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greljo76's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
2.75
I liked the atmosphere and the writing was good, but the story just didn't do it for me. It was lacking depth, so ended up being all vibes, but no plot and no real charachterstudy either. What is really left then? Still the ghotic atmosphere and the writing makes it not a totally dreadfull reading experience, but not something I would recommend
starrywonder's review against another edition
3.0
Cultish and Strange
Catherine House is a unique book.
At times it feels as if the whole house is a cult with strange experiments, and others its just a private school.
I wish I liked Ines more, she was not an interesting character. I care more about the lives of her friends than her.
Catherine House is a unique book.
At times it feels as if the whole house is a cult with strange experiments, and others its just a private school.
I wish I liked Ines more, she was not an interesting character. I care more about the lives of her friends than her.
thesmashbotdiaries's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas has Ines entering the private school a different person from when she applied. An experience changed her leaving her in a precarious position. Catherine House is a unique school of higher learning where you commit to staying for three years. There is no contact with anyone in the outside world, no summer vacations, no music, no television, and no mementoes of your past. You do get the chance for a stellar education that will help them obtain their dreams. Ines is more interested in a place to hide and enjoys the abundance of alcohol provided. After a while, though, Ines begins to wonder about one of the labs and what they are doing in those locked rooms. Ines wants answers. But what will be the cost for obtaining the information she desires?
Catherine House is not what I expected. I struggled to finish this book. I continued to read, though, determined to find out the secret and to see how Ines story plays out. Catherine House is a strange book. A school for people with superior intellects and those who think in different ways (linear is not good enough). The book has an unlikeable main character. Ines’ behavior and attitude were deplorable. There is rampant alcohol drinking, nudity and casual sex (Ines had more partners than a street walker). Foul language is prolific as well (for brainiacs their vocabulary was lacking). There is strange food that I wondered if the school drugged from the way the students behaved.
Some of it is odd and difficult to understand. An example is "You are in the house and the house is in the woods. The woods are in the house. The stairs are in the house. Down the stairs is the hallway, and at the end of the hallway is the ballroom. The ballroom is in the house. You are in the house and the house is in you." Another example from Catherine House, "Your hands are on the table. The table is in the hall, across the yard, in the house. The house is in the woods. In the woods, across the yard, in your hands, is the cup. The cup is in your hands. Your hands are in the house."
I did like the dark, Gothic atmosphere the author created. The author is a descriptive writer that allows the reader to visualize the scenes. However, I thought Catherine House moved along at a plodding pace. Nothing really happened. I expected suspense and action which never materialized. I found Catherine House a challenge to finish. Catherine House left me confused, disappointed and anxious for a good book.
Catherine House is not what I expected. I struggled to finish this book. I continued to read, though, determined to find out the secret and to see how Ines story plays out. Catherine House is a strange book. A school for people with superior intellects and those who think in different ways (linear is not good enough). The book has an unlikeable main character. Ines’ behavior and attitude were deplorable. There is rampant alcohol drinking, nudity and casual sex (Ines had more partners than a street walker). Foul language is prolific as well (for brainiacs their vocabulary was lacking). There is strange food that I wondered if the school drugged from the way the students behaved.
Some of it is odd and difficult to understand. An example is "You are in the house and the house is in the woods. The woods are in the house. The stairs are in the house. Down the stairs is the hallway, and at the end of the hallway is the ballroom. The ballroom is in the house. You are in the house and the house is in you." Another example from Catherine House, "Your hands are on the table. The table is in the hall, across the yard, in the house. The house is in the woods. In the woods, across the yard, in your hands, is the cup. The cup is in your hands. Your hands are in the house."
I did like the dark, Gothic atmosphere the author created. The author is a descriptive writer that allows the reader to visualize the scenes. However, I thought Catherine House moved along at a plodding pace. Nothing really happened. I expected suspense and action which never materialized. I found Catherine House a challenge to finish. Catherine House left me confused, disappointed and anxious for a good book.
jessicarosee's review against another edition
5.0
reread 13/9/21: i loved this even more the second time around. i find ines is so much more complex this time, especially knowing how all the characters end up. i didnt focus on how beautiful the prose is the first time i read this but this time i was so enchanted every page :)
first read 18/11/20: i loved the story and the sort of mystery and sinister tone throughout the novel. i love all of the characters especially DIEGO AND YAYA but literally after the ending.... no thoughts head empty... REALLY LIKED THIS THOUGH
first read 18/11/20: i loved the story and the sort of mystery and sinister tone throughout the novel. i love all of the characters especially DIEGO AND YAYA but literally after the ending.... no thoughts head empty... REALLY LIKED THIS THOUGH
alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition
3.0
The rating for me is a really low 3. I just feel as if the story kept giving small snipets of interesting things and then never bringing them up later. The MC has this mysterious past and we find it out and I don't feel like it even mattered. There is even a character who states it doesn't matter. We have so much intrigue for this house. They mention it may be haunted and that goes nowhere. They mention this weird experimentation that just didn't get enough attention overall. I mean, the ending was okay. I was waiting and waiting and waiting for something to happen but nothing really did. There was kind of an occult aspect that didn't make much sense to me personally. I wanted more creepy vibes and more of everything. Instead, we got a lot of sex and alcohol. I am not against that stuff in books but it just wasn't interesting.
taliaissmart's review against another edition
Very atmospheric but too light on plot
figbash's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Reads like a Harry Potter clone for adults.