Chloe Wilson’s Sharp Debut Novel The Thornbacks Is Witty But Long
Chloe Wilson’s debut novel, The Thornbacks, is a sharp, witty exploration of female agency and repressed rage. While the prose is exceptional and avoids common genre clichés, the narrative suffers from pacing issues due to its extended length.
Highlights
- •Chloe Wilson’s debut novel, The Thornbacks, offers a refreshing take on female rage without relying on tired genre clichés.
- •The protagonists, Gertie and Tabitha, are morticians who lead a double life targeting toxic men online.
- •The novel explores themes of codependency, social alienation, and the reclamation of the term 'thornback.'
- •While praised for its sharp prose and wit, some critics suggest the narrative pacing suffers from the book's overall length.
The literary debut The Thornbacks, written by Chloe Wilson, offers a sharp and witty exploration of social expectations placed on women. By avoiding the common, reductive "psycho bitch" tropes often found in contemporary fiction, the novel presents a refreshing narrative. While the prose is undeniably masterful, the book’s overall structure feels stretched, leaving many readers to wonder if the premise would have been better suited for a shorter format like a novella.
Deconstructing the Thornbacks Narrative
The story follows Gertie and Tabitha, two women linked by a blended family background who now navigate the world as morticians. Their lives are characterized by a profound sense of isolation and a deliberate detachment from society. In an attempt to engage with a world they feel rejected by, the pair adopts the identity of a deceased woman named Poppy. They use her photographs to create an online dating profile, specifically targeting men they deem toxic, as an indirect method of seeking vengeance for Poppy, who died under suspicious circumstances involving her boyfriend, Brad.
Chloe Wilson employs a unique narrative voice to emphasize the codependent nature of the two protagonists. Their shared, plural perspective creates a sense of merged identity, highlighting how their personal experiences have rendered them "unlovable" by traditional societal standards. The term "thornback," traditionally used to describe unmarried women, is reclaimed here as a shield, representing a tough exterior developed for survival. Despite the clever premise, the repetitive nature of their actions, such as their bar-based operations and work at the mortuary, can occasionally cause the pacing to stagnate.
Themes of Rage and Ugly Feelings
At its core, the novel examines the concept of "ugly feelings," a term coined by Sianne Ngai, which manifests here as deep-seated, repressed rage. Unlike protagonists in high-octane psychological thrillers who might resort to overt violence, Gertie and Tabitha choose a quieter, more subversive path. They act as low-lying predators, manipulating their targets to cause disorientation rather than physical harm. This approach sets them apart from the stereotypical "crazed killer" archetypes seen in works like Gone Girl.
The conclusion of The Thornbacks intentionally avoids a neat resolution. By leaving key plot points open-ended, Chloe Wilson invites the reader to contemplate difficult questions regarding identity, perception, and the ultimate cost of one’s choices. While the plot may sag in places due to its length, the sharp observations and high-quality prose make this debut a significant contribution to feminist revenge literature. It remains a compelling study of two women attempting to define themselves while remaining firmly on the margins of society.
