We Spread
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
| Website | www |
We Spread is a 2022 literary novel authored by Canadian writer Iain Reid. It was released in the United States on September 27, 2022, through Scout Press, and shortly after, on September 29, 2022, in the United Kingdom by Scribner UK—both divisions of Simon & Schuster. Blending elements of psychological thriller and horror fiction, the narrative focuses on an elderly woman residing in an assisted living home where reality proves deceptive.
Plot summary
Penny, an aging artist, lives independently in her apartment following the death of her partner. After suffering a fall, her landlord relocates her to Six Cedars, an assisted living facility they supposedly arranged together—although Penny cannot recall consenting to this move. Six Cedars occupies a mansion built in 1843 and houses only three other residents along with two staff members. Initially resistant to the change, Penny gradually comes to value the enhanced care and social interaction but soon experiences disorienting time shifts, memory gaps, and alterations in her surroundings. Confined within the facility and wary of the director’s motives, Penny begins to doubt the authenticity of her environment.
Background
The concept for We Spread began as a screenplay conceived during Reid’s involvement with adapting his earlier novel Foe into film. While originally designed with cinematic visuals in mind, Reid decided to rework it into a novel format to delve further into character development. He stresses that the story does not explicitly address dementia but is instead filtered through Penny’s artistic lens, leaving interpretation open-ended for readers.
Reid’s personal visits to his grandmother in long-term care settings informed the thematic direction of the book. Although Six Cedars differs from actual facilities he observed, his intention is to shed light on elder care issues and confront societal anxieties related to aging and mortality.
Designed by Chelsea McGuckin, the book cover strikes a balance between allure and unease, mirroring the novel’s atmospheric tone. Reid commended the artwork for its interpretive openness, which complements the story’s inherent ambiguity.
Reception
In a starred review, Publishers Weekly described We Spread as an "exquisite novel of psychological suspense." Despite Penny’s role as an unreliable narrator, which leaves several uncertainties unresolved, the book "feels complete" and delivers a memorable exploration of "fears about growing old and losing control."
Steven W. Beattie from the Toronto Star observed that the fragmented and minimalist prose reflects Penny's surreal painting approach, with expansive white space symbolizing memory loss and confusion. He lauded how subtly surrealism parallels dementia themes and noted that although it tackles weighty subjects like aging and death, the novel "never feels lugubrious or preachy."
Robert J. Wiersema offered a starred review in Quill & Quire, calling We Spread "powerful and puzzling," comparing its dreamlike storytelling to Robert Aickman’s "The Hospice." He emphasized Penny’s vulnerability alongside Reid’s poetic use of line breaks, underscoring that this is not a traditional mystery but rather an immersive narrative experience. Wiersema praised this ambiguity as a bold narrative choice requiring readers’ trust.
Conversely, Kirkus Reviews provided a more critical perspective, labeling the story "creepy" yet lacking subtlety. Apart from Penny, other characters function mainly as devices delivering ominous lines that heighten tension within the facility. The review likened its tone to a horror film overly concerned that viewers might miss its message and noted that while Reid’s earlier works were "taut, original thrillers," We Spread does not maintain that standard.
The novel earned a place on the shortlist for the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction at the 2023 Governor General's Awards.
Film adaptation
In February 2022, nearly seven months prior to the release of We Spread, the film rights were secured by Anonymous Content. The movie will be helmed by director Minhal Baig and produced by Kerry Kohansky Roberts, with the screenplay co-written by Baig and Reid.
External links
- We Spread at Simon & Schuster
- We Spread at Fantastic Fiction