Book Review | A Fig For All The Devils by C.S. Fritz

Sonny, a 13-year-old boy neglected by his mother and grieving his dead father has pretty much given up on life. Until he meets the Grim Reaper. And he wants Sonny to be his successor. Through his lessons in death and letting go, he gives Sonny something unexpected: a reason to live.

what does misery feel like? Yes, yes I understand there are feelings of immense unhappiness with it, or wretchedness. But, what does it really feel like?

Is it the feeling of drowning while breathing?

A Fig For All The Devils reminds me of the darkness of the Grimm’s fairy tales, where the horrors of abuse and poverty are juxtaposed with the otherworldly elements of fantasy. It reads like a bedtime story but with slashes of graphic violence that reminds you that maybe there are no happy endings.

I thought the story is unique and surprisingly humorous, with the character Grim Reaper a particular standout. He smokes cigarettes, eats junk food and recites poetry. He makes wisecracks as he demolishes a hamburger, but he can also shift into terrifying forms. His curious, heartwarming relationship with Sonny is my favourite part of the book. I liked the exploration of death and the feeling of existential crisis in every discussion the Reaper had with Sonny. I enjoyed the moments when Sonny has to rise to the occasion in order to fulfil the Reaper’s request. The scenes are suspenseful and filled with stunning images. Moths, porcelain and sand somehow become unnerving.

Sonny himself is a heartbreaking character starving for his mother’s love. She is busy with her new boyfriend, who is a straight-up villain. Sonny also meets his new neighbours Jess and her father, Pastor Abraham. They are dealing with Jess’s mother’s illness, with some harrowing scenes. While the story hits the mark on grief and death, I thought it could have done better in portraying abuse. Sonny’s behaviour is framed as being difficult and what happened to him is brushed aside. I wish the book had explored that angle further, and show that even loved ones can be toxic. So even though I enjoyed the book, I didn’t particularly love the ending.

A Fig For All The Devils is a peculiar horror book that would appeal to fans of dark fables with a touch of humour. I must highlight the creative design on the pages, plus there’s an accompanying Spotify playlist to get you in the mood!

CW: suicide, child abuse, domestic violence, animal abuse

I received a digital copy from the author for review purposes. 

About the author: C.S. Fritz

Photo by José Ignacio García Zajaczkowski