A review by josh_keane
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett

dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

There are short story writers and there are novelists. Sometimes, novelists dip their toes into the short form and it doesn't carry, the opposite happens too. I have absolutely adored Barrett's previous two collections, revisited the first a handful of times over the years and was utterly absorbed by the second. I was always wondering when this novel of his would see the light of day but a little anxious if it would hold a candle to his short work. I'm happy to say that Barrett is as accomplished a writer in the short form as he is with the novel. A novel that barrels along at great speed and intensity that juggles character introspection, fire-cracker like snappy dialogue with a great depth of feeling for its characters. It's utterly absorbing, I simply didn't want it to end. All I hope is that the next one doesn't take another ten years to come out, but even if it does it will be worth it!