Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Very good. I would put her in the same category as Stephen King. Didn't surprise me at all to find out that Stephen King is a fan of hers as well. It has just the right amounts of horror and suspense.
It had so much sex. like so much. talking about it, thinking about it, writing, not getting it, etc. Mom mad about the kid and his erotic lyrics and music, but always thinks back to her young self and the boy she loved. was groomed but never brought up. strong but has a super abusive or wanna be abusive husband. the premise was good and the plot was super interesting but it wasn't actually the focus of the story.
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is magic. Deliciously terrifying and tender, weaving time and place and body and spirit into a captivating story. Learn and listen well, stay open to that which is beyond you and your understanding, leave things better for your family and honor those who have gone before. Will reread this one often.
I was 16 years old when this book was released. While I was a fan of horror novels, I sadly did not read this book until August of this year, though I wish I'd discovered it sooner. I began reading The Good House as an e-book from my library. I was immediately swept up in the story, and, wanting to stay immersed in it even when I was unable to sit and read, I quickly downloaded the Audible version too. (I have since purchased a physical copy for my bookshelves, as well.) I was invested in the story from the prologue on, engrossed by the increasing sense of unease and dread that rose like a wave, continuously swelling until it finally crested at the end.
The novel first introduces us to Marie Toussaint, a Haitian Vodou practitioner, who, along with her daughter Dominique, are the only Black inhabitants of their small town of Sacajawea, WA. It is circa 1929, and Marie owns Good House, the large house set on the hill, which she inherited from its original owner, pharmacist Elijah Goode. Despite racial tensions, Marie is set upon by locals to help an afflicted young woman, and in doing so, unleashes forces that will affect the course of events in the novel.
Fast forwarding 72 years, we meet Angela, Marie's granddaughter. Both her mother Dominique, and grandmother Marie have long since passed, and Angela now owns Good House. She lives in California, where she works as a lawyer, but spends summers at Good House, and it is here, on the 4th of July, 2001, that tragedy strikes. Angela, along with her estranged husband Tariq and their teenage son Corey, are hosting an Independence Day party, when, seemingly out of nowhere, Corey commits suicide.
2 years after Corey's death, Angela has not been able to bring herself to return to Good House. Angela's marriage is over, and after losing herself to her grief, has found new purpose as an entertainment agent. Facing the decision of whether or not to sell her family home, Angela does return to Good House. She reconnects with her first love, Myles Fisher, the only other Black resident of Sacajawea. Terrifying tragedies continue to plague Sacajawea, as something sinister is at work, and with Myles' help, Angela must unravel the secrets and mysteries of what happened in this house- from that fateful night her Grandmother unwittingly set things in motion, to Corey's death.
The perspective of the story alternates between Angela; her son Corey, in the days leading up to his suicide; her ex-husband Tariq, as he loses himself to dark forces; and her old flame, Myles. Each perspective of the events unfolding is different, and they each add pieces to the story that make up the greater whole. The characters are very well wrought. As a resident of Washington state, I also appreciated the detail that went into creating the Pacific Northwest town of Sacajawea, and how the author incorporated elements of Indigenous culture into the story.
The Good House had everything I could want out of a horror novel- a haunted house, a family curse, vengeful spirits, vodou, compelling characters, a story that evoked many emotions, and a satisfying resolution. I only regret not discovering this book sooner. For fans of horror, this is a must read. I rate it 5 out of 5
The novel first introduces us to Marie Toussaint, a Haitian Vodou practitioner, who, along with her daughter Dominique, are the only Black inhabitants of their small town of Sacajawea, WA. It is circa 1929, and Marie owns Good House, the large house set on the hill, which she inherited from its original owner, pharmacist Elijah Goode. Despite racial tensions, Marie is set upon by locals to help an afflicted young woman, and in doing so, unleashes forces that will affect the course of events in the novel.
Fast forwarding 72 years, we meet Angela, Marie's granddaughter. Both her mother Dominique, and grandmother Marie have long since passed, and Angela now owns Good House. She lives in California, where she works as a lawyer, but spends summers at Good House, and it is here, on the 4th of July, 2001, that tragedy strikes. Angela, along with her estranged husband Tariq and their teenage son Corey, are hosting an Independence Day party, when, seemingly out of nowhere, Corey commits suicide.
2 years after Corey's death, Angela has not been able to bring herself to return to Good House. Angela's marriage is over, and after losing herself to her grief, has found new purpose as an entertainment agent. Facing the decision of whether or not to sell her family home, Angela does return to Good House. She reconnects with her first love, Myles Fisher, the only other Black resident of Sacajawea. Terrifying tragedies continue to plague Sacajawea, as something sinister is at work, and with Myles' help, Angela must unravel the secrets and mysteries of what happened in this house- from that fateful night her Grandmother unwittingly set things in motion, to Corey's death.
The perspective of the story alternates between Angela; her son Corey, in the days leading up to his suicide; her ex-husband Tariq, as he loses himself to dark forces; and her old flame, Myles. Each perspective of the events unfolding is different, and they each add pieces to the story that make up the greater whole. The characters are very well wrought. As a resident of Washington state, I also appreciated the detail that went into creating the Pacific Northwest town of Sacajawea, and how the author incorporated elements of Indigenous culture into the story.
The Good House had everything I could want out of a horror novel- a haunted house, a family curse, vengeful spirits, vodou, compelling characters, a story that evoked many emotions, and a satisfying resolution. I only regret not discovering this book sooner. For fans of horror, this is a must read. I rate it 5 out of 5
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5 stars. A good story that was simply too long. I loved the characters of Angela and Corey, but the plot got too bogged down in spots. If it had been trimmed, I would have enjoyed it more.
Why isn’t this book a horror/supernatural classic?
The only copy I good get my hands on was the audiobook read by Robin Miles and I could not get enough of it. Rich, epic, atmospheric with characters you really care about. Fantastic reading experience if you like this genre.
The only copy I good get my hands on was the audiobook read by Robin Miles and I could not get enough of it. Rich, epic, atmospheric with characters you really care about. Fantastic reading experience if you like this genre.
I read this one for book club and we had such an interesting conversation! I really connected with the characters and was invested in them. I enjoyed learning more about voodoo and found myself doing research while I read. A solid, creepy read that scaredy-cats like me can enjoy and still sleep at night.