What were most victories if not the world allowing chaos and purpose to be fleetingly the same thing?

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A Unique, Atmospheric Tale

We Are All Ghosts in the Forest by Lorraine Wilson is an enchanting, slow-burn story set in a post-apocalyptic Estonia, where nature has reclaimed much of her territory after the collapse of the internet, and the forest is hungry for vengeance. In this world, people must grow their own food and protect their territories from various threats while making trades to obtain what they need. Most significant, though, are the ghosts—remnants of a time before, with their woeful, repeating images and sounds, searching for somewhere to call home and sometimes infecting people, leading to a horrific death.

The book artfully blends of speculative fiction, literary depth, and folk elements in a futuristic fashion. It’s a dark fairy tale with both timeless and distinctly modern concerns. This isn’t just a tale about surviving in a dystopian world but about overcoming loss and loneliness. It’s a story about reclaiming your story and your magic. This is a story that is less about fast-paced action and more about introspection, hidden heartbreak and quiet yet relentless courage.

The ghost’s voice murmured in her memory, ‘You are drowning, you are burning,’ like a ticking clock, like the steps of a dance.

A Strong FMC (Female Main Character)

Katerina, the mixed-race protagonist with Indian and Estonian heritage, embodies themes of belonging and identity. Her appearance and heritage play pivotal roles in the story, as they shape how she navigates the world and how others perceive her. Katerina is a self-taught herbalist, drawing on the handwritten knowledge of her beloved baba and adding to it through trial and an innate intuition that only someone who answers to their calling possesses. Her resilience shines through her secret fragility, which she guards fiercely with anger and distance. Stubbornness adds layers to her character, making her feel both real and relatable. Her self awareness was admirable, despite the barriers she put up to protect her heart.

“Better by far to maintain a distance than to think you belonged only to discover it was a lie.”

An Immersive World

Wilson’s talent for world-building is showcased through the detailed and beautiful descriptions of the settings. I was enchanted by Katerina’s witchy, earthy life – her herbal remedies, her communication with bees, and her deep connection with nature. The level of detail was incredible. I felt wiser after reading. The book whispers encouragement that compels you to ground yourself in nature. I had a strong urge to run to the woods and go foraging after reading this! I closed the book feeling as though I had learned about herbs—not just their practical uses, but their deeper meanings and symbolic power.

An Inclusive Cast

Along with the well-envisioned world and layered main character comes a strong and varied supporting cast. Elisabet, Katerina’s autistic friend, brings a grounding energy that smooths Katerina’s rough edges. With her keen observations, nurturing presence, and skill in baking delicious bread, Elisabet is a character I found endearing. Their friendship is unconventional in its comfortably wide boundaries, yet it is perfectly balanced and sweet.

The boy Katerina brings home, Stefan, is silent but speaks volumes through gestures and actions. Although I occasionally found the descriptions of his gestures hard to follow, their meaning was always woven into the narrative, and the connections he built with those around him were pure and wholesome.

And then there is the ghost cat, who I am certain will be everyone’s favourite. Lastly, if you weren’t already fond of bees, this book will leave you with a newfound admiration for them.

“There are no limits, she thought, to the human heart’s capacity for courage.”

Themes of Belonging and Bravery

It seems that I am on a roll with the theme of belonging and home – in fact that was the name of the book in my last review (check it out here). Belonging and found family are two elements in a book that I never tire of, and I was surprised and delighted by the Wilson’s approach here.

The story’s exploration of human nature is thoughtful and profound, highlighting mob mentality, fear-driven behaviours, and how kindness can be an act of courage and rebellion. There were some observations that were so raw and vulnerable that they left me in contemplation long after I finished reading.

A particular moment in the book commented on the nature of difference and how visible and other differences can impact people in various ways. One particularly striking observation encapsulates this: “You make yourself normal and you are a big man, so people don’t say to you what they say to others. But we can’t make ourselves normal, and we aren’t all big, white men. If you don’t fit, you are always on the edges, and the people on the edges are the first ones to get […] shut out.” I don’t think this is a message that is easy to deliver without being potentially polarising, but it is a valid perspective, and prompts readers to consider the complexities of inclusion and exclusion.

A Gradual Build and Emotional Payoff

This book isn’t just about what happens but how it feels to live through it. The narrative’s slow, measured pace allows the tension to build until you’re gently captivated by something both beautiful and unsettling. The emotional engagement intensifies around the 60% mark, where I really started to feel connected to the characters and everything started to come together. And while this did do a number on my heart towards the end, it isn’t all bleak. There are some lighter moments—I couldn’t help but grin every time Katerina told someone to “bugger off.”

Final Thoughts

We Are All Ghosts in the Forest is quietly brave, weaving together literary, folk, and sci-fi elements to create a story that lingers in your mind long after the final page. It celebrates resilience, the power of connection, and the unyielding courage it takes to be kind in a fearful world. For those who are willing to be patient, this book offers a unique and rewarding experience.

Description

Format: Print (UK Hardcover)

Length: 400 pages

Genre: Literary Fiction, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Dystopian

Published: Nov 2024 by Solaris

A quiet, haunting post-apocalyptic novel for fans of The Last of Us and Station Eleven from British Fantasy Award-winning author Lorraine Wilson.

The internet is dead, and its ghosts haunt us all.

When the internet collapsed, it took the world with it, leaving its digital ghosts behind – and they are hungry. Former photojournalist Katerina fled the overrun cities to the relative safety of her grandmother’s village on the edge of a forest, where she lives a solitary life of herbal medicine and beekeeping.

When a wordless boy finds her in the marketplace with nothing but her name in his pocket, her curiosity won’t allow her to turn him away. But haunting his arrival are rumours of harvest failure and a rampant digital disease stirring up the ghosts, and the mood in the village starts to sour.

Accused of witchcraft, Katerina and Stefan escape into the forest, searching for his missing father and the truth behind the disease. If there is a cure, Katerina alone might find it, but first she must find the courage to trust others – because the ghosts that follow her aren’t just digital.