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Portrait of a Nuclear Family
Wanda has uncovered a dark secret that could shatter the image of her perfect family. Attempting to force the situation back into the societal framework she’d strived for years to present, events spiral out of control. Secrets threaten to emerge from a carefully suppressed past and become public. To save her family’s reputation, Wanda succumbs to a madness no one could have expected.
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
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January 20, 2023DNF at around 40%
Right from the beginning, I thought the writing style was strange (i thought maybe it was a work of translation because of the sentence structure, but from what I’m able tell it’s not), but I was able to look past that because I’ve heard the book is seriously disturbing and distressing. Unfortunately, I just didn’t feel any tension or mounting dread because I felt nothing for the characters. There was some upsetting imagery, but it was from live animals being tortured and experimented on, which almost always just feels like a low blow to me.
Right around where I gave up, the plot does go in a different direction from what I was expecting, but the characters actions just didn’t feel believe-able to me in the context of what happened.
No rating because it’s a DNF, but this wasn’t for me
Right from the beginning, I thought the writing style was strange (i thought maybe it was a work of translation because of the sentence structure, but from what I’m able tell it’s not), but I was able to look past that because I’ve heard the book is seriously disturbing and distressing. Unfortunately, I just didn’t feel any tension or mounting dread because I felt nothing for the characters. There was some upsetting imagery, but it was from live animals being tortured and experimented on, which almost always just feels like a low blow to me.
Right around where I gave up, the plot does go in a different direction from what I was expecting, but the characters actions just didn’t feel believe-able to me in the context of what happened.
No rating because it’s a DNF, but this wasn’t for me
August 28, 2024
I'm sort of torn on this one. On the one hand, I think it was too long and that some scenes were entirely superfluous and made the story less believable. On the other hand, there's an exploration of how oppressive expectations can cause a profound disconnect from reality and stunted emotional growth with dire consequences on the individual's abilities to perceive and deal with reality which I rather liked and I did like that at one point it completely subverted my expectations.
December 10, 2024
Absolute insanity but beautifully written!
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat for much of it. The horrors it unfolds, the images it so effortlessly plants into your mind. The skill with which this family is portrayed is incredible. I am thoroughly creeped out and absolutely enjoyed this book.
In fact, it is December of 2024 and I am STILL deeply attached to this story. I’ve decided it is, hands down, my favorite book. Was it hard to read? Yes. Would I read it again? Already have. Did I love it? Yes. Was there death. Oh yes.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a brutal mindf*ck that just deepens as you go on. Please, let this be the book that changes your brain. Like me.
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat for much of it. The horrors it unfolds, the images it so effortlessly plants into your mind. The skill with which this family is portrayed is incredible. I am thoroughly creeped out and absolutely enjoyed this book.
In fact, it is December of 2024 and I am STILL deeply attached to this story. I’ve decided it is, hands down, my favorite book. Was it hard to read? Yes. Would I read it again? Already have. Did I love it? Yes. Was there death. Oh yes.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a brutal mindf*ck that just deepens as you go on. Please, let this be the book that changes your brain. Like me.
October 3, 2022
This book was insane . This is the story of Wanda and her husband Charles. They have two children. Wanda finds a dark secret. Charles wants to ignore it and hope it goes away. Wanda just wants to repair her family. I really thought midway I had this book figured out. I did and I didn’t. This book had some really crazy twists. This being the authors debut book I was really impressed. His writing skills are superb and his characters had amazing buildup throughout the book. I highly recommend this fast past read to those who like the dark and somewhat extreme side.
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April 28, 2023DNF @ 40%. Absolutely ridiculous.
September 23, 2022
Wanda's son Nathan has been acting very strange lately, and when she accidentally stumbles upon some very grim and graphic illustrations when cleaning his room, illustrations of dissected animals, she decides to confront him! As if that wasn't strange enough, she follows him into the woods one day and what she discovers him doing there is truly horrifying! Her sanity is at stake, and we watch it slowly and sadly decline….
Then, the unthinkable happens and she seems to become more rational and in control. But the truth is truly disturbing, the meticulousness of the way she tries to cover things up is chilling, as are the dark secrets that are slowly revealed, and the way that she now ends up relying on the one thing that made her hate her own son….
This story absolutely grabbed me from the very beginning. I'm not normally a fan of long chapters (some of these were really long..) but this book was so compelling and had enough going on that it really didn't matter! I read the whole thing in one day anyway!
It was enthralling, mesmerising, eerie, chilling and heart wrenching! Some parts even had me physically holding my breath in anticipation!
There were lots of great, unexpected, dark twists and turns, and the ending was fantastic! Sinister, sad and shocking! Absolutely fantastic!! I can't recommend this book enough!! I also think it would make an amazing movie!! 🖤
Then, the unthinkable happens and she seems to become more rational and in control. But the truth is truly disturbing, the meticulousness of the way she tries to cover things up is chilling, as are the dark secrets that are slowly revealed, and the way that she now ends up relying on the one thing that made her hate her own son….
This story absolutely grabbed me from the very beginning. I'm not normally a fan of long chapters (some of these were really long..) but this book was so compelling and had enough going on that it really didn't matter! I read the whole thing in one day anyway!
It was enthralling, mesmerising, eerie, chilling and heart wrenching! Some parts even had me physically holding my breath in anticipation!
There were lots of great, unexpected, dark twists and turns, and the ending was fantastic! Sinister, sad and shocking! Absolutely fantastic!! I can't recommend this book enough!! I also think it would make an amazing movie!! 🖤
January 21, 2023
After seeing this one rated many times in horror groups, I caved and bought a copy to see what all the hype was about. Phew, this one was a wild ride. Check your trigger warnings, especially for those animal lovers out there. The story just got more bleak and disturbing as it went on, yet I couldn't stop reading. The characters were well written and overall the story went to places I did not expect.
August 21, 2024
Absolute bat shit madness. Just whoa! If you like audiobooks, this one is narrated wonderfully.
I'll be back with my review soon.
I'll be back with my review soon.
January 3, 2023
I can confidently say this is the most twisted depraved book I have ever and will ever read. Could’ve used some additional editing but who cares, this was an insane ride.
July 12, 2023
I know what will save your marriage. It’s definitely taxidermy.
“Portrait of a Nuclear Family” is a wild ride. I want to commend the author for writing one of the most genuinely unhinged and disturbing endings I’ve ever read. Christmas is on par with Halloween for my favorite time of year, and most of the events that build the story happening around Christmas time added a creepy layer of ice to the weird forest antics and disturbing pastimes certain family members like to get into here.
There’s nothing dull about the subject matter. It’s unhinged people doing unhinged things, and the plot rapidly accelerates. It’s probably not going where you think it’s going, and every time it takes a seemingly story breaking turn, there’s a way to make events even more dramatic and extreme than they were before. That part is fun. Seeing how deeply into the insanity we as readers can get lost was a great time, because the insanity doesn’t seem to cease here.
A lot of people have commented that this probably wouldn’t happen in real life. I’m not going to get into that. Maybe it wouldn’t, but the sickest minds of society should not be underestimated. Hearing this on the news would disturb me, but with some of the cases I’ve seen, I don’t know if it would shock me. Also- it’s a book, and it doesn’t have to perfectly mirror reality. Believable or unbelievable usually doesn’t matter too too much to me in the grand scheme of things.
I took more of an issue with the droning. There are really long and graphic descriptors in here of things that are… just, not that interesting if you’re focused and interested on that overall story. While I understand why the descriptions of certain procedures, they go on for a painsteakingly long time and there’s a lot of “telling” rather than “showing.” These parts are pretty well littered throughout the book, typically the second half, and they are…. A slog.
It was a great narrative and a creative idea. If you can cut through all the (in my opinion) unnecessary gunk, there’s a solid, ridiculous story at play here. And the story is one I enjoyed. I’d just be lying if I said I didn’t experience a little bit of fatigue getting to the juicier parts.
Overall, this was a pretty worthy read, and if we’re rounding up it would get a couple points past its three star rating. But I wasn’t interested the ENTIRE time. Most of it, yes. But like I said, there were pretty large portions here that bored me.
But if you want an ending or a family you’re never going to forget, pick this one up.
September 14, 2023
“As the fire ate the paper its contents spilled out, trying to escape the fire. In the center of the charred pile, two large eyes stared out at Wanda. Simon’s purple octopus grinned, mocking Wanda from its hellish end.”
I really struggled reading this story. It’s vile and disgusting and shocking. Some parts were so disturbing I had to take breaks from reading.
It’s such a unique story though, and one that twists and turns, making you feel simultaneously sorry for, and hate for the main characters.
It’s a tale that will stick with me, I’m not sure I’ll ever forget it, despite kind of wanting to….
I really struggled reading this story. It’s vile and disgusting and shocking. Some parts were so disturbing I had to take breaks from reading.
It’s such a unique story though, and one that twists and turns, making you feel simultaneously sorry for, and hate for the main characters.
It’s a tale that will stick with me, I’m not sure I’ll ever forget it, despite kind of wanting to….
February 6, 2023
I admit, I started off not too impressed by this. The plot develops VERY quickly, to the point of straining credulity. There’s also quite a few spelling/grammar errors that also kept interrupting the story’s flow. However, about a third of the way in, the story I thought I was getting takes a surprising and fascinating turn, and the rest of the book was far more successful for me. I ended up reading this in one sitting.
March 10, 2025
A Portrait of a Nuclear Family by J.P. Behrens is the type of horror that you simply cannot pry your eyes off of. Wanda’s obsession with keeping her family “picture-perfect” spirals into something her family could’ve never imagined, leading to an unforgettable Christmas Eve dinner that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
The tension builds perfectly, immersing you in the madness of the moment. To read this story is to witness the fracturing of a human mind. If you love psychological horror with major obsessive elements, look no further than A Portrait of a Nuclear Family. This morbid tale from the mind of J.P. Behrens is disturbing in all the right ways.
The tension builds perfectly, immersing you in the madness of the moment. To read this story is to witness the fracturing of a human mind. If you love psychological horror with major obsessive elements, look no further than A Portrait of a Nuclear Family. This morbid tale from the mind of J.P. Behrens is disturbing in all the right ways.
April 19, 2023
Wow. What a spiral into complete madness. Well written and very detailed.
May 30, 2023
“We need to talk about Kevin” on steroids. Wow.
September 23, 2024
That was.. wow
June 15, 2023
HORRID
This was such a unique breath of fresh air for the horror genre. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t know who to trust.
This was such a unique breath of fresh air for the horror genre. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t know who to trust.
August 23, 2024
This story is crazy, it's kind of hard to put down because it goes from one extreme to the next and your thinking, it can't get any worse, and in comes another twist! Excellent debut 👏
December 17, 2023
3.5
This book is insanity. Violent, deranged and an absolutely horrific and gory read.
Like
- It's somewhat fits our Christmas read theme... just dark, so dark
- Trigger warning at the start of the book was not joking - animal, physical and mental abuse
- You will not known what will happen next
- Unique in idea, very fast paced and the main character will take readers on a wild and unpredictable horror rollercoaster
- If you want to be uncomfortable, this books does it
Dislike
- The writing needs some editing.
- Nearing the end it was dragging and spiraling (perhaps what the author intended but the writing can maybe be improved to explain it more)
This book is insanity. Violent, deranged and an absolutely horrific and gory read.
Like
- It's somewhat fits our Christmas read theme... just dark, so dark
- Trigger warning at the start of the book was not joking - animal, physical and mental abuse
- You will not known what will happen next
- Unique in idea, very fast paced and the main character will take readers on a wild and unpredictable horror rollercoaster
- If you want to be uncomfortable, this books does it
Dislike
- The writing needs some editing.
- Nearing the end it was dragging and spiraling (perhaps what the author intended but the writing can maybe be improved to explain it more)
February 18, 2025
Ya'll this book was amazing. I can't even say much about it without spoiling the main point but trust me on this one....amazing. Wanda, Charles, Nathan, and Simon were once a thriving and happy family but over time Nathan proves to be a bit....different. That being said, Nathan becomes cold, distant and just uninterested while he runs back and forth to the woods multiple days and nights a week. Wanda starts to suspect something is wrong and decides to follow him which turns out to be the worse thing to her. This book is a whirlwind of emotions. HIGHLY recommend this book!
December 5, 2022
It had promise.
The 1st half was quite good. It was believable and kept me engaged. Then it took a very quick nose dive. Not only unbelievable, but silly and tedious to read.
The 1st half was quite good. It was believable and kept me engaged. Then it took a very quick nose dive. Not only unbelievable, but silly and tedious to read.
August 26, 2023
You ever read a book and love/hate it?
One that makes you question your own sanity and forces you to take a reading break?
That's this one.
One that makes you question your own sanity and forces you to take a reading break?
That's this one.
September 4, 2022
Portrait of a Nuclear Family follows Wanda and her husband Charles and their children Nathan and Simon. Everything seems perfectly normal. Wanda is reminiscent of a 50s housewife working hard to keep a clean and organized home, raising the children, and dinner on the table for her husband. Only things really aren’t that simple. Darkness lurks, and it shows itself in more ways than one.
This was an unsettling read. This feeling only grew as the story progressed. We think Wanda is a normal housewife and then tragedy strikes derailing everything, or maybe it exposes who Wanda really is. Either way, this book will not be for everyone. Some parts are hard to get through, but it highlights the true monster that Wanda has become and how her sanity has become non-existent. She will do anything to have her family back together again and she really pushes boundaries, being driven by desperation. Everything must be perfect, and she will see to it that it is.
"Over time, the fantasy of hidden joys and sorrows became her reality".
This was an unsettling read. This feeling only grew as the story progressed. We think Wanda is a normal housewife and then tragedy strikes derailing everything, or maybe it exposes who Wanda really is. Either way, this book will not be for everyone. Some parts are hard to get through, but it highlights the true monster that Wanda has become and how her sanity has become non-existent. She will do anything to have her family back together again and she really pushes boundaries, being driven by desperation. Everything must be perfect, and she will see to it that it is.
"Over time, the fantasy of hidden joys and sorrows became her reality".
June 17, 2023
I'm at a loss for words
This. This was a ride. I just finished and am suffering an extreme book hangover that will stick with me for a good while.
I started this book thinking I had an idea of what I was in for, and next thing I know I'm white-knuckling through a series of hard turns. I was held completely captivated as I squirmed through some truly graphic and difficult scenes.
The writing, the pacing, the mystery...all perfection. I don't give a lot of five start ratings, as I reserve those for books that completely grab me and blow my mind. This is one of them. Holy crap.
This. This was a ride. I just finished and am suffering an extreme book hangover that will stick with me for a good while.
I started this book thinking I had an idea of what I was in for, and next thing I know I'm white-knuckling through a series of hard turns. I was held completely captivated as I squirmed through some truly graphic and difficult scenes.
The writing, the pacing, the mystery...all perfection. I don't give a lot of five start ratings, as I reserve those for books that completely grab me and blow my mind. This is one of them. Holy crap.
August 30, 2024
Norman Bates sprang to mind so many times when I was reading this. I was pretty sure I knew what was going to happen early on, I was wrong. This book was absolutely foul.
This was good until it became silly. When a character continues to get away with crimes and not get into some form of trouble, it becomes unrealistic.
The first part of the book was absolutely brilliant. The middle was a total change, and it seemed more like a repeat of the same to buff the book out.
This was good until it became silly. When a character continues to get away with crimes and not get into some form of trouble, it becomes unrealistic.
The first part of the book was absolutely brilliant. The middle was a total change, and it seemed more like a repeat of the same to buff the book out.
April 27, 2024
Wanda is bat shit crazy yo! her son is a demented psychopath and the story eventually goes to show that the apple does not fall far from the tree at all. Wanda thinks she can 'fix' her family, I'm not so sure, this is a sad and deranged story that is fast paced and entertaining.
July 11, 2023
Finished this one last night. Wow, this book was crazy and I loved every minute of it. Great job, JP 👏
September 10, 2022
Wanda has uncovered a dark secret that could shatter the image of her perfect family. Attempting to force the situation back into the societal framework she’d strived for years to present, events spiral out of control. Secrets threaten to emerge from a carefully suppressed past and become public. To save her family’s reputation, Wanda succumbs to a madness no one could have expected.
When I sat down to watch The Night Stalker on Netflix, I had no idea I would binge watch the whole thing in one night. When I sat down to read Portrait of a Nuclear Family by JP Behrens, I had no idea I would feel the need to read the whole thing in one sitting. The only thing that stopped me was I needed to work the next morning. Much like with the Night Stalker, I was terrified and I needed to see how it ended. That’s how impacted and invested I was in Behrens” story. I like my horror like I like my coffee. Dark. And Portrait of a Nuclear Family does not disappoint.
When I sat down to watch The Night Stalker on Netflix, I had no idea I would binge watch the whole thing in one night. When I sat down to read Portrait of a Nuclear Family by JP Behrens, I had no idea I would feel the need to read the whole thing in one sitting. The only thing that stopped me was I needed to work the next morning. Much like with the Night Stalker, I was terrified and I needed to see how it ended. That’s how impacted and invested I was in Behrens” story. I like my horror like I like my coffee. Dark. And Portrait of a Nuclear Family does not disappoint.
February 1, 2023
I can’t share which of my weird phobias exist in this book without spoiling it, but there were enough that I felt physically sick and thought about this book for days. Things that I love and value in life, like family and holidays, are used in ways that really made the plot hit that much harder. Just when you think it’s horrible enough, it gets exponentially worse. I honestly don’t know how to explain this book without potentially giving away some of the plot and “omfg” moments. Just read it.
January 18, 2023
Very good! The part that made this horror novel so enjoyable for me is that I identified at first with the pressure the main character was under. Watching everything spiraling down an ever darker rabbit hole the deeper the book went was riveting. I felt like this was something you’d find on a real life news story where the news caster warns the viewer about "upsetting and disturbing content". Eyemuff the kids folks! This succeeds in "holy …." Moments that left my jaw dangling and wondering would I slip that far?
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