The Glass Abattoir

Matthew Kinlin’s The Glass Abattoir presents a neo-gothic narrative that draws direct inspiration from Ingmar Bergman’s 1972 film Cries and Whispers. This novella tracks the haunted trajectories of four central figures: three sisters and their maidservant. They wander through a mansion defined by blood, moving across crimson rooms beneath glass clocks that tick on the walls. The text balances ethereal imagery with macabre realism, creating a hallucinatory yet terrifyingly grounded experience. Kinlin guides readers into the depths of the human soul through this specific architectural and psychological landscape. The work is organized around these four lead characters as they manage their shared trauma within the house. It suits those interested in gothic fiction and supernatural themes who appreciate atmospheric storytelling rooted in cinematic history. Readers seeking fast-paced action or traditional horror tropes may find the slow, psychological focus less appealing. The novella functions as a study of grief and isolation, using the mansion as a vessel for internal turmoil. Kinlin’s approach relies on visual motifs like the glass clocks to mark the passage of time and memory. This structure supports the neo-gothic tradition while honoring Bergman’s cinematic influence. The book is published by Dfl Lit and released in February 2023.