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A review by leecalliope
The House of Whispers by Laura Purcell
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I think I enjoyed this book! The rare book that I picked up at work to pass some time and took home and then actually read all the way through not immediately. But I picked it up again yesterday and did reread the first like 10 pages, so I did read all of it in around 24 hours.
It is very engrossing! Very atmospheric. I am definitely glad I was not alone when I was reading it! A spooky book.
I think I do not really?? Extremely enjoy an ambiguous ending like this. I dunno. I also did have some issues sympathizing w Hester? I dunno. I think her all-encompassing need to be needed is very! Relatable! And also interesting, as a character trait to examine, but I don't know that I got enough time with it/her to really feel it.
Louise is a much more sympathetic character, and I think the fact that we don't really find out what happens in the last 40 years through her eyes is my biggest complaint. I want to know how she is feeling throughout the book! Also? The thing with the door counter is just SO spooky, and I think could have been used to greater effect if Hester had been less muddled about it.
Anyway, I think I really enjoyed the experience of reading this book. I've always been enamored by the idea of changelings, and it's an interesting exploration of the theme! I had a nice time, and I would definitely read another book by this author.
It is very engrossing! Very atmospheric. I am definitely glad I was not alone when I was reading it! A spooky book.
I think I do not really?? Extremely enjoy an ambiguous ending like this. I dunno. I also did have some issues sympathizing w Hester? I dunno. I think her all-encompassing need to be needed is very! Relatable! And also interesting, as a character trait to examine, but I don't know that I got enough time with it/her to really feel it.
Louise is a much more sympathetic character, and I think the fact that we don't really find out what happens in the last 40 years through her eyes is my biggest complaint. I want to know how she is feeling throughout the book! Also? The thing with the door counter is just SO spooky, and I think could have been used to greater effect if Hester had been less muddled about it.
Anyway, I think I really enjoyed the experience of reading this book. I've always been enamored by the idea of changelings, and it's an interesting exploration of the theme! I had a nice time, and I would definitely read another book by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Addiction
There's a lot of talk about drowning specifically in the latter half of the book.