Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Whispering House by Elizabeth Brooks

1 review

breeoxd's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I felt like the author showed Cory as being unable to handle seeing the truth about himself. His art was a way to defy his father, as a way of showing his manhood by providing for his family and sustaining the estate- a ticket to a brighter future without depending on what he was taught by his dad (who was focused on more masculine skills like sports and business). His mentally ill mother had taken a frail child and made his talents? the most special thing about him, out of a way to keep her connected with her happier pre-husband past; a connection to art and the world outside the smothering Whispering House. Diana made art a weapon against his father’s ghost. When that mental liferaft was taken away, it ended him. 

This is to say nothing of two women, who looked very similar to his mother, with who he had a dependent, and quasi incestuous “marriage” vibe with, betraying him in his own eyes. There are a lot of confusing sexual undertones in those relationships. I saw it as Mom, the wife, Stella, the whore, Freya, the saint. I saw the way he painted their souless eyes as part of him not being able to see much difference between the three. </spoiler.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Kidnapping