We Spread

Written by Iain Reid

Narrated by Robin Miles

Penny, an artist, has lived in the same apartment for decades, surrounded by the artifacts and keepsakes of her long life. She is resigned to the mundane rituals of old age, until things start to slip. Before her longtime partner passed away years earlier, provisions were made, unbeknownst to her, for a room in a unique long-term care residence, where Penny finds herself after one too many “incidents.”

Initially, surrounded by peers, conversing, eating, sleeping, looking out at the beautiful woods that surround the house, all is well. She even begins to paint again. But as the days start to blur together, Penny – with a growing sense of unrest and distrust – starts to lose her grip on the passage of time and on her place in the world. Is she succumbing to the subtly destructive effects of aging, or is she an unknowing participant in something more unsettling?

At once compassionate and uncanny, told in spare, hypnotic prose, Iain Reid’s genre-defying third novel explores questions of conformity, art, productivity, relationships, and what, ultimately, it means to grow old.

‘I loved this book and couldn't put it down – a deeply gripping, surreal and wonderfully mysterious novel. Not only has Reid given us a brilliant page turner, but a profoundly moving meditation on life and art, death and infinity. Reid is a master’ Mona Awad, author 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl and All's Well
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio UK
• Release date: Sep 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398513877

Iain Reid

Iain Reid is the author of four previous books, including his New York Times bestselling debut novel I’m Thinking of Ending Things, which has been translated into more than twenty languages. Oscar winner Charlie Kaufman wrote and directed the film adaptation for Netflix. His second novel, Foe, is being adapted for film, starring Saoirse Ronan, with Reid cowriting the screenplay. His latest novel is We Spread. Reid lives in Ontario, Canada. Follow him on Twitter @Reid_Iain.

Reviews for We Spread

[Katie Rowe · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was such a confusing book. I feel for the main character because it must have been so confusing for her. But at the same time there seemed to be something more sinister happening there that wasn’t explained.

[Jayarna La Bozzetta · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this was super creepy. I had a hard time following but I believe that was the point. the whole mental state of the character was confusion and not being able to understand what was real. the feeling of danger was so frightening and it just made my heart ache so much