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shantuck13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Body horror, Alcoholism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Dementia, Confinement, Suicide, and Gaslighting
hauntedantiqueshop's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Death, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Violence, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Alcoholism, Animal death, and Domestic abuse
purstiltski's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Murder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Child death, Death of parent, Self harm, Cursing, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcoholism
Minor: Cannibalism, Child abuse, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, and Mental illness
izypup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Blood, Gore, Murder, Child death, Body horror, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Addiction, Confinement, Death of parent, Cannibalism, Animal death, Torture, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
rachelunabridged's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Gore, Alcoholism, Blood, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Death, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Violence, Body horror, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide
queersubtext's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Body horror, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cannibalism, Vomit, and Kidnapping
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
After Margaret and her husband move into their dream house, they discover that it is haunted every September. The house becomes too much for Margaret's husband and he decides to leave. Margaret, on the other hand, learns how to deal with the house's eccentricities, like blood pouring down the walls and ghosts that bite when you get too close. But when Margaret's daughter Katherine discovers that her father has gone missing, she shows up at the house to search for him and discovers that her mother is not living a normal, happy life.
'The September House' is a fascinating story that delves into one woman learning how to live in a haunted house and what this says about her life. The house is very much a metaphor for her larger life situation but delving into that further would be a bit of a spoiler. I appreciate when an author uses a speculative element to discuss something nonspeculative and Orlando does that quite well in this novel. Margaret's situation and what she has been going through is slowly revealed throughout the book and there were a few points that could be considered twists as the story veered into unexpected territory. I really got on with the writing style and the humor of the book. The story veers from more satirical at the beginning to more straight horror toward the middle and end. If you are looking for a thought provoking book that delves into one woman's situation using a speculative element, then definitely check out 'The September House.'
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Mental illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Grief, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Blood, Body horror, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
alicevoyager's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child death, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Gaslighting and Suicide
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Self harm
rebeshelton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Margaret, our fearless heroine, is the kind of character you can't help but root for. She's got this dream Victorian house on Hawthorn Street, which, surprise surprise, turns out to be haunted. Think walls dripping blood every September, and ghosts that are more scared than scary. It's this unique blend of serious horror with an almost campy, humorous edge that makes this book stand out. I found myself laughing out loud several times, which is not something you'd expect from a haunted house story! It's very akin to Grady Hendrix's style of writing.
What really struck a chord with me, though, was the underlying theme of domestic violence. It's handled with such care and depth. Margaret's journey from being gaslit and abused to finding her strength and standing her ground in this bizarre, haunted house is nothing short of inspiring. It's a powerful narrative that resonates deeply, especially in those heart-wrenching moments where she's doubted by the police and even starts doubting herself.
I absolutely loved this read and was incredibly connected to all the characters!
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Violence, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Blood, Addiction, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Murder, Torture, Alcoholism, and Gore
Moderate: Cannibalism
blueowl2ivy's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Death, Alcoholism, Murder, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Child death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Dementia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy