These two novellas are unexpectedly brainy, and they threw me off guard at first. But once I shook off my stupidity, I was completely enraptured by both of the stories.

I actually can’t believe there is a contemporary author who is so adept at capturing Victorian gothic in this day and age. This book reads as though it were written over a century ago. I can’t even wrap my head around it. Byatt’s pose is lyrical yet pointed. Her beautifully crafted sentences are backed by so much cultivated intelligence that every line is worth highlighting.

The second novella (the “angels” half of “Angels & Insects”) isn’t even a horror story, but it spooked me so badly that I washed my hair in the bath instead of taking a proper shower.

I would like to read this again one day when I am more educated.

(Do not read the content warning if you don’t wish to be spoiled.)