been possessed.

Amanda is a successful professional in a healthy-seeming marriage. Her life seems to be stable. There doesn't seem to be a clear catalyst for this sudden change in the main character's behavior at the beginning of the novel. She isn't fired from her job, she doesn't catch her husband cheating. She doesn't attend a seance, play with a Ouija board, or touch a cursed object. She is visited in a dream by what she remembers as her imaginary friend from childhood. In a scene out of a bad trip, she meets the friend - Naamah - on the shore of a literally red sea. This dream encounter changes everything. It's like a switch flips and Amanda suddenly begins acting on her intrusive thoughts. At first, she seems a bit amused by it - gaslighting her boss and fighting with her husband over things she would normally tolerate. But as her "possession" gets deeper and deeper, her behavior becomes increasingly bizarre and violent. She eventually regrets that she allowed the demon to possess her only after it's too late to reverse it.

What really interests me about Amanda and this novel is what it says about female autonomy. When Amanda allows Naamah to possess her, is it because she needs an excuse to give in to her darker desires? Does she lack the strength to stand her ground with her spouse or boss? She is at least aware of what might be happening, as she makes half-hearted attempts to exorcise the demon. But her lukewarm attempts seem to stem from a disbelief that this is really happening - and perhaps, outright denial. She seems to like how she feels at first and is loathe to give it up. What would I do in her place? Would I enjoy my newfound give-no-f**ks attitude? Would I allow it to completely change me as an individual?

My own interpretation is that this book suggests that female empowerment is more complex than we often portray it. That demons are still demons, regardless of what appealing promises they might make. And that finding your voice and your strength should not come at the cost of your soul.

I found this novel to be terrifying, heartbreaking, and about as close to perfect as a horror novel can get!

Not sponsored, but for those interested the link to purchase is below:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/come-closer-sara-gran/10569614?ean=9781641295246