PLOT & PACING:
The novel opens with the disappearance of a woman and a mysterious outsider with an unusual gift—but after the first chapter, the story shifts entirely to the quiet, enigmatic community of Pastoral. That shift is jarring—but intentional. What unfolds is a slow unspooling of truth and perception, as the cracks in the community begin to show and its residents start to question what’s real. The pacing is deliberate, and the payoff? Absolutely worth it. If you struggle a little after that first chapter, you’re not alone. Stick with it and you’ll thank me later.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
The heart of this novel is its characters. Ernshaw does a remarkable job creating people who feel both haunted and hopeful—especially as they grapple with the weight of their shared illusions. The relationships are nuanced, the internal conflicts sharp, and their arcs deeply satisfying. You may not agree with their choices, but you’ll understand them.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
Ernshaw’s prose is rich and atmospheric, conjuring a forest that feels alive with both beauty and menace. As a child of Appalachia, I can appreciate a good woodsy novel. It’s a book that hums with mood. Pastoral is as much a character as the people in it, and that eerie, creeping tension never fully lifts. While the writing leans descriptive and dreamlike, it’s never indulgent—it keeps you grounded even as reality begins to blur.

THEMES & DEPTH:
This is a story about belief. What happens when we’re told a lie long enough that it becomes the truth? About how secrets, especially the ones meant to protect, can fracture a community. Without spoiling anything, the book’s central twist reveals just how much control can be hidden inside comfort, and how dangerous a story can be when no one’s allowed to question it.

PERSONAL TAKE:
At first, I wasn’t sure where it was going. That first chapter sets you up for a very different book. But once I settled into Pastoral, I was hooked. The mystery is less about who did something and more about why we believe what we do. It reminded me of The Village in all the best ways (sans creepy pig monsters) but it goes somewhere deeper and more affecting. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves character-heavy thrillers with a thread of the surreal.