What’s worse—knowing the truth or living in illusion?
Honestly, sometimes illusion feels like a soft blanket you don’t want to throw away. The truth can hit hard, shake everything, and leave you dealing with things you weren’t ready for. But an illusion? It lets you breathe, even if it’s temporary.
I feel like knowing the truth is heavier… but living in illusion has its own quiet danger—you get comfortable in something that isn’t real.
So yeah, truth hurts, but illusions can slowly trap you. And sometimes, we still choose them… just for a little peace.
Name of Book: The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts
Author: Kim Fu
Publisher: Tin House / Zando Projects
Publication Date: Mar 3, 2026
No. of Pages: 240
Format: Netgalley DRC
In the aftermath of her mother's death, Eleanor is unmoored. For years, her mother orchestrated every detail of her life—from meals, to laundry, to finances—so that Eleanor could focus on her career as a therapist. Left to navigate the world on her own, Eleanor clings to her mother’s final directive: use her inheritance to buy a house.
Desperate to obey her mother one last time, but finding few options she can afford, Eleanor impulsively buys a model home in a valley-turned-construction site, a picturesque development steeped in a shadowy history. It feels like a fresh start, until the rain comes—an endless, torrential downpour. As water seeps in through the house’s cracks, the line between what is real and what is not begins to blur. Haunted by the stories of her clients, a stream of workmen and bureaucrats she can’t trust, and visions of ghosts from her past and present, Eleanor’s reality unravels, and she is forced to reckon with the secrets she’s buried and the dark choices she’s made.
My Opinion
The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts by Kim Fu is a deeply thought-provoking psychological horror that explores the complexities of the human mind rather than relying on traditional scares. The story feels haunting in a quiet, unsettling way, focusing on the emotional and mental struggles a person endures. Eleanor’s character stands out as the heart of the book—her loneliness and inner turmoil are portrayed with striking depth. You can almost feel the darkness surrounding her, page after page. The moments of despair are raw and impactful, making the story linger long after it ends. It’s a subtle yet powerful exploration of psychological horror.
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