Summary of Himself: A Novel by Jess Kidd

Dive into the whimsical world of 'Himself' by Jess Kidd, where ghosts, humor, and family secrets collide in a quirky Irish village.

Welcome to the whimsical, eerie, and sometimes downright ridiculous world of Himself by Jess Kidd. Buckle up, because we're diving deep into a narrative that feels like a love letter to the weird and wonderful, where ghosts are real, and the living might as well be wearing costumes from a Halloween party gone wrong.

Our story centers around the not-so-ordinary protagonist, Mahony, a young orphan who decides to embark on a quest to uncover the mysteries of his past. Spoiler alert: he wasn't just left on the doorstep of an orphanage like a poorly wrapped Christmas gift. He's on the hunt for his mother, a woman shrouded in secrets, who seems to have disappeared into thin air. Sounds easy, right? Just a straightforward mother search! Well, not quite.

Mahony's journey leads him to the quaint (and very strange) Irish village of Mulderrig, where the locals treat him more like an alien than a long-lost son. Here, the dead aren't quite dead, and they certainly have opinions. Yes, you guessed it - Mahony has a peculiar ability to see and communicate with the ghostly gang that lingers in the shadows. And let's just say, they are not shy about giving him unsolicited advice. Their ghostly critiques on his life decisions, while entertaining, also bring a whole new meaning to the term "family drama."

The narrative takes a twist - or maybe a spin - as Mahony uncovers the chilling truths about his mother's past and the village's bizarre traditions. The residents of Mulderrig are hardly the welcoming type, each with their quirks and dark secrets to hide. Picture this: a town where everyone knows everyone's business, and when it comes to scandal, they can serve it like a fine Irish stew-thick and simmering with juicy bits.

As Mahony untangles the web of deceit and eeriness, we're treated to even more colorful characters, including the legendary and slightly unhinged inhabitants of this village. You'll meet a cast of misfits so odd they might as well be auditioning for a reality show titled "The Ghosts of Mulderrig."

Amidst the chaos, Mahony grapples with his identity, love, and the often-bleak understanding of family, all while navigating the bizarre relationships he develops-not just with the living, but with the dead too. The humor here is rolling in like the fog over an Irish moor-thick, enveloping, and occasionally uproarious.

So, what's the big takeaway? Life-and death-are never as straightforward as one might hope. If you fancy tales of mystery, a dash of the supernatural, and characters that feel like they've stepped out of a bizarre fever dream, then Himself is your ticket to a wild ride. Just remember to keep an open mind and an even wider sense of humor; you're in for some ghostly shenanigans that will haunt you long after you turn the last page.

In conclusion, Jess Kidd serves up a delightful cocktail of tragedy, dark humor, and the supernatural, ensuring that you won't just read Himself-you'll experience it, complete with all its twisted charm.

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.