Reviews

8.3

This is a real gem of a Big House book, on the dark comedy vanguard of being a gothic. Call it Shirley Jackson in Ireland with a smirk. Both infuriating and totally satsifying. I loved it.

elaineofastolat's review against another edition

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2.0

I must have missed something, because I didn’t think there was anything at all funny about this book. It was downright depressing. Poor Aroon. The only saving saving grace was the last two pages.

This is the last time I read a book because I love the cover.

kathieboucher's review against another edition

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5.0

Terrific read--love unreliable narrators who don't fully understand what's going on in their own story. A northern Irish family slides into genteel poverty--a suffocating prison sentence for the unattractive and unloved daughter of the house. Dark humor with LOTS going on between the lines. Another terrific New York Review Book.

doylemat's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective 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? Yes

5.0

la_soy_emmy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

ambience's review against another edition

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dark funny sad slow-paced

3.75

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