Reviews

Grange House by Sarah Blake

momsanerd's review against another edition

4.0

I actually picked up this book at one of the dollar stores on a random stop in while I was in high school. I was looking for a cheap read to take with me on a senior trip to check out a college.
I read the book, and started discussing it with my grandmother so she went to get a copy too and started on it. By the time I got back from my trip she had read it twice and so had I. We had great discussions about the book. There were lots of "Did you think that was coming" and "I had to read it again to be sure that I really got it". I am thinking about re-reading as now it has been 10 years since I have read the book but remember that it was wonderful. The characters are believable and Sarah Blake does an amazing job building up the world inside of the book. I would recommend to anyone!

mcurry1010's review against another edition

2.0

I loved the first 2/3 of this book but then the story became overly convoluted and repetitive.

yeahdeadslow's review against another edition

3.0

This could have been so much better... But then again, I randomly selected it at the library, so it could've been a lot worse!

I really loved the novel's setting. I thought the author evoked the Victorian era wonderfully! The sea-drenched gothic feel was delicious. But... eh, my enthusiasm petered out somewhere around the middle. I found the story had gotten rather dull, especially during Nell's journal entries. The biggest family secret was interesting! I didn't guess what it was. (Hint: Perdita) But... Maisie, dear. What did you want? I feel like you wanted so much out of life, but did you really try and get it?

But I'm really glad I read this... because it inspired me to write. Right after I finished the last page I started writing a story set in the Victorian era. Do you know the last time I got inspired to write a new story and actually did? Let's just say it was way too long ago for a person who calls herself a "writer".

ksparks's review

4.0

The first time I read this book, I was enthralled. This book has an over-the-top Gothic plot. It's romantic, it's a ghost story. It's Victorian and creepy and suspenseful and interesting. It's no Jane Eyre, but it definitely aspires to be and frankly, I was happy just to read a contemporary novel that makes the attempt. I re-read this recently, and this time I did a lot of skimming since I knew what was going to happen, and the melodrama stretched my patience. Still, it is an interesting read.

ainwena's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

librarianonparade's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this book. It's hard to describe what it's about, a young girl in search of her self, only that it's a wonderfully atmospheric, complex Victorian Gothic novel, full of mysteries and ghosts and family secrets. It reads in places like a ghost story, although it isn't, despite the fact that there are ghosts and hauntings. It's...oh, so hard to describe, but wonderfully written.

jambery's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. The prose was gorgeous, really surrounding you with this misty, back in time feeling that the cover illustrates perfectly. It's a mystery, it's a Victorian love story, it's a ghost story, and it's haunting and beautiful.

majesdane's review against another edition

3.0

The characters in this book have more secrets than all the secrets to be found in 15+ books of "Pretty Little Liars". There was a distinct Dickensian/Bronte vibe to this book.

It was a good story, but it just dragged so much at times. I feel like there were moments of absolute brilliance, but it just wasn't enough overall.