I sat down to listen to the first few chapters of this, get a feel for the narrative style, see how Machado is as an audiobook narrator, with every intention of putting it aside to really dive into later. Instead, I blew through the first half with a combination of anxiety and rapt fascination. When I sat down with the second half about an hour later, I didn't even realize I hadn't moved until I hit 91% and that's the mark of a damn good story.

I've read some of Machado's work before. Delightfully queer and creepy and lyrical but also usually very, very weird (and, in my mind, generally not in a good way), her stories stand alone - though I've only read them in fistfuls and collections, which, to my mind, is now how they're best enjoyed. They tumble over each other and trip you up with their jagged edges and their totally unique brand of weird. IN THE DREAM HOUSE takes this same gorgeous lyricism and amplifies the sense of disconnect and channels it towards a single narrative that I think really exemplifies Machado's skill and strength as a writer.

There's a candidness to the whole thing that makes these chapters (more like vignettes) feel like a loosely connected / hastily compiled recording of a series of eloquent drunk late-night confessions and anecdotes. She draws you in with these swirling phrases and cutting lines, snaring you in this terrible/beautiful trap with the simple choice of a second-person pronoun. Sprinkled with quotes from stories of abuse, queer stories, nerd culture references, scenes transcribed word-for-word from Alice in Wonderland, memories out of order, and a whole lot of her own self, Machado's story drags you to its inevitable not-end (even addressing my personal issue with most memoirs and nonfiction without a clear resolution - how do you end?).

A hauntingly beautiful and TRUE story of an abusive relationship; I honestly cannot recommend this one enough.