Reviews

This House Is Haunted by John Boyne

chichi_belle's review against another edition

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4.0

I have always been a fan of the Victorian genre because of its mix of subtlety and passion. This book, although published this year, channeled the era famously. Eliza Caine, the lead character, although undynamic herself as she displays little growth or character, is a wonderful narrator for the creepy and disturbing Gaudlin house.

The book is a bit more concrete than other bump-in-the-night, what-was-that types of horrors but still, it's upsetting enough to make you anxious with your feet under the covers.

I relished reading this book and thought it was both wonderfully constructed and delivered. I only wish I could read another. Part of me hopes that they make this book into a movie because I do love a good horror novel.

I highly recommend this book.

ageekybibliophile's review against another edition

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2.0

Started off strong to the point where I read 127 pages on a bus journey but by the middle point I felt the writer didn't know where to take the story. The characters were decent but the backstory as good as it could have been was flawed and kinda boring. It picked up a bit for me but then once again ended far too quickly. The ending seemed rushed as if the writer ran out of ideas and just wanted to end it.

emilyeclay's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

4.0

book_concierge's review against another edition

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3.0

It is 1867 and Eliza Caine, whose father has just died and left her virtually penniless, responds to an advertisement for a governess position at Gaudlin Hall in Norfolk, England. When she finally arrives, after a frightening incident in the thick fog, she’s greeted by the two children for whom she’ll care, Isabella and Eustace. But there is no adult present, and the children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room a second terrifying incident occurs and Eliza begins to question whether she should have taken this assignment.

In this work, Boyne focuses his considerable talent on writing a classic gothic ghost story. The writing style is reminiscent of Dickens and Bronte; I definitely pick up echoes of Jane Eyre. The reader learns pretty quickly that there is something not right in this house, but Boyne takes his time building suspense before letting us know definitively what is going on. I felt Eliza’s frustration when no one in town would tell her the full truth, cheered her on as she stiffened her spine and decided to take matters into her own hands, and I applauded her dedication to the children when she refused to leave them alone despite any danger to herself.

The big climax is somewhat overdramatic, though typical of the genre. But the ending is downright chilling.

ganzfeldstate's review against another edition

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3.0

I realise this book is meant to be a homage to the classics of the genre but I didn't feel it added anything particularly interesting. However, it kept me turning the pages and entertained.

baker75's review against another edition

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2.0

Very disappointing.....Flat and predictable. Fans of the modern ghost story should pass this by and read M Paver's Dark Matter.

steadycollie's review against another edition

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

2.0

nyeran's review against another edition

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2.0

Se mio padre è morto la colpa è di Charles Dickens.” 

Ok, sarò onesta, volevo amare questo libro molto più di quanto ho fatto. Non ho capito come può essere stato eletto uno dei migliori libri del 2013. 

♠ Mi aspettavo molto e ho ricevuto nulla. Piattume e delusione totale. Mi aspettavo una storia gotica in stile Jane Eyre, ciò che ho letto è stato la brutta copia di Jane Eyre. 
Eliza, la protagonista, risulta piatta e senza sostanza, considerando che lei è la protagonista potete capire il problema. Andiamo con ordine. La storia manca di originalità, c'è una giovane educatrice che viene assunta per fare da insegnante a due bambini. I genitori non sono pervenuti. C'è una persona nascosta nell'attico. Ricorda qualcosa? Si, anche a me. Tutta la storia sa di già letto e non c'è nulla che riesca a coinvolgere. Il libro è scritto dal punto di vista di Eliza ma nessun suo pensiero o azione è riuscito a farmela piacere, o almeno a renderla sopportabile.
Fondamentalmente non ho amato questo libro per lo stesso motivo per cui non amo i film horror. Sono insensati e non riesco mai ad immedesimarmi in nessuno dei proagonisti (e si, anche perchè mi fanno paura). Prendiamo questo libro; viene detto che Eliza è la settima governante/istitutrice ad entrare in quella casa in un anno e che 4 delle precedenti sono morte, una è scappata in tutta fretta e un altra ha avuto degli 'strani incidenti'. Nonostante tutto nessuno si fà delle domande, nessuno ha dubbi, nessuno si chiede perché. Sono morte 4 governanti in un anno in quella casa, converrete tutti che la cosa è ALQUANTO strana però nessuno le crede quando lei parla di fantasmi, una (o due, non ricordo) dissero che la casa era infestata dai fantasma ma nessuno cic rede, tutti sono convinti che sia frutto ella loro immaginazione. Una persona passi ma tre no, cavolo, un minimo di dubbio devono fartelo venire. Nessuno che aiuti Eliza, nessuno che le dia informazioni. Nulla. 

kimble73's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

read4dessert's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense

3.5