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theliteraryhooker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death and Blood
erikagibson126's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abandonment and Stalking
Minor: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Gun violence, Murder, and Cursing
maryellen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide
markedwithanm's review
2.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
lovelymisanthrope's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
"Man, Fuck This House" follows the Haskins family as they move to their new home located in Jackson Hill. Sabrina, the mother, is bored with the life she feels like she settled for, Hal, the father, is excited to start his new job and take care of the family he is oblivious to, Michela, the daughter, is the seemingly normal one, and Damien, the son, has spent his life trying to convince his mom that he is a demon. A fresh start for this family feels like the right thing, but when Sabrina starts seeing impossible things, she believes the house is haunted. Unfortunately, no one else sees anything, so maybe she is just finally going mad?
There was something overtly pretentious about the writing in this book, which really turned me off. I think the writing and inner monologue made sense for Damien's character because of how he is trying so desperately to be portrayed, but it really did not work for me throughout the rest of the book. The writing felt stilted, and it took me the first 100 pages to really become acclimated and be able to read and stay invested in the story.
My other big grievance with this story was the extreme gore that felt like it came out of nowhere. For example, there is a scene where someone sees something, and they end up clawing their eyes out. This is a character we met for one page, and it did not feel authentic at all. Wouldn't his first reaction be that someone is playing a trick on him? Why did he immediately cut his eyes out?! I am fine with gore, but it did not feel organically written, it felt forced for a shock factor from the reader.
One thing I did enjoy (spoiler) is the perspective we receive from the house. I think I would have enjoyed this story more if the entire novella was written from the perspective of the house rather than a mix of other characters. That is such a fresh idea for a haunted house story.
I am definitely curious to read more from Brian Asman in the future.
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Death, Torture, Gore, and Death of parent
irenemarie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Gore
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Child death
sugaredroses's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was fun, don't get me wrong! An interesting take on the haunted house trope, reminded me of AHS Murder House, Hill House, Bly Manor, those sort of stories. Funny in a dark humour kind of way, and the writing style shows that it's deliberately done rather than just cheesy. Not a single page or plot twist went where I thought it was going to go.
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Death of parent, and Gore
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
numerous_bees's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death and Self harm
kcraig73's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Death, Suicide, Violence, and Body horror
Minor: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Medical content, and Sexism
shannananahey's review
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cannibalism, Medical content, and Blood