Capsule Review Archive – We Are All Completely Fine by Daryl Gregory
This review originally appeared on Goodreads on October 23, 2021.
We Are All Completely Fine
By Daryl Gregory – Tachyon Publications – July 21, 2014
Review by Robin Marx
This brief novel (novella?) is about a group therapy circle where all the participants are sole survivors of supernaturally-tinged massacres. One patient was partially consumed by cannibals, another escaped from a cult that inscribed every inch of her flesh with occult scars, another was held captive by a deranged otherworldly killer that carved macabre artwork into her bones. They meet on a weekly basis, each searching for solace and companionship, but their fragile steps towards peace are halted when the past catches up to one of their members.
This is a fast, fun story with an interesting premise. However, I felt like it selected and followed up on the least interesting plot thread. I found Greta’s story the least compelling of any of the survivors’, and the book suffered in the second half when it made that the central focus. There was so much good stuff hinted at in the other characters’ pasts, and I would have rather liked to learn more about pretty much any of the other characters than Greta.
This story is still worth reading, but it felt like a great premise squandered.
★★★☆☆
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