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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
A curious time setting for this story and one I was deeply enjoying (as much as one can enjoy such a time) it at first. While I have read and studied the time period a bit, I have not done much from the perspective of what happened in Italy. I just wish it pulled in more of the creepy factors, the paranormal. It had the right vibes but the execution was a bit lacking and minimal outcome. The history and what was happening in and to Italy was the bigger focus. While an important message was there for us, I felt it also covers part of the story.
Some dark Jane Eyre feels which I did like. I don't know any Italian so I stumbled a bit over some of the words and terms but that is on me, not the author.
Overall, a decent read but I had hoped for a but more.
A curious time setting for this story and one I was deeply enjoying (as much as one can enjoy such a time) it at first. While I have read and studied the time period a bit, I have not done much from the perspective of what happened in Italy. I just wish it pulled in more of the creepy factors, the paranormal. It had the right vibes but the execution was a bit lacking and minimal outcome. The history and what was happening in and to Italy was the bigger focus. While an important message was there for us, I felt it also covers part of the story.
Some dark Jane Eyre feels which I did like. I don't know any Italian so I stumbled a bit over some of the words and terms but that is on me, not the author.
Overall, a decent read but I had hoped for a but more.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, Classism
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
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
as always, brilliant writing that grabs you and makes it impossible to put the book down until you're done. it's a story you know where it will end but you can feel the horror growing the entire time, pleading with the characters not to do exactly what they will do.
Historical fiction with a subtle injection of magic sounds promising and indeed this book started off well. The unrest and fear lurking amidst the backdrop of 1938 Italy adds to the tension throughout the story, but isn’t quite enough to make this short novel pack the punch it intends.
It’s an interesting concept, with a house of horror attacking the inhabitants, but it feels like more could have been done with the idea. Short books need to hit their mark quickly and conclude well; The House of Whispers has a gripping start and then some initial drama once Eva marries Dante, but this then fizzles out, leaving the end underwhelming.
Eva maintains her independence to a certain degree, but doesn’t push back as much as expected. Perhaps this is because she is herself an ‘undesirable’ but I wanted more from her.
Her friends provide the real depth of the story and their lives and decisions are more interesting than the fantastical elements within the house, which is a shame. The historical and supernatural feel disparate and never quite work together, making the middle of the book in particular feel disconnected to the characters’ stories.
Mazzola’s writing is fantastic, and the book is enjoyable, but sadly it doesn’t quite work.
It’s an interesting concept, with a house of horror attacking the inhabitants, but it feels like more could have been done with the idea. Short books need to hit their mark quickly and conclude well; The House of Whispers has a gripping start and then some initial drama once Eva marries Dante, but this then fizzles out, leaving the end underwhelming.
Eva maintains her independence to a certain degree, but doesn’t push back as much as expected. Perhaps this is because she is herself an ‘undesirable’ but I wanted more from her.
Her friends provide the real depth of the story and their lives and decisions are more interesting than the fantastical elements within the house, which is a shame. The historical and supernatural feel disparate and never quite work together, making the middle of the book in particular feel disconnected to the characters’ stories.
Mazzola’s writing is fantastic, and the book is enjoyable, but sadly it doesn’t quite work.