We Spread by Iain Reid

Author: Iain Reid
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Genre: Psychological Horror, Fiction
Year of Publication: 2022
Date of Publication: September 27, 2022
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 1982169354
ISBN-13: 978-1982169350

Our Rating of This Book

Summary of We Spread by Iain Reid

We Spread follows Penny, an elderly woman who moves to a mysterious assisted living facility after living alone for years.

At the start of the book, Penny is living alone in an apartment. She has been in the apartment for a couple of decades. But since her partner, Art, passed away, she has since had trouble living alone. She used to be an artist and painter and we learn through flashbacks about her experiences. But after her partner passes, she sort of loses her appetite for life.

One day, while changing a light bulb, she loses her balance and falls. Her landlord, who was in the habit of checking on her, finds her. He tells her that she needs to move to the assistant living facility Art had arranged for her to move to before he passed away. Although Penny has no memory of the arrangement or the place in question, she agrees.

The facility itself is very small, with only four residents, including Penny. The other residents are Jack, Ruth, and Hilda, each with their own interests. Jack enjoys puzzles and intellectual challenges. Ruth finds solace in playing the cello and music. Hilda is physically active and loves swimming. The facility is overseen by Shelly, the caretaker, and Pete, an assistant who helps manage daily life.

There are some loving moments between Penny and the other residents.

As strange events begin to unfold, Penny questions her grip on reality and the intentions of those around her.

Main Plot & Characters

The narrative centers on Penny, whose quiet life is disrupted when she moves to a new home that promises care and community.

She soon suspects that the facility holds dark secrets, prompting her to explore her past and confront her fears about aging.

Key Themes

Aging and Mortality: The story explores the fears and insecurities associated with growing old.
Isolation and Loneliness: Penny’s struggle with loneliness adds a haunting depth to her psychological journey.
Reality and Perception: The novel questions the reliability of perception, especially in moments of vulnerability.
Dependency and Autonomy: Penny’s battle for control over her life highlights the tension between independence and dependence.

Writing Style

The story is told from Penny’s perspective. She has a fragmented memory and what Reid does to let us know that she is missing time or possible mis-remembering, is to have other characters say so. This puts the reader in a position where you are continuously questioning how reliable Penny is as a narrator.

Reid uses a slow-building suspense that reflects Penny’s fears. As a reader, you experience Penny’s fear and sometimes the horror of ageing and being alone.

The book is one of those that you read and immediately want to read again to see what you initially missed now that you have read the ending.