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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Animal death, Car accident, War
Minor: Blood
[3.5 Sterne]
Der Aspekt mit den evakuierten Museumsexponaten (in diesem Fall die Säugetiersammlung) hat mir richtig gut gefallen. Wie Hetty ihre Exponate hegt und pflegt, sie in- und auswendig kennt, ist charmant und etwas schrullig. Durch den Einzug der Tiere wird es im riesigen Lockwood Manor auch direkt gemütlich und ich habe dieser kleinen Geschichte, die sich zu Zeiten des zweiten Weltkriegs zuträgt, gern gelauscht. Interessant ist hierbei auch die Darstellung der Frauenrolle zu diesen Zeiten, der langsame Wandel zu mehr Selbstbestimmung. Schwierig gestaltet sich allerdings der Wechsel zwischen den Erzählerinnen. Sowohl Hetty als auch Lucy schildern in der Ich-Perspektive ihre Sicht der Dinge, beide werden aber von derselben Sprecherin gelesen und es gibt vor den Kapiteln keinen Namenshinweis dazu, wer gerade spricht. Das lässt sich aus dem Kontext zwar stets schnell herausfinden, ist aber immer wieder kurzzeitig verwirrend. Die Geschichte selbst plätschert gemächlich vor sich hin, wird immer queerer und mysteriöser bis sich am Ende alles zu übertrieben und schlussendlich zu friedlich auflöst.
Der Aspekt mit den evakuierten Museumsexponaten (in diesem Fall die Säugetiersammlung) hat mir richtig gut gefallen. Wie Hetty ihre Exponate hegt und pflegt, sie in- und auswendig kennt, ist charmant und etwas schrullig. Durch den Einzug der Tiere wird es im riesigen Lockwood Manor auch direkt gemütlich und ich habe dieser kleinen Geschichte, die sich zu Zeiten des zweiten Weltkriegs zuträgt, gern gelauscht. Interessant ist hierbei auch die Darstellung der Frauenrolle zu diesen Zeiten, der langsame Wandel zu mehr Selbstbestimmung. Schwierig gestaltet sich allerdings der Wechsel zwischen den Erzählerinnen. Sowohl Hetty als auch Lucy schildern in der Ich-Perspektive ihre Sicht der Dinge, beide werden aber von derselben Sprecherin gelesen und es gibt vor den Kapiteln keinen Namenshinweis dazu, wer gerade spricht. Das lässt sich aus dem Kontext zwar stets schnell herausfinden, ist aber immer wieder kurzzeitig verwirrend. Die Geschichte selbst plätschert gemächlich vor sich hin, wird immer queerer und mysteriöser bis sich am Ende alles zu übertrieben
Spoiler
hätte doch gereicht, dass Lord Lockwood sich an Lucys Freundin vergangen hat und nicht auch noch nachts den Bediensteten nachstellt
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a beautifully written historical novel. It's comfortable and unsettling at the same time, exploring some familiar gothic tropes with style.
But while I was swept away by the beauty of the writing, I also wish it had been allowed to run a little more wild. Aside from the romance, the narrative lacks development. Mysteries are uncovered, horrors are unearthed, but the tone and pacing remain the same throughout. There is such a consistent gothic timbre that by the time you reach the denouement and everything is unravelling, the tone has nowhere to go. At times, the writing feels too careful, too measured, and as a reader I was so anchored that I could never fully lose myself in the horror.
That said, The Animals At Lockwood Manor is an impressive debut, with a wide appeal. From the outset I knew what to expect, with its echoes of Jane Eyre, but I still found it to be an engaging read.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
But while I was swept away by the beauty of the writing, I also wish it had been allowed to run a little more wild. Aside from the romance, the narrative lacks development. Mysteries are uncovered, horrors are unearthed, but the tone and pacing remain the same throughout. There is such a consistent gothic timbre that by the time you reach the denouement and everything is unravelling, the tone has nowhere to go. At times, the writing feels too careful, too measured, and as a reader I was so anchored that I could never fully lose myself in the horror.
That said, The Animals At Lockwood Manor is an impressive debut, with a wide appeal. From the outset I knew what to expect, with its echoes of Jane Eyre, but I still found it to be an engaging read.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Average. Nothing special
A nicely written, beautifully gothic story that nicely incorporates a war-time setting and a very believable female romance.
There's a lot to love here: The gothic atmosphere and the description of the house in general was very nicely done, and i think Healey has a real talent for creating the appropriate amount of tension. The characters were also great in the main - both Hetty and Lucy were wonderfully realised, though the supporting cast of characters were unfortunately a bit underwhelming.
I think my biggest problem with this novel was that it didn't live up to the storyline I expected. I wanted it to fully embrace the creepy gothic vibes, so when certain revelations are made and the whole thing is rather pedestrian, I couldn't help but be disappointed. I also found the final part a little bit erring on the edge of cliche, which is a real shame.
More of a 3.5 than a 4 star but I definitely enjoyed it and can't wait to see what Healey writes next!
There's a lot to love here: The gothic atmosphere and the description of the house in general was very nicely done, and i think Healey has a real talent for creating the appropriate amount of tension. The characters were also great in the main - both Hetty and Lucy were wonderfully realised, though the supporting cast of characters were unfortunately a bit underwhelming.
I think my biggest problem with this novel was that it didn't live up to the storyline I expected. I wanted it to fully embrace the creepy gothic vibes, so when certain revelations are made and the whole thing is rather pedestrian, I couldn't help but be disappointed. I also found the final part a little bit erring on the edge of cliche, which is a real shame.
More of a 3.5 than a 4 star but I definitely enjoyed it and can't wait to see what Healey writes next!