54 pages 1 hour read

Jennifer McMahon

The Winter People

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014

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Parts 11-17

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 11: “January 4: Present Day “ - Part 17: “1939”

Part 11, Chapter 38 Summary: “Katherine”

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of violence and death.

In the present day, Katherine is moving through the cave. She is trying to find the location marked on the map her late husband had photographed. She is beginning to doubt she will find it when she hears Gary encouraging her. Finally, she finds a chamber with a fire pit and “sleeper awaken” written hundreds of times on the walls. Katherine performs the sleeper ceremony to bring her husband back using a candle, her husband’s camera, and the rabbit’s heart. When she is finished, she makes her way out. Behind her, she hears shuffling footsteps approaching her in the dark. She runs.

Part 12, Chapter 39 Summary: “Martin: January 31, 1908”

In 1908, after getting shot, Martin makes his way back to the house. He knows he is dying from the gunshot wound. He wants to tell Sara he did not kill Gertie before he dies.

As he approaches the house, he thinks he sees someone move, but when he looks again, there is no one there. Sara comes out of the house followed by Auntie with a gun. Sara tells Martin that Auntie killed Gertie. Martin lunges for the gun but misses.