An intriguing news article about an upcoming film adaptation made me discover Bones And All. Seeing that Call Me By Your Name’s director, Luca Guadagnino. It was working with Timothée Chalamet again instantly caught my attention. Add to that the exciting cast, including Taylor Russell, André Holland, and Mark Rylance. And the fact that it was hitting theaters in November 2022. I couldn’t resist diving into the novel. What unfolded was a bizarre mix of horror and supernatural vibes, with a distinctly YA feel that kept me hooked.
The story’s twisted narrative, following a cannibal-on-the-run, wasn’t just strange. It was outright demented. Certain parts of the book had my stomach turning, yet I couldn’t stop reading. The elements of suspense and dark themes were masterfully woven, leaving me strangely glad I had picked it up. It’s rare to find a story that balances unsettling moments with such raw human emotion. But this one managed to leave an unforgettable impression.
A Dark and Gripping Tale of Maren Yearly
The story of Bones & All follows a 16-year-old named Maren Yearly, a character as unforgettable as she is haunting. Maren is an “eater,” someone who eats people, driven by a dark compulsion triggered by a peculiar personality trait—their affection for her. Whether it’s the slightest hint of fondness or care. She finds herself consumed by an uncontrollable urge, often leading to the horrifying act of tearing flesh and stripping bones in a monstrous act of devouring. The book offers a deeply visceral display of cannibalism, painted with such raw detail that it feels simultaneously grotesque and captivating.
Yet, the novel’s brilliance lies in its deeper layers. Maren’s gruesome cravings act as a literal metaphor for the growing pains of adolescence. When raw emotions can overwhelm and spiral out of control, making one feel as though they might lose themselves entirely. The journey is both terrifying and oddly relatable, capturing the intense chaos of youth with a touch of dark camp, which somehow lightens the heavy undertones. Camille DeAngelis crafts a unique coming-of-age tale that compels readers to confront their own vulnerabilities while navigating Maren’s twisted reality.
Tale of Hunger and Humanity
Maren, a girl grappling with an unusual affliction, is left to fend for herself after her mom abandons her on the day after her sixteenth birthday. Her uncontrollable, primal urges for eating people have forced her. And her mother to uproot their lives every few months, leaving her struggling to find a sense of control.
Alone, she embarks on a journey to locate the father she has never met, hoping to uncover answers about why she is the way she is. Along the way, the novel explores the emotional pain and the gross ups and downs of confronting one’s identity, adding a mysterious layer to her story.
As Maren searches for her true self, she faces a bone-chilling nemesis, experiences moments of potential love, and encounters other “eaters,” who hint at a paranormal world beneath the surface of her existence. The book cleverly balances cool revelations with the intense, hand-in-hand pain of self-discovery. Every interest and decision she makes deepens the narrative’s emotional pull. The author’s thoughtful approach weaves a story where themes of identity, control, and belonging are richly added, creating a tale as haunting as it is unforgettable.
A Gripping Yet Restrained Narrative
Camille DeAngelis crafts a story that feels both raw and haunting, yet she avoids diving into the gory details that might overwhelm readers. Following Maren, a young girl grappling with her unsettling appetite. The novel examines how she and others across the country confront this peculiar affliction. Rather than indulging in gratuitous shocks. The author demonstrates a remarkable restraint, maintaining a deliberate distance in her prose, as though she’s holding the reader at an arm’s length. This approach might not work for everyone, but for me, it really works and adds an eerie sophistication to the story.
Despite the heavy themes, the novel remains a surprisingly quick read. I found myself both engrossed and slightly queasy, caught between the suspense and the weight of Maren’s struggles. The narrative keeps you hooked, and yes, it has its light moments too—a clever line here or a sly nod there that made me chuckle, even prompting a mental ba-dum-TSS. For fans of introspective, unsettling fiction, I’d highly recommend giving this book a chance.
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