Unknowing, I Sink: a strange and horrifying novella

Timothy G. Huguenin presents a novella that aligns with the unsettling traditions of Aickman and Ligotti. The narrative follows Julian, who accepts a summer position cleaning a mansion for Mr V, an eccentric recluse devoted to arcane knowledge. Mr V suffers from a grotesque condition that leaves him swollen and bedridden. His presence is compounded by creepy terra cotta statues that lurk in the shadows of the estate. The employer offers payment far exceeding Julian's expectations, yet the work takes a psychological toll. As Julian attempts to comprehend his boss's discursive monologues, he experiences a dreadful ache within his chest. The blank stare of the statues begins to cloud his mind, blurring the line between observer and observed. The story examines how esoteric philosophies can become manifest in terrifying ways. Award-winning author Nick Roberts describes the work as a gelatinous pit of abject horror. This novella suits readers who appreciate strange and unsettling fiction rooted in gothic and supernatural traditions. It may not appeal to those seeking conventional plot structures or clear resolutions. The text relies on atmosphere and psychological dread rather than action. Julian's struggle to understand his employer drives the narrative toward a horrifying discovery regarding the secrets hidden within the mansion.