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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
I think there's something slightly misleading about the description of this story, and that if it didn't hint at so may different potential horrors, I would have felt the mild disappointment I did as some of the mystery was revealed.
The story does a tremendous job of showing us that some of the worst monsters in the world are actually human beings, and Lelic writes their demented actions and reasoning with a kind of specificity that requires the reader to understand exactly what kind of monster we're dealing with.
But every time that some new piece of the puzzle was revealed I said, "Okay."
There wasn't shock or a wow-factor in any of the reveals, it just all felt like a natural if slightly hard to believe, progression of the story.
I'm also a little confused by the concept of the book, which is that begins as a manuscript written back and forth by our main characters trying to explain "what has brought them to this point," but once we pass that point in the story, one has to wonder why the decide to keep sharing their thoughts back and forth, especially when one of the characters isn't likely to have access to writing material. Then it feels very much like a novel, and one being authored by an outside hand.
I didn't dislike it, and was happy to keep reading, though I admit to skimming a bit over the longer sections devoted to a character's self-assesment. But I didn't love it either, it didn't have me turning pages, breathless with anticipation, and not every mystery has to be like that.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Jack and Syd were two broken people before they found each other. Now happily in love and moved into their new home it seems like maybe life will turn out ok after all. Except for that foul smell of death in the attic and the strange box hidden towards the back. Then there's the sound of footsteps where nobody should be walking, and the neighbor who threatens you for daring to be nice to his abused daughter. Something from the past has followed the couple to their new home and it's not the welcome wagon. This was a dark and twisty psychological thriller and the ending took me by surprise.
I received an advance copy for review
Simon Lelic’s novel starts a bit as a surprise, it’s not the typical third person narrator we have, but a kind of diary entries or letters that the two protagonists write to each other. So we have Jack’s and Sydney’s perspective in alternation which makes it quite lively and authentic, especially since you get the impression of the highly stressful situation they are in and which has gone out of control. The way they write reflects their emotional state, it is repetitive, not well organised and thought through but rather like a stream of consciousness just coming out of their mouth.
The plot itself has many surprises to offer, at first you are with the protagonists, not knowing what is happening and always trying to make sense of what they write. Then, slowly, you realise that Sydney and Jack have hidden some useful and important information from you, too, and you start getting sceptical about actually trusting them. As the novel moves on, you have to adjust your idea of the characters and the action again and again which I liked a lot since you could never feel absolutely secure about it.
“The House” really deserves the label “thriller”. Quite often, you feel a cold shiver running down your spine when again something strange happens in the house. The characters’ actions are all credibly motivated and the plot itself is convincingly constructed. The strongest aspect for me was the psychological construction behind the story; knowing what Sydney went through, you can understand her reaction when she finds out about Betsi’s life at home. But also Sydney’s mother – even though she is a rather tragic figure – can be understood in her way of behaving. So, the novel is not just playing on your nerves with a thrilling plot, but also offer some insight in emotionally induced actions and decisions.
Es un thriller... malo. 200 páginas de pura morralla (Parte I) + 100 páginas donde se cuenta la historia que se quiere contar (Parte II). Y lo que se quiere contar... no es todo tan interesante. El plot twist se veía venir desde el principio, el tratamiento de personajes es casi inexistente, no se finalizan todas la tramas que comienzan (porque eran solo relleno)... Se me olvidará en un par de días. Al menos, solo pagué un par de euros por esta copia.
Admittedly I would have liked a little more 'goings on' with The House - since that's the title of the book - initially you believe that because there's a grisly find in the loft that the story will take off in that spooky direction but sadly it doesn't. This is much more a character driven novel which still definitely works, and because of the way the book is written you are sent deep inside the heads of Jack and Syd and therefore know exactly how they're feeling and what they want you to see.
This book may not be quite as riveting or compelling as some psychological thrillers during the main part of the story but it's still a very intriguing and entertaining read which you want to see to the end nonetheless. And the ending, well I didn't suspect it would go that way and found it very fitting to the main plot.
This is the first book I have read by Simon Lelic and I'd happily read his work again, the new slant to the unique way he has written this book was quite daring but it worked and I would recommend this book as a really good physiological thriller.
4 stars
I would like to thank Penguin Books for providing me with a copy of The House in exchange for an honest review!
The House. A simple and to the point title which never fails to intrigue crime and thriller fans like me. The synopsis finished to sell the book and a few seconds later, it was in my Kindle.
But. Yes, there is a but very early in this review. The story suffers from a “bad-blurb” syndrome. I am not blaming anyone for it, just stating a fact. See, because of my never-ending list of books, it actually took me quite a while to get to it, and by the time I clicked on the book, I had forgotten all about what was said in the blurb. I’m really happy about this! And if you’re familiar with my review post format, you now know why I did not include the synopsis. Yes, it contains SPOILERS. You know, the thing I’m allergic to? It did not hinder my reading because I had totally forgotten about it but as it’s now a new release, BE CAREFUL! I hope the publication and publicity about it since it became available hasn’t ruined it for you!
Now off to the book itself.
I like originality. I really do. But when you read books after books, you get lazy and your brain starts to be annoyed when it has to make an effort. Well, I say you, I mean me! The beginning of this story is told in a very unusual way through two different voices. I can’t say more without spoiling the fun, and with the problem discussed above, I think no one needs more party-poopers! I was slightly disturbed by the way things were introduced to me, and you might too, as a conversation with a fellow reader confirmed the opening did not put the reader into an easy position. You have to want to read this book to go through it. But I can assure you it IS worth it. Slowly, the author’s choice of narration and his perfectly mirroring and/or flowing chapters make sense as this story is everything but usual. I’d say the format matches the content, which is something I pay a close attention to and I was very satisfied to see the extent to which the Simon Lelic went to relate his vivid and realistic piece of fiction.
So, Syd and Jack get a house. It sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale. If you like your fairy tales dark, twisted, and absolutely sick! The characterization makes it very easy for you to get a picture of the protagonists and this book that reads as a ball going back and forth between the two parts of this couple gives you all you need to squeeze yourself between them and become a part of the story yourself. This requires you to make your own opinions, just like a friend listening to your best friend’s problems. You take some of their words for what they are, you might leave things out. You progress solely on their side of the story, and before you know it, there’s a bang and the book’s tone changes and puts you back into your witness seat, with no other choice than you hope for the best (if, like me, you grew fond of Syd and Jack and wish this kind of love was more present everywhere. That’s the romantic in me!) It’s abrupt, you don’t have the keys to the house, but you do have pieces of a puzzle except you don’t know what it’s supposed to look like! I adored being led this way, from what felt like an active read to a passive witnessing of recollections, memories, and their aftermath.
Perhaps the place you call home is something, once it's been chosen for you, you don't ever get to alter.
When I said this was a twisted story, I meant it. This book shows you the darkest cases of domestic abuse. If you don’t get angry reading it, you are not into the story! Harrowing events, manipulative moves, the right buttons pushed at the right time, what starts as a weird but interesting tale hides the deepest and darkest cuts people can inflict.
I only wish the psychological side had been explored deeper, I wanted reasons and answers, I got actions and reactions. It is not a bad thing, but I do believe everything would have had a bigger impact with more analysis. Still, there is more than enough for the tension to build like a fire at camp. Weak and tickling at first, getting hungry and taking more room as it absorbs what’s around it, and bursting at full blast at the end!
But who's to say what constitutes a family anyway?
Now that I reread this review (the pleasure of proofreading!), I realize you still don’t know much about the book itself as I have been extremely vague. You can always check the official blurb on Goodreads. Please don’t. Here’s what you need to know: a nice couple finally gets their dream: a nice house in London. But everything comes with a price, and the seller might not be who you think, or want what you think.
Overall, The House offers an original writing style to a disturbing and complex story about how a house becomes a home. Or not. A fantastically gripping read!