Thorns by Gregory Bastianelli is a terrifying story that shows the tricky balance of three key elements; work and family, horrific pain and beauty, and hope and hopelessness.
You guys… this book broke me.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Thorns by Gregory Bastianelli –
When a horrific disease called Thorns breaks out, Dr. Monica Cucinotta, who works at a local hospital is determined to help everyone she can, even when the risks are high. One day the thing she dreaded most happens and she becomes infected herself. Not willing to risk infecting her husband and young child at home, she begins to sleep at the hospital, hiding the fact that she herself has thorns while she continues to help as many patients as she can.
When she’s found out, she’s let go and then begins her very long and dangerous journey back home.
I finished typing that little summary, then had to sit and take a deep breath. This book hits like a series of gut punches.
First we have the plot point of the absolutely terrifying disease itself. Totally new. Highly contagious. Brings severe pain. Incurable. That death sentence alone is a huge fear, but everything else that comes with it is just extra horrific.
Then we have the family element. Being unable to go to her husband and young boy… that just broke me every single time it was brought up. I’m so glad I read this mainly while my kiddo napped, so I was near him. I kept needing to hug him or just have him close. Many scenes and passages made my heart feel like it was breaking.
But the horrors didn’t stop there. The timeline of this story is very short, but my goodness the things that are packed in here…
My Favorite Passages from Thorns –
Beds filled as soon as the dead relinquished them and the movement of bodies in and out of the hospital was as fluid as the tides.
But Monica wondered if the pain of the thorns could be any more intense than the ache of knowing she might never be able to hold her child again.
No one took precautions, she thought. No one expected this to happen to them.
It’s as if the pandemic gave justification for modifying the rules of normalcy.
“Host. Sounds like someone throwing a party.” “I didn’t mean it like that.” She felt offended. He looked at her with a smile. “But it’s true. It is a party. With death as the guest of honor. And we’re all invited.”
I’ve dealt with death many times, she thought, but have never felt the weight of a coffin.
My Final Thoughts on Thorns –
The body horror mixed with grief horror is such a powerful combination. Like the deadly disease within these pages, this book will prick your skin and leave you forever changed.
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Thanks for reading!
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