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A review by ineffableverse
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
dark
funny
mysterious
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
What I love about Grady Hendrix's books?
For one, his writing is just so darn clever, fast-paced, and entertaining! It's Fun (note the capital 'F'), and it's often a tongue-in-cheek homage to the horror genre, using meta-analysis to make you take a step back and think. There's always more to the narrative than meets the eye at first glance; it's interwoven with layers and layers of meaning.
All of that is true for «How To Sell A Haunted House.»
Louise's parents have died unexpectedly, and now she and her estranged brother Mark must put aside their differences to deal with the family home. They are told it could fetch a very good price, once they've made it presentable. Easy, right? Clean it up a bit, add a few layers of fresh paint? Nope.
It's a hoarder's paradise, stuffed to the brim with creepy puppets and taxidermy, and it's got the unsettling atmosphere to match. While the siblings sift through the remnants of their parents' lives, Louise is trying very hard to pretend that nothing paranormal is going on. But getting attacked by a taxidermied squirrel nativity makes it kinda hard to turn a blind eye.
The story is like a fever dream, and Hendrix still manages to present a flawed brother-sister dynamic that feels utterly real.
At first, I was 100% invested in Louise's perspective: Yes, she has always done her best, and nobody has ever thanked her for it. Yes, Mark has always been selfish and lazy, and her parents have always let him get away with it, while Louise was left to fend for herself. Oh, the injustice. I was fuming.
But it's only when Hendrix switches to Mark's perspective that everything comes together in a complex picture that's psychologically sound. You realize that both siblings are unreliable narrators because they're dealing with a lot of emotional baggage.
Never mind that we are still in a haunted house – what's truly compelling is what's behind all of this, stripped down to the very real issues. When Hendrix reveals the true reason this house is haunted, I actually had a moment when I wanted to weep. It's perfect because it's so believable, in its own twisted way.
For one, his writing is just so darn clever, fast-paced, and entertaining! It's Fun (note the capital 'F'), and it's often a tongue-in-cheek homage to the horror genre, using meta-analysis to make you take a step back and think. There's always more to the narrative than meets the eye at first glance; it's interwoven with layers and layers of meaning.
All of that is true for «How To Sell A Haunted House.»
Louise's parents have died unexpectedly, and now she and her estranged brother Mark must put aside their differences to deal with the family home. They are told it could fetch a very good price, once they've made it presentable. Easy, right? Clean it up a bit, add a few layers of fresh paint? Nope.
It's a hoarder's paradise, stuffed to the brim with creepy puppets and taxidermy, and it's got the unsettling atmosphere to match. While the siblings sift through the remnants of their parents' lives, Louise is trying very hard to pretend that nothing paranormal is going on. But getting attacked by a taxidermied squirrel nativity makes it kinda hard to turn a blind eye.
The story is like a fever dream, and Hendrix still manages to present a flawed brother-sister dynamic that feels utterly real.
At first, I was 100% invested in Louise's perspective: Yes, she has always done her best, and nobody has ever thanked her for it. Yes, Mark has always been selfish and lazy, and her parents have always let him get away with it, while Louise was left to fend for herself. Oh, the injustice. I was fuming.
But it's only when Hendrix switches to Mark's perspective that everything comes together in a complex picture that's psychologically sound. You realize that both siblings are unreliable narrators because they're dealing with a lot of emotional baggage.
Never mind that we are still in a haunted house – what's truly compelling is what's behind all of this, stripped down to the very real issues. When Hendrix reveals the true reason this house is haunted, I actually had a moment when I wanted to weep. It's perfect because it's so believable, in its own twisted way.