Diavola

Anna has only two rules for the annual Pace family destination vacations: Tread lightly,and survive. It isn’t easywhen she’s the only one in the family who doesn’t quite seem to fit. Her twin brother Benny goes with the flow so much he’s practically dissolvedand her older sister Nicole is so used to everyoneΓÇöincluding her blandly docile husband and two kidsΓÇöfalling in line that Anna often ends up in trouble for simply asking a question. Mom seizes every opportunity to question her life choicesand Dadwhen not reminding everyone who has paid for this vacationjust wants some peace and quiet. The gorgeousremote villa in tiny Monteperso seems like a perfect place to endure so much family togethernessΓÇôincluding Benny’s demanding new boyfriend (itΓÇÖs Christophernot Chris). That isuntil things start going off the railsΓÇôthe strange noises at nightthe unsettling warnings from the local villagersandohthe darkviolent past of the villa itself. Jennifer Thorne skewers all-too-familiar family dynamics in this slywickedly funny vacation-Gothic. Beautifully unhinged and deeply satisfyingDiavola is a sharp twist on the classic haunted house storyexploring lonelinessbelongingand the seemingly inescapable bonds of family mythology. (Warning: May invoke feelings of irritationdreadand despair that come with large family gatherings.)