Who Wrote 'Helpmeet' And What Inspired The Story?

I recently dug into 'Helpmeet' and was fascinated by its origins. The novella was written by Naben Ruthnum, who also publishes crime fiction under the name Nathan Ripley. What struck me about 'Helpmeet' is how Ruthnum drew from classic Gothic horror tropes but twisted them into something entirely fresh. The story follows a caretaker tending to her husband’s grotesque transformation, and the inspiration seems to pull from both medical horror and the unsettling intimacy of marriage. Ruthnum has mentioned his interest in body horror and the works of authors like Shirley Jackson, which shows in the story’s claustrophobic, domestic dread. There’s also a clear nod to Victorian-era medical curiosities and the fear of the unknown—the way illness can warp love into something monstrous. The prose is sharp and unsettling, making it feel like Ruthnum channeled personal fears about dependency and physical decay into the narrative.

What’s especially clever is how 'Helpmeet' subverts traditional caretaker stories. Instead of a selfless act, the protagonist’s devotion becomes a slow, terrifying revelation. Ruthnum’s background in crime writing adds a layer of suspense, as the story feels like a mystery where the real horror isn’t just the transformation but the emotional toll it takes. The inspiration feels deeply rooted in exploring how love can curdle under extreme pressure, and it’s a theme that lingers long after the last page.

'Helpmeet' is Naben Ruthnum’s dive into body horror, and it’s clear he had a blast playing with the genre. The story’s inspiration seems to come from a mix of classic literature and modern anxieties—think 'The Yellow Wallpaper' meets Cronenberg. Ruthnum’s protagonist grapples with her husband’s horrifying metamorphosis, and the way he writes it feels like a dark take on marital devotion. I love how he twists the idea of 'in sickness and in health' into something visceral and terrifying. The setting’s isolation amps up the dread, making it feel like a nightmare version of domestic life. Ruthnum’s knack for tension turns a simple premise into something unforgettable.