Leon Craig's new novel The Decadence, a queer haunted house story, has been criticised for failing to deliver genuine scares. The book follows a group of privileged university friends who retreat to a country house inherited by one of them, indulging in drugs and sexual encounters. Despite the promising setup, the narrative struggles with shallow characterisation and overwrought prose.
The story is told from the perspective of Jan, a self-loathing PhD student whose romantic preoccupations become tedious. Dialogue feels inauthentic, and political arguments appear forced. The writing is laden with excessive adjectives and adverbs, leaving the reader feeling overwhelmed rather than immersed.
Craig attempts to explore themes of historical trauma and antisemitism, but these elements remain superficial. A scene involving a threesome with an antisemitic ghost is described as the point where the author 'completely lost' the reviewer. The novel's rare moments of genuine horror come too late to captivate.
The Decadence seems influenced by the dark academia trend rather than the psychological complexity of classic gothic literature. While the book has intriguing ideas, it ultimately feels like a collection of vibes rather than a truly chilling tale. The novel is published by Sceptre at £18.99.
