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lilbookowl's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
stephaniejnl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
annithebookaholic's review against another edition
4.75
I don't even know what I just read, but I know that I loved every second of it!
The way that this is written is so strange, but it also really pulls you in and doesn't let go. This book is literally no plot, just vibes. Like nothing happened, but at the same time, so much was said. The main character is unlikable but very interesting to follow, and all of the other characters were so intriguing as well!
The small element of sci-fi was also very interesting, and I absolutely loved the setting of the physical Catherine House! The hazy, almost drugged like atmosphere really adds to the weirdness of the book!
If you liked Bunny or Wilder Girls, I feel like you will really love this!!
The way that this is written is so strange, but it also really pulls you in and doesn't let go. This book is literally no plot, just vibes. Like nothing happened, but at the same time, so much was said. The main character is unlikable but very interesting to follow, and all of the other characters were so intriguing as well!
The small element of sci-fi was also very interesting, and I absolutely loved the setting of the physical Catherine House! The hazy, almost drugged like atmosphere really adds to the weirdness of the book!
If you liked Bunny or Wilder Girls, I feel like you will really love this!!
llovemsg's review against another edition
4.0
(3.8/4 stars) i haven’t been on here for a hot minute but i just finished this book and was surprised by its rating- i thought it would be higher i guess. idk i really liked this book; think “secret history” but creepier. super atmospheric and creepy, really great worldbuilding and writing.
i also received a shock at the amount of dislike the popular opinion has of the MC, especially bc i felt like i related to her a lot. to quote one of the reviewers, “i hated the heroine. she is just creepy, living in her head with so many obsessions, introvert, feeble, indecisive. i didnt find any good qualities to like her a little bit!” what does this say about me? hm. anyway, i liked this book :/
i also received a shock at the amount of dislike the popular opinion has of the MC, especially bc i felt like i related to her a lot. to quote one of the reviewers, “i hated the heroine. she is just creepy, living in her head with so many obsessions, introvert, feeble, indecisive. i didnt find any good qualities to like her a little bit!” what does this say about me? hm. anyway, i liked this book :/
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 charachterstudy. What is really left than? Still the ghotic atmosphere and the writing makes it not a totally bad readin experience.
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.