HOLLOW by Taylor Grothe
A searingly real story of autistic identity that slips into a tense folk horror thriller in the woods.
Pre-Reading Thoughts:
I went in drawn by Cassie’s authentic autistic voice and the promise of eerie folk horror. Curious to see how those threads would weave together.
Post-Reading
As I thought… The portrayal of sensory overload and Cassie’s inner world is sharp and immersive — sometimes almost painfully so, in the best way.
It surprised me by… Shifting into folk horror. The Roost, the crows, the isolating wilderness: atmospheric and tense, but it felt like a hard pivot from the intimate first act.
Music Pairing:
🎵 Featured Song: “Climbing Up the Walls” – Radiohead
🎶 Vibe Album: Hospice – The Antlers
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Chelsea Wolfe
Vibe Check:
Colour Palette: Silver-grey storm clouds, black feathers, autumn rust
Soundtrack: Crows, cracking branches, uneasy quiet
Season: Late autumn, on the cusp of winter
Mood: Disoriented but searching for connection
Scent: Damp moss and campfire smoke
Tarot Pull:
Apprentice of Paws (Witch’s Cat Tarot / Page of Pentacles)
A cloaked cat stirs a bubbling cauldron, surrounded by books and scrolls, adding rosemary, basil, and dandelions — symbols of clarity, resilience, and balance. Sweet at first glance, but hints at hidden danger. Mirrors Cassie’s autistic journey: experimenting with living authentically, learning, and balancing her inner and outer worlds.
For fans of:
Our Wives Under the Sea – Julia Armfield
The Ritual (2017)
