Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The September House by Carissa Orlando

72 reviews

cheye13's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

As all really good horror is, this is an excellent metaphor for the social issue -

domestic abuse

- it's approaching. I don't necessarily think it's a spoiler, as it's the core of the story, but others might. I mention it here because I think some other content warnings are more obviously spoilers, so I suggest checking that only if you are genuinely concerned about reading certain content (also for more details regarding the nature of

the abuse

).

I very much appreciated that it didn't dance around the metaphor; the social issue was brought into the light and addressed directly in conjunction with the haunting and what it represented. And in general, I found it a very good horror story. I'm not a huge horror fan and can be a baby, but this is the type of horror that is scary for the characters rather than the reader, which is the style I prefer, I think. This didn't give me nightmares, which I'm grateful for. On the other hand, the language is so effective and visceral that I did gag or feel my skin crawl at times. It made for a fun and interesting reading experience without dipping into true unpleasantness for me.

I think my main gripe was

using alcoholism as a sort of springboard for the anger issues and domestic abuse; it felt like a way to excuse the behavior, when they're really two discrete issues that can occur indepedently. Removing the alcoholism would maybe make the abuse storyline more universal.

That being said, it didn't necessarily take anything away from the concept so it was easy to look past.

This is possibly one of the best, most accessible horror books I've found so far.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Vomit, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Child death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Torture, Cannibalism, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury

abuse: the nature of the spousal abuse is an alcoholic husband physically and emotionally abusing his wife; the physical abuse is never detailed, but the emotional abuse is very much so, often including misogynistic rhetoric. While the narrator excuses the abuse to herself, she is adamant it will not affect their child. There is, however, a single detailed scene in which the husband threatens their child.

Dementia: there is a long scene calling the narrator's mental health into question, including discussions of genetic mental illness, schizophrenia, self harm, murder, and symptoms of PTSD.

While I was concerned about the potential 'it's all in her mind' twist, that is not the eventual conclusion.

animal death: birds die often from impacting the exterior of the house; disposal of their corpses mentioned often, but not in great detail

cops: police officers are present and do wield guns

vomit/bugs: not often depicted, but includes some scenes of people vomiting flies (living and dead)

much upsetting content is part of the ghosts' pasts, witnessed and described in middling detail by the narrator, including: cannibalism, child abuse, child death, torture (of children), fire/fire injury, kidnapping, and violence

jeannelynne24's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

While I loved this book (it kept me guessing with the wild swings!), it DEFINITELY needs trigger warnings!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Dementia, Cannibalism, Abandonment, and Alcohol

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

3.5

Carissa Orlando’s September House is a twisty, compulsively readable debut that delves into the unnerving and the unexpected. The premise is intriguing: Margaret and her husband Hal buy their dream Victorian home on Hawthorn Street, only to discover that it’s a haunted nightmare. Every September, the house undergoes a grotesque transformation—walls drip with blood, ghosts of former inhabitants appear, and an ominous presence lurks in the basement. Despite these horrors, Margaret is determined to stay, a decision that ultimately strains her marriage.

The novel doesn’t fit neatly into the horror genre, despite its unsettling scenes and characters. Margaret’s nonchalant attitude towards the house’s September transformations creates a curious detachment. For her, these events are just part of the routine, while for the reader, it’s a first encounter with the house’s terrifying anomalies.

The suspense ramps up with the arrival of Margaret’s daughter, Katherine, who comes to find her missing father. Katherine is troubled by her father’s disappearance and her mother’s seemingly indifferent response. As Katherine searches for Hal, the hauntings grow more intense, and Margaret becomes increasingly entangled with the malevolent forces in the house and the ghosts’ disturbing secrets.

The climax of September House includes some strikingly grotesque body horror, and the book is rich in detailed descriptions of the ghosts’ tragic fates. For readers sensitive to such content, checking trigger warnings before diving in is advisable.

While I found the novel entertaining, I felt somewhat underwhelmed. However, Orlando’s background as a psychologist specializing in children and adolescents shines through, adding depth to the characters and contributing to the book’s notable strengths. If you’re looking for a psychological twist on haunted house lore, September House offers a compelling, if unconventional, read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

coco78337's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

g_xandra's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Suicide, Violence, Vomit, and Murder

jillcosta's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail

fkshg8465's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was better than I expected it to be. Until the last few chapters, I kept questioning reality and wondered how I could suspend reality at the same time. It was the same feeling I had watching Everything Everywhere All at Once. I loved the relationships Margaret cultivated. And I appreciated the mother-daughter dynamic too. That was probably the most real thing about the book and also the best part for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

01melon's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I give Carissa Orlando's "The September House" a perfect five stars since it was an amazing book to read. I was astounded by how masterfully written it was and how much the haunted home horror subgenre was developed. Though they were all fantastic, Margaret, our main character, was my favourite. Her understated sense of humour made me laugh out loud multiple times as she handled every circumstance in this eerie mansion. I particularly appreciated reading the history of why this mansion is the way it is, since it helps to fill in the spaces. Everything made perfect sense and seemed very real. The story is incredible.It made me think of the horror movie "The Conjuring." 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Minor: Drug use, Sexism, and Death of parent

chelbelle122's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The beginning had me at a 5. The middle was so slow I thought about stopping. The end wraps everything up nicely...but it was so rushed. I wouldn't say I was surprised by any of the plot twists but I did love the nonchalant attitude of the main character. I would watch the BBC version of this in a moment...but probably wouldn't read it again.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

nicolesanerd's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I’m not sure that I’ve ever facepalmed from a book as much as this one made me. The characters were frustrating, to put it nicely. The plot was also completely predictable. The book contained multiple instances of hints that made it very apparent while not saying it outright. I finished in hopes that it wouldn’t be the case, but unfortunately it was. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail