NPR's Book of the Day In 'Idle Grounds,' a pack of children searches the woods for their missing cousin
Feb 20, 2025
In this engaging conversation, author Krystelle Bamford dives into her novel 'Idle Grounds,' which captures the eerie essence of New England Gothic. She shares insights from her own childhood that influenced the story of cousins searching for a missing sibling. The discussion highlights the interplay of innocence and darkness, as the children navigate their enchanting yet foreboding surroundings. Bamford also explores nostalgia, using the metaphor of eggs to illustrate the fragility of childhood and the complex emotions tied to familial relationships.
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New England Childhood Inspiration
- Krystelle Bamford's novel, Idle Grounds, is inspired by her childhood in New England.
- She recalls the feeling of freedom and creating a "child society" while playing in the woods.
New England Gothic
- In Idle Grounds, the children's world turns sinister, blurring the lines between imagination and reality.
- The novel explores New England Gothic, where darkness underlies the surface of the adult world.
Narrative Voice
- The narrator in Idle Grounds shifts between a single child's perspective and a collective "Greek chorus" voice.
- This reflects how intuitive children are while having limited understanding, capturing their emotional complexity.
