Several characters narrate the book, but the main two are Fran and Beth, two trans women trying to survive the post-apocalyptic world. With this Manhunt book review, I’m shifting the focus a little bit-I want you to be sure you’re fully prepared to read it, if you so choose. Normally when I write about a novel I’ve just read, my job is to explain to potential readers why I think it’s worth their time. It doesn’t sugarcoat these experiences, and there’s something truly refreshing about that.
It will be extremely triggering for some people.īut if you can stomach the carnage (and there’s no shame if not), Manhunt offers an opportunity for real discourse when it comes to intersectionality related to feminism, sexuality, and gender identity, in addition to racism and fatphobia. You’d think the feral men would be enough of a distraction, but these women can’t leave trans and non-binary people alone, either. The real antagonists are TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists), which means we see horrific and often violent transphobia throughout the novel. They’re more like zombies-mindless beasts intent on raping and consuming those “lucky” enough to survive the virus. While it’s true that the feral men are a constant threat, they’re not the only ones. If you don’t, well, let me just say this book isn’t for everyone. If you like your horror intensely graphic and brutally honest, you’ll find a lot to love here. Felker-Martin isn’t afraid to create complex, unlikable characters and put them into dangerous and difficult situations. Manhunt is a scathing look at the collapse of society, and it pulls no punches. She’s been dubbed the “filthcore queen” by the Anomaly Journal of Arts and Literature, and I think there’s no better description of her writing style.
This may be Gretchen Felker-Martin’s debut novel, but let me tell you-she makes an impression. Not only that, but Manhunt would put a focus on the people typically ignored in situations like this-trans people. While the idea of a virus-infested world isn’t exactly novel (or unrealistic), this one specifically targeted people with higher levels of testosterone. I have a thing for found families, I don’t mind a little body horror, and I’m always interested in queer stories. When I first got the pitch for Manhunt, it was described as an “examination of gender biases and binaries in horror” set against a “splatter-punk background” and all about the importance of found family.Īs someone who still considers herself new to horror, I was excited to delve into Manhunt and experience something different. This Manhunt book review takes a look at the visceral post-apocalyptic horror novel centered around the trans experience.
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