Out in August of this year, Getaway by Zoje Stage has been described as “cinematic”, “terrifying” and a “thrill-ride”. And guess what? They’re not wrong! Every superlative used to talk about this book is ON POINT. As someone who loves thrillers, reading this book was wonderful. I felt like my heart was in my throat. My body was twitchy and uncomfortable, as if it was me in the Grand Canyon, being stalked like a deer in the woods. That kind of visceral experience is rare, and a testament to how good Stage is at character development, interior voices, landscape, atmosphere and pacing.
In other words, a total master class.
In Getaway, two sisters, Imogen and Beck, and their old friend Tilda, are setting out for a hiking trip of the Grand Canyon. After repeated traumas, Imogen has retreated inside of herself and rarely leaves her apartment. Seeking to help her sister, Beck organizes the trip, which is reminiscent of backpacking excursions they’d go on as children with their parents. Tilda, an American Idol alum and Instagram star, is not Imogen’s favourite person – they grew apart after an incident in University – but she’s determined to make a fresh start.
As the women make their way out into the arid wilds, old tensions threaten to disrupt the fragile peace they’ve made. Imogen notices that their things begin to disappear and that odd items dot the red earth. She can feel that they are being watched. But by who? And what do they want?
When the answers to those questions become clear, the women descend into horror. A cat and mouse game of survival, that will seemingly only end in blood.
Stage surprised me with the ending. Truly feminist and brilliant, it filled my cup in every possible way. 5 enthusiastic stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
doves falling 