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Deep Dive

I’m trying something new with this review! This book grabbed me and didn’t let go and I thought it deserved a longer, more in-depth look at all of its Gothic glory. Let me know what you think and if you’d like more deep dives in the future!

An Overview

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth is a mesmerizing exploration of queer gothic horror. With a unique narrative structure that weaves together two timelines and a cast of complex characters, Danforth takes readers on a haunting journey through a cursed girls’ school, exploring themes of identity, love, and the power of storytelling.

At the heart of the novel is the Brookhants School for Girls, a remote and sinister institution located in the woods of Rhode Island. The school is infamous for a series of gruesome deaths that occurred in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in two parallel timelines, one set in the past and the other in the present day. In the past, we follow the ill-fated romance between two students, Clara and Flo, whose love defies the oppressive norms of their time. In the present day, a film is being made about the Brookhants tragedies, reawakening the ghosts of the past and revealing the lingering effects of the school’s dark history.

Emily M. Danforth’s writing is both lush and atmospheric, immersing readers in the eerie world of Brookhants. I wanted to crawl into the orangerie myself. The characters are richly developed, and their complex relationships add depth to the narrative. The author’s clever use of footnotes adds an additional layer of storytelling, offering historical context and (often hilarious) commentary on the events of the novel.

Gothic Themes

Setting as Character

Gothic themes permeate every aspect of Plain Bad Heroines. The isolated, decaying school building, surrounded by thick forests, sets the stage for a brooding and ominous atmosphere. Danforth masterfully employs the setting to evoke a sense of dread and isolation, creating a world where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural are blurred. The woods themselves become a character in the story, concealing secrets and horrors that are gradually unveiled as the plot unfolds.

The Past Haunts the Present

One of the central gothic themes explored in the novel is the idea of the past haunting the present. The sins and traumas of the past cast long shadows over the characters in the present day, and the malevolent spirits of Brookhants refuse to rest. This theme underscores the idea that history is never truly buried and that the ghosts of the past can exert a powerful influence on the present. The characters from every timeline are haunted by the stories of the earlier generation.

Sexuality and Forbidden Love

Another key gothic element is the exploration of sexuality and desire in a repressive society. Clara and Flo’s forbidden love story serves as a powerful commentary on the limitations imposed on queer individuals in the early 20th century. Their love is both a source of strength and vulnerability, and it ultimately becomes intertwined with the supernatural forces at play within Brookhants. With almost every named female character presenting as queer, it is a refreshing look at Gothic relationship themes.

Storytelling as Power

Storytelling is a form of power. The characters in Plain Bad Heroines grapple with the stories they tell themselves and others, and how these narratives can shape their identities and actions. The parallel narratives of the past and present highlight the transformative and often destructive nature of storytelling. As the girls lose themselves in a story, we see many layers of this theme come together.

Favorite Line

Eleanor Faderman knew many books. But never before had she read a book that seemed to know her. By that I mean, Readers, to know her in ways she did not yet know herself, could not have named, would likely have denied, even, until Mary MacLane spoke them from her pages.

Emily Danforth, Plain Bad Heroines

Last Words

Plain Bad Heroines is a beautifully crafted comedy-horror novel that delves deep into the heart of queer gothic fiction. I will admit that the ending seemed to get away from Danforth a bit, but I loved the rest of it so much I’m willing to give a little more grace than I usually would with a not-so-satisfying ending. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the darkness that lurks in the shadows of our past and the stories we tell to make sense of it.