A review by frances_frances
A Guest in the House by E.M. Carroll

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

This is one of my favorite reads of the year. The color illustrations were amazing and the story was powerful and unsettling. On my first read through, I kinda took everything that was happening at face value, until I got to the end and then had to reassess everything I thought was true/real. This is a book that gets better with each read. More details are revealed and the subtle messages in the imagery become increasingly clear. I've seen comparisons to The Yellow Wallpaper and Rebecca and find those perspectives really compelling. 

Abby was written so authentically and her ongoing struggle to simply exist was relatable. She is dissatisfied with heteronormativity but cannot fully allow herself to imagine other possibilities. Her visions of Sheila are forcing her to confront herself and her choices. And they're also pulling her father away from reality and stability.