Writtenyes: Matthew Barber
Girl on a glider is a ghost story by Brian Keene. It is a metafiction in which the author is the protagonist. Metafiction, in a nutshell, is a type of postmodern fiction that often uses irony and self-reflection to blur the line between fiction and reality. In this example, the narrator is haunted by the ghost of a girl who died in a car accident in his front yard. Keene has no idea who the girl is or why she is there, but her presence begins to take over his waking and unconscious thoughts. Eventually, both must face the reality they have escaped from.
Like most works of metafiction, this Girl on a glider is a self-reflective narrative that takes a deep and serious look at his own life. It provides an in-depth look at how Brian Keen constructed his own story and the pressure he was under as he constantly tried to achieve his goals. There is no glitz and glamour in this book, but rather a man struggling with his finances and family obligations.
According to Keen himself, the story is 99% true. Where the story devolves into fiction is revealed in the afterword, and proves to be the most heartbreaking plot in this relatively short novella.
Some people think this Girl on a glider represents Keene’s best work to date. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but for fans, the chance to get inside the mind of one of their favorite horror writers is undoubtedly appealing. Keene makes readers feel right at home while diving into personal feelings and revelations.
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score: 4/5
