Review: Penpal by Dathan Auerbach (Spoiler-Free)

Was looking for an eerie story perfect for a crisp October evening, and this delivered.

Initially a creepypasta series on Reddit, Penpal was expanded into a full novel that spans six chapters—six glimpses into the murky childhood memories of its protagonist.

The writing here is simple, yet effective, as it convincingly conveys the priorities in the mind of a kindergarten student. Because of this narrative style, the slow build of strange events comes off as truly menacing.

We've all looked back on a childhood memory only to realize it was darker than we could have known at the time. A feeling comes over you in that moment, one that screams, How did you miss it?

This whole novel lives in that space. In that dread, that sinking of your heart into your stomach. With each page, each scene, you know that something is buried, but the naïve walls of a six-year-old's brain keep it just out of reach.

Like an old memory, a lot of this story remains ambiguous. That is my favorite style of horror, but I wanted to provide a fair warning to readers who aren't a fan of missing some answers.

If you're looking for a quick, creepy thriller to read this Halloween season, I'd definitely recommend giving Penpal a try.