Tripping Arcadia: A Gothic Novel

Tripping Arcadia is a deliciously twisted gothic novel with a sapphic subplot that leaves the reader dazed and delirious in the most wonderful way. Mayquist is stunning in their rendition of the standard gothic plot; think Masque of the Red Death meets Jane Eyre splashed with a tinge of proletariat revenge. The novel follows Lena, a med school dropout with a background in medieval poisons thanks to her academically inclined Italian aunt. After fruitlessly searching for employment to help her struggling working-class Bostonian family, she lands a position with the famously wealthy Verdeau family to aid in taking care of the mysteriously ailing oldest son, Jonathan. The plot is an almost non-stop fever-dream full of glittering and elaborate parties for the wealthy and debauched, deadly familial subterfuge, righteous revenge, and ultimately death. This novel is incredibly difficult to put down and does not disappoint with its many twists and turns before revealing a most satisfying conclusion. Unlike many other novels in this genre that tend to resort to queerbaiting, the sapphic subplot to the story is genuine and refreshing.