Review: Come Closer by Sara Gran

Sara Gran’s Come Closer is a masterclass in brevity, proving that horror doesn’t need sprawling narratives or intricate subplots to leave a lasting impression. At just under 200 pages, this novel wastes no time diving straight into the haunting spiral of Amanda, an architect whose life begins to unravel as she becomes the target of a demonic force.

What makes Come Closer such a standout in psychological horror is its restraint. Gran doesn’t rely on gory theatrics or over-explained lore. Instead, the novel is a stark, unrelenting portrayal of a descent into madness, with a voice so sharp and precise that it cuts straight to the bone. Amanda’s inner monologue is disarmingly relatable—granular details about her work life and marriage contrast starkly with the mounting supernatural chaos, grounding the story in a stark, uncomfortable realism.

The demonic presence, Naamah, is introduced subtly at first, through unexplained noises, strange occurrences, and Amanda’s increasingly uncharacteristic behavior. The beauty of Gran’s writing is in how these events escalate; the shifts are small, almost imperceptible, making Amanda’s transformation feel like it could happen to anyone. It starts with impulsive actions—a snide comment, an uncharacteristic bout of cruelty—but soon Amanda’s reality crumbles, leaving readers questioning what’s real and what’s not.

Gran weaves a thread of ambiguity throughout the narrative. Is Amanda truly possessed, or is she simply succumbing to a latent psychological disorder? This duality forces readers to confront their own fears: is evil an external force, or does it come from within? The lack of definitive answers makes the story linger in your mind long after you’ve closed the book.

Personal Take

Reading Come Closer felt like stepping into a nightmare you can’t wake up from. I found myself uncomfortable in the best way possible—Gran’s sparse, almost clinical prose doesn’t allow for any breathing room. There’s a suffocating intimacy in Amanda’s descent that feels all too familiar, as if the story is poking at those dark corners of your own mind you’d rather ignore.

One of the most striking moments for me was the repeated tapping sound Amanda hears in her apartment. It’s such a mundane yet eerie detail that gets under your skin. It reminded me of how effective subtle horror can be—Gran knows exactly how to exploit the ordinary and turn it into something sinister.

While the book is undeniably unsettling, what hit me hardest was its exploration of self-sabotage. As Amanda’s life falls apart, it’s hard not to draw parallels to how we sometimes let destructive habits take root, almost willingly. It’s this human element that elevates Come Closer beyond a simple possession story—it’s a meditation on the fragility of identity.

If I had one critique, it’s that the story ends almost too quickly. Gran’s minimalist style works brilliantly, but I found myself yearning for just a bit more depth in Amanda’s relationships, especially with her husband, Ed. The cracks in their marriage are apparent, but exploring them further could have added even more emotional weight to Amanda’s transformation.

Key Themes

Loss of Identity: At its heart, Come Closer is about losing control over who you are. Amanda’s descent into possession mirrors the gradual erosion of her personality, making readers question what defines us—our choices, actions, or something deeper. The theme explores how fragile our sense of self can be when challenged by internal or external forces.

Ambiguity of Reality: Gran blurs the line between the supernatural and the psychological. Is Amanda truly possessed by Naamah, or is she experiencing a mental breakdown? This ambiguity invites readers to confront their own perceptions of reality and the reliability of the narrator.

Inner Demons and Self-Sabotage: Amanda’s possession begins with small acts of rebellion against her own life—cruel comments, impulsive decisions, and growing dissatisfaction. These moments feel disturbingly relatable, highlighting how self-destructive tendencies can creep into everyday life, whether caused by external forces or buried desires.

Isolation: As Amanda becomes more consumed by the demon, her relationships deteriorate. Her inability to connect with her husband and others emphasizes the isolating nature of her experience, a common thread in psychological horror.

The Power of Unseen Forces: Whether demonic or metaphorical, the story explores how unseen forces—trauma, suppressed emotions, or literal possession—can exert control over our lives. Gran examines the ways we unknowingly open doors to these influences.

Domestic Dread Much of the horror in Come Closer is rooted in the mundane—familiar settings like Amanda’s apartment or workplace become tinged with unease. The book transforms ordinary life into a source of terror, reflecting how even the most comforting environments can become alien and threatening.

Free Will vs. Control The novel questions whether Amanda has any agency in her actions. Is she a victim of possession, or are her darker impulses simply surfacing? This theme explores the tension between free will and external control, leaving readers to grapple with where responsibility lies.

Repression and the Unconscious Mind Amanda’s slow unraveling suggests that the demon may be an extension of her repressed desires and emotions. The story taps into the Jungian concept of the shadow self—those parts of us we suppress but cannot escape.

Fear of the Unknown The demon Naamah is never fully explained, which amplifies the terror. Gran leans into the fear of the unknown, letting readers fill in the gaps with their own anxieties.

Writing Style

Sparse and Minimalist Prose. Gran’s writing is concise, with a sharp, almost clinical precision. She avoids unnecessary embellishments, allowing every word and sentence to carry weight. This minimalist style mirrors the protagonist’s descent, creating a sense of inevitability and dread as Amanda’s life unravels. The lack of excess gives the story a relentless, suffocating pace.

First-Person Perspective The story is told entirely from Amanda’s point of view, immersing readers in her internal experience. This creates an intimate, almost voyeuristic connection to her unraveling mind. The first-person narration heightens the ambiguity, as readers are forced to see the events through Amanda’s unreliable lens, never fully sure if what she perceives is real.

Ambiguity and Subtlety. Gran excels at leaving things unsaid. The supernatural elements—such as the demonic possession—are never over-explained, maintaining a sense of mystery and unease. This subtlety invites readers to draw their own conclusions, deepening the psychological impact of the story.

Blending Mundane with the Supernatural. Gran masterfully weaves moments of the surreal into Amanda’s ordinary life, making the supernatural events feel disturbingly plausible. The stark juxtaposition of normalcy and horror amplifies the unsettling tone, making the reader question where reality ends and the supernatural begins.

Psychological Intimacy.Gran’s prose often delves deeply into Amanda’s thoughts and emotions, capturing her inner turmoil with raw honesty. This psychological depth makes the story feel deeply personal and relatable, even as Amanda’s experiences grow more extreme.

Structure

Short, Pacing-Driven Chapters. Come Closer is divided into brief chapters that propel the story forward quickly. This structure mirrors Amanda’s growing loss of control, as her life seems to spiral faster with every page. The brevity keeps the tension high, compelling readers to keep turning pages.

Linear Narrative with Escalating Tension The story unfolds chronologically, tracking Amanda’s gradual descent into possession. Each chapter builds on the last, with small, almost imperceptible changes in her behavior escalating into full-blown chaos. This steady progression makes the story feel grounded and believable.

Interjections of Dark Humor Gran occasionally breaks the tension with moments of sardonic humor, often delivered through Amanda’s inner monologue. This dark wit adds a layer of humanity to the character while underscoring the absurdity of her situation.

Dreamlike Transitions Certain scenes blur the line between reality and hallucination, creating a dreamlike quality that disorients the reader. These moments are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, reflecting Amanda’s mental state as she loses her grip on reality.

Climactic, Open-Ended Resolution The novel ends ambiguously, leaving readers with lingering questions. The open-ended conclusion mirrors the themes of identity and control, forcing readers to grapple with the possibility that Amanda’s fate could have been her own doing—or entirely beyond her control.

Overall Effect

The style and structure of Come Closer work hand-in-hand to create a deeply unsettling reading experience. Gran’s minimalist prose and tightly wound pacing ensure that every moment feels immediate and urgent. By focusing on Amanda’s inner world and leaving so much to interpretation, Gran allows the true horror to unfold in the reader’s mind, making the novel linger long after its haunting conclusion.

Verdict

Come Closer is a haunting gem of psychological horror. Its taut prose and relentless pacing make it a quick read, but its themes and imagery will stick with you for days. If you enjoy stories that leave you questioning reality and confronting the darkness within, this book is an absolute must-read. For me, it was a chilling reminder that sometimes the scariest monsters are the ones we invite in.

Recommended Reads for Fans of Come Closer

If you enjoyed the chilling, minimalist horror of Come Closer, here are a few other unsettling reads that share similar themes of psychological unraveling, ambiguous reality, and creeping dread.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

A psychological thriller that explores silence, secrets, and the fragility of the mind. The story follows Alicia Berenson, who shoots her husband and never speaks again, and Theo Faber, the psychotherapist determined to unravel her mystery. Like Come Closer, it dives into the complexities of identity and the hidden darkness within.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

This Gothic classic explores isolation, family secrets, and the thin line between sanity and madness. The story centers on Merricat Blackwood, her sister Constance, and their mysterious lives after the deaths of their family members. Shirley Jackson’s eerie, understated style is perfect for fans of Gran’s atmospheric horror.

The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun

A claustrophobic and haunting tale of grief and guilt, this Korean psychological thriller follows a paralyzed man recovering from an accident and his increasingly hostile caregiver. Its slow-burn dread and exploration of inner turmoil echo the tension found in Come Closer.

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

A complex and multi-layered horror novel, House of Leaves dissects reality, perception, and the terror of the unknown. The story of a family whose home is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside feels like an existential cousin to Gran’s demonic possession tale, with its emphasis on unraveling sanity.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca

This novella is a visceral, disturbing exploration of relationships and obsession. Written as a series of emails and chats, it shares the same intense, uncomfortable intimacy as Come Closer, drawing readers into a nightmarish spiral of codependence and manipulation.

Experimental Film by Gemma Files

This modern ghost story combines history, folklore, and personal torment. A struggling filmmaker discovers a lost silent film that seems to hold a sinister force tied to her family. Fans of Come Closer will appreciate the blend of psychological and supernatural horror, with an unreliable narrator at its heart.

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

Tremblay’s exploration of possession, family dynamics, and media sensationalism is a perfect follow-up for readers intrigued by the ambiguity of Amanda’s story. A Head Full of Ghosts keeps you questioning whether the horror is supernatural or psychological until the very end.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

While not a traditional horror novel, The Bell Jar delves into the haunting experience of mental illness and the collapse of identity. Its raw, intimate voice and exploration of psychological descent pair beautifully with Gran’s work for those seeking something equally unsettling on a human level.

Each of these books shares the same core strength as Come Closer: they terrify not just through external forces but by exposing the fragility of the human mind. Dive into any of these for another taste of fear that will linger long after you close the cover.

Rating: 5/5

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