A review by phil629
The Road Through the Wall by Shirley Jackson

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.75

“The Road Through the Wall” is essentially an exploration of suburban life in small-town America. Jackson peels back the veneer of normalcy and social conformity to reveal and expose the darker undercurrents and intolerance that exist therein. The novel was a little ponderous and I was bit confused by the number of characters and found it difficult to link children to parents in the early stages but overall I found it to be an enthralling read. There is no doubt that Jackson has a keen insight into human nature which made for a thought-provoking read that has lingered in my mind since finishing the book. It was the first Shirley Jackson novel I have read. I now aim to read her others most likely in the order they were published.