lorialdenholuta's review against another edition
4.0
Author Patty Templeton slowly unravels three story yarns from their separate skeins: one strand is sturdy and of good ply, another is seemingly fragile and delicate enough for lacemaking, but surprisingly, strong enough for a noose, and the final one is blood-soaked and still dripping. Over the course of the book, the strands are knit together into a well-fitting cloak of conclusion.
Now that I’ve gotten that analogy out of my system, let’s move on.
This is a ghost story, make no mistake about it. But these ghosts don’t behave as you’d expect them to. One ghost stalks an unwilling lover, another bothers their brother, a tiny ghost torments its momma and charms its poppa. Misbehaving ghosts are a common occurrence in Patty Templeton’s skewed world.
We are clearly in the 1800s, in familiar American locales, but that’s about as far as that goes. The rules of life and death work differently here. While we only see how this affects certain people, I couldn’t help but wonder about the bigger view. With this many ghosts crowding into a few American locations, should I expect that millions… no, billions of ghosts are bound to people and places all over the world? How does this change humanity’s viewpoint on religion, death, love, murder, mercy, revenge… and ultimately a release from this by all accounts wretched existence?
This engrossing yet consternating adventure features the wonderfully bawdy, witty, meanspirited and weirdly beautiful manner of speaking that comes so naturally to the folks involved in this series of misadventures. Really, it’s a vernacularist’s dream come true.
This is the author’s debut and so far, only novel, but she more than makes up for that with its grandeur. Sixty-five chapters, two Epilogues, the Acknowledgements and an Afterward create a formidable book. But, the chapters are short nibbles, and interestingly, most paragraphs contain just one sentence. I find these contents and formatting add to the feeling of reading a book that was not published in my version of America.
If you find yourself nodding your head and making interested ‘huh!’ and ‘oh really?’ noises, you might qualify as one of this books contented readers. Jump in and find out!
Now that I’ve gotten that analogy out of my system, let’s move on.
This is a ghost story, make no mistake about it. But these ghosts don’t behave as you’d expect them to. One ghost stalks an unwilling lover, another bothers their brother, a tiny ghost torments its momma and charms its poppa. Misbehaving ghosts are a common occurrence in Patty Templeton’s skewed world.
We are clearly in the 1800s, in familiar American locales, but that’s about as far as that goes. The rules of life and death work differently here. While we only see how this affects certain people, I couldn’t help but wonder about the bigger view. With this many ghosts crowding into a few American locations, should I expect that millions… no, billions of ghosts are bound to people and places all over the world? How does this change humanity’s viewpoint on religion, death, love, murder, mercy, revenge… and ultimately a release from this by all accounts wretched existence?
This engrossing yet consternating adventure features the wonderfully bawdy, witty, meanspirited and weirdly beautiful manner of speaking that comes so naturally to the folks involved in this series of misadventures. Really, it’s a vernacularist’s dream come true.
This is the author’s debut and so far, only novel, but she more than makes up for that with its grandeur. Sixty-five chapters, two Epilogues, the Acknowledgements and an Afterward create a formidable book. But, the chapters are short nibbles, and interestingly, most paragraphs contain just one sentence. I find these contents and formatting add to the feeling of reading a book that was not published in my version of America.
If you find yourself nodding your head and making interested ‘huh!’ and ‘oh really?’ noises, you might qualify as one of this books contented readers. Jump in and find out!
chmccann's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so glad I found this gem! I was looking for a novel based on a true story for my 2019 reading challenge, and I wanted something that dovetails with my tastes. A few Google searches later, and I discovered a strange and darkly humorous take on the origins of the Winchester Mystery House. It's full of weird and eerie characters from the fringes of society, a peek at the underbelly of a wealthy household, plentiful ghosts, curses (accidental and deliberate), sentient buildings, mediums, theater folk, and a determined patent medicine showman.
Templeton really goes for it, using unconventional characters, unexpected plot turns, distinctive language, and gallows humor to tell a fantastical story that may be more true to Sarah Winchester than the common accounts of her. She's also not afraid to engage some real pathos, violence, and disturbing ideas. The haunting of Sarah isn't scary in the traditional ghost story sense, but horrifying in a very sad and affecting way.
But the real driver of the story is the unforgettable Hester Garlan. She's beautiful, clever, resourceful, and an absolute psychopath. I would hate to meet her, but I adored reading about her. (In my headcanon she's portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter with the perfect mix of beauty and dangerous insanity.)
We know all along that the main characters will come together somehow, but there are twists and turns along the way. Sometimes people sit out much of the action, only to pop in for the climax, and people who seem to be done for may actually have plenty of life left in them, while some who die of course stick around and participate anyway. It was fun seeing all the threads develop and come together.
Templeton really goes for it, using unconventional characters, unexpected plot turns, distinctive language, and gallows humor to tell a fantastical story that may be more true to Sarah Winchester than the common accounts of her. She's also not afraid to engage some real pathos, violence, and disturbing ideas. The haunting of Sarah isn't scary in the traditional ghost story sense, but horrifying in a very sad and affecting way.
But the real driver of the story is the unforgettable Hester Garlan. She's beautiful, clever, resourceful, and an absolute psychopath. I would hate to meet her, but I adored reading about her. (In my headcanon she's portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter with the perfect mix of beauty and dangerous insanity.)
We know all along that the main characters will come together somehow, but there are twists and turns along the way. Sometimes people sit out much of the action, only to pop in for the climax, and people who seem to be done for may actually have plenty of life left in them, while some who die of course stick around and participate anyway. It was fun seeing all the threads develop and come together.
aprilnc's review against another edition
5.0
A western steampun that is a wild ride full of ghosts, fighting, curses, death and more ghosts. A fun, unique read from beginning to the end. Loved it.
emmymau's review against another edition
5.0
Holy crap, what a ride. A sepia-toned, slightly off-tuned-calliope sounding ride. Templeton's prose alternately caresses your cheek, drawing you in, and grabs you by the back of the neck to shove your face into the squishy parts of this supernatural-tinged alt-history romp that swerves through a number of genres, always taking time to revel in the seedier, spookier parts of town. Just sit back and let the story unfold; I promise you'll be glad when you get there, happy ending or not.
If this book was a carnival ride, I'd have spent all of my tickets on it.
If this book was a carnival ride, I'd have spent all of my tickets on it.
acejolras's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Grief, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
Minor: Alcoholism and Animal cruelty
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