A review by babayagareads
The September House by Carissa Orlando

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This follows Margaret, who is, above-all, proper. Her voice is so prim, it leans toward endearing and funny. I feel I know her and appreciate her. This book is riddled in metaphor,
almost all concerning varieties of domestic violence and spousal abuse
. 

I read this on my phone, which made keeping track of the page count difficult, but also when I thought it was over, it was NOT over. And I was angry with where I thought it was going to end. Visceral disappointment. Luckily, I was wrong and there was the true climax around the corner. 

The true climax's metaphors floored me.
The women and children rising up against the abuser and the POLICE (especially the male officers) felt all too familiar. Jasper, the other male ghost of the house, and presumably Hal, were silent bystanders to Master Vale's demise.


I love a haunted house story that doesn't demonize all the ghosts, but also doesn't shy away from their misdeeds. 

This one avoids too much gory detail at the begin, but holds no punches as the story progresses, much in line with the main character's mindset as the month goes on. Do not read this book if you cannot handle gore, especially toward
children and birds.


Some of my favorite themes here beyond the haunted house component: strained relationships between mother and daughter, close quarters cohabitation, exorcisms, and seedy motels/bars. 
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