A review by samusc
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

dark emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher is a recent gothic horror that I like the more I think about it. So let's dig in (get it!)

Sam is a relatable fat 32 year old woman in academia summoned to her late grandmother's home at the behest of her brother with the purpose of checking on their increasingly paranoid mother. Upon arriving she's greeted by racist paintings, vivid nightmares, a handsome gardener, and a committee of vultures. The longer she stays the more questions she has. Why is her mother, Edith, behaving so erratically? How much do the neighbors know about Gran Mae and other family history? Is there any truth behind bedtime stories of the "underground children"?

Admittedly, I didn't know too much going into this book, beyond a desire to go through T. Kingfisher's catalogue after enjoying Nettle & Bone, and What Moves the Dead. I'm once again impressed by her writing, especially in that this story balances humor and horror so well. The description of Sam's nightmares were vivid and I probably should not have read them before going to bed! The scene in which Sam is trying to decipher what's real and not in photos was unnerving and reminded me of a fantastic scene in Middlegame by Seanan McGuire. The build up of increasingly unsettling hauntings is perfectly paced, making the intense last few chapters incredibly rewarding. I admittedly didn't find the jar of teeth buried in the yard too concerning, but I've known many witches in my day.

True highlights of this story were the characters and the theming surrounding generational trauma. Though I already returned my copy to the library, my favorite interaction went something like this:

Sam: "Is Hermes your familiar?"

Gail: "He's my friend."

Rating: 5/5 Stars. Vultures are good birds with important jobs, and as noted in the Acknowledgements, I always appreciate them when I see them.