"A thought-provoking and compelling modern day story of toxic masculinity and murder sitting as a retelling of the fairytale, Bluebeard."
May 2025 Debut of the Month
A powerful and provocative story where the narrator uses a fairytale to explain a current story of abuse and violence. Different versions of Bluebeard exist, featuring a manipulative predator of a man who has murdered each of his wives when they fail to abide by his warning.
The narrator of Sour Cherry is surrounded by ghosts who listen to this version of the tale, keeping ever-present company yet offering warning. This is not a comfortable read, it covers themes of toxic masculinity, plague, and murder.
Men as well as women have fallen foul of this monster of a man. Author Natalia Theodoridou writes with a knowing pen, opening windows to understanding as they encourage a never-ending cycle that creates a destructive energy. I felt as though I was one of the ghosts, I so wanted to hold out a hand and prevent the story that circled around me.
The entwined themes of ancient and modern, fairytale and reality, love and abuse, continued to hold in my minds-eye even as the story drew to a close. Gothic horror sits centre stage, yet it is the relevance of this novel to today that creates such impact. Unsettling and emotional, Sour Cherry is a lingering cautionary tale that has been chosen as a Debut of the Month.
A debut novel as emotionally poignant as it is fiercely smart, Sour Cherry is an arresting debut examining toxic masculinity through its chorus of women - deconstructing the idea of what makes someone a monster.
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A debut novel as emotionally poignant as it is fiercely smart, Sour Cherry is an arresting debut examining toxic masculinity through its chorus of women - deconstructing the idea of what makes someone a monster. Something terrible has happened.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Sour Cherry and determined it is suitable for children aged 15-18 years old
Sour Cherry features in the following genres: Featured Books for Young Adults, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Horror & Ghost Stories, Romance / Relationship Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Hardback. Not Available.
Sour Cherry was written by Natalia Theodoridou and published by Wildfire an imprint of Headline Publishing Group
Sour Cherry has 320 pages
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