Melissa's Reviews > Helpmeet

Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum takes the simple premise of a dutiful wife caring for her dying husband and then ratchets up the tension with grotesque body horror that teeters the story into incomprehensibility.

Ruthnum spends most of the novella detailing Edward’s deteriorating condition, lingering on his missing appendages, hollowed out body, and decaying flesh. It evokes the acute horror anyone caring for a dying loved one has experienced, as terror and helplessness struggle to the surface.

Set in 1900, the calamity Louise must face is contextualised by her economic and social position in society. Louise Wilks is just as dependent on her husband’s reputation and wealth as he is on her care, and in both cases it is a losing battle; Edward will die, and Louise will fall.

But Helpmeet concocts a bizarre synthesis for them as it introduces further disturbing elements to the story. It’s definitely an acquired taste as it hurtles to its disorientating conclusion, but at 85 pages, it doesn’t overstay its welcome.