Heather Parry, whose novel Orpheus Builds a Girl carved a distinct niche in contemporary gothic fiction, returns with Carrion Crow, released on February 27, 2025. Parry’s knack for blending unsettling themes with profound emotional resonance feels even sharper in this latest work.
Carrion Crow draws readers into the stifling atmosphere of a Chelsea townhouse, where Marguerite Périgord is confined to the attic by her mother, Cécile. Cécile fears Marguerite’s engagement will disrupt their carefully maintained facade of respectability. As Marguerite’s focus on her own physicality intensifies, a claustrophobic tension builds, revealing the hidden secrets each woman holds—secrets that threaten their fragile world.
Carrion Crow explores themes of familial confinement, the complexities of identity, and the unsettling power dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship. Initial comparisons to Ottessa Moshfegh and Leonora Carrington aren’t just flattering; they highlight Parry’s ability to craft a haunting, visceral, insightful, and deeply poignant experience.
To mark the release of Carrion Crow, we spoke with Heather Parry about the book’s origins. In our interview, she unpacks the unsettling truths that drive her work—the challenging aspects of motherhood, the often-complicated bonds between mothers and daughters, and the powerful, sometimes subversive role of sexuality. Notably, Parry also discusses her fascination with technology, a subtle presence in her fiction, and reflects on the gothic influences that shape her narrative style, before offering a glimpse into her upcoming project. Parry also discusses her fascination with technology, despite its deliberate absence in her fiction. She prefers to explore narratives outside of the present day or future, and reflects on the gothic influences that shape her narrative style, before offering a glimpse into her upcoming project.
Words by: Howard Gorman
