Everything Under

Daisy Johnson's 'Everything Under' is a mesmerizing and disquieting reimagining of the Oedipus myth, set against the brooding backdrop of England's canals. Sixteen years have passed since Gretel severed ties with her enigmatic mother, a lifetime spent suppressing the wild, unconventional memories of her childhood. Yet, a single phone call shatters her carefully constructed peace, compelling her to return to the waterways and confront the past she desperately tried to outrun. As Gretel delves back into the murky currents of memory, she unearths forgotten fragments: the unique, secret language she shared with her mother, the strange, elusive boy named Marcus who became part of their isolated world during a fateful winter, and the persistent, chilling legend of a creature said to inhabit the depths below. Johnson expertly blurs the lines between reality, folklore, and psychological suspense, leading Gretel deeper into a labyrinth of family secrets, ancient prophecies, and the devastating, tragic truths that shape identity and destiny. This Booker-shortlisted novel is a haunting exploration of motherhood, language, and the monstrous shadows that cling to our origins.