logo

52 pages 1 hour read

What Moves the Dead

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 2022

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
T. Kingfisher

What Moves the Dead

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

177

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

France • 1890s

Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In T. Kingfisher's novella What Moves the Dead, nonbinary soldier Alex Easton travels to the countryside to aid childhood friends Roderick and Madeline Usher, who are suffering from debilitating illnesses. As Easton investigates, ka encounters bizarre fungi, eerie hares, and unsettling truths about the Usher family, ultimately revealing the dark influences affecting their mental and physical health. The book includes depictions of death by suicide.

Mysterious

Dark

Unnerving

Suspenseful

Fantastical

Reviews & Readership

4.1

89,766 ratings

71%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

T. Kingfisher's What Moves the Dead captivates with its eerie, atmospheric horror and rich storytelling. Readers admire its dark humor and vivid reimagining of Poe's classic. However, some critique the pacing and predictability. Overall, it's a gripping read that balances Gothic elements with modern sensibilities.

Who should read this

Who Should Read What Moves the Dead?

Fans of gothic horror and atmospheric storytelling will relish What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher. Ideal for readers who appreciate the eerie worlds of Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson, this novella blends chilling suspense with dark fairy-tale elements. Perfect for those who enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House or The Fall of the House of Usher.

4.1

89,766 ratings

71%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Alex Easton

A former Lieutenant in the Gallacian Army known for ka nonbinary gender presentation and pragmatic approach, who serves as the objective and reliable narrator encountering mysterious events.

A pale, anxious man with blond hair, who shares a deep bond with his twin sister, Madeline, and whose health reflects the pervasive decay of the Usher family estate.

The thin and pale twin sister of Roderick, whose mysterious illness plays a crucial role in the events unfolding at the Usher house, with a distinctive covering of fine white hair as a key symptom.

A tall, broad woman with a masculine appearance and scientific authority, who provides crucial information about fungi and challenges traditional gender roles with her feminist perspective.

A tall, lanky retired army doctor with silvering hair, striving to assist Madeline despite limitations in medical expertise and offering support through shared military experiences.

Easton’s batman with a Scottish brogue, who brings a supernatural perspective to the unfolding mystery and provides levity through his comedic demeanor and interactions.

Book Details
Pages

177

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

France • 1890s

Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.