Scan barcode
another_dahlia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship
eviecheesepuff's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was expecting ✨ghosts, poltergeists and jump scares ✨ Nope. This was pure psychology! I’m sorry but I will have to go into some SPOILERS to review this book, if you plan to read it…just know that it takes place in a haunted house (obs) and four very damaged idiots decide to ignore everyone’s warnings and live there for the summer to try and investigate the paranormal✌️
Lessons learned:
To me this book was trying to comment on three issues:
- On mental health. Eleanor’s unreliable mental state and actions. I wanted to hug her and take her away from the house myself. Her family's treatment towards her, deriving into anxiety and depression, was heartbreaking 🥺
-On the failure to fit into a traditional family structure. None of the mcs have a “regular” family, they have no place they belong. Eleanor just so happens to have the MOST on her shoulders.
-On queerness. This book was full of lesbians no? 🙌 The 'companion' of the previous lady of Hill House who had been hated by the family to the point of committing suicide? Theodora and her 'room mate'? Who are on a break. Eleanor wanting a life with Theo after the experiment is done. The super cute moments between them… ❤️ holding each other in bed, only admitting they had trousers when the other woman says she does too (wasn’t this gay code at some point?) 👀 When Eleanor shows revulsion to Theo’s touch (implying how hard it’s to ignore what society says you should feel)...
I think Eleanor’s demise did not come only from the house but because Theo refuses to carry on a life with her after the experiment. With nowhere to go and no one to love…what’s the point? 😭 That’s when sh*t really hit the fan for her y’all! To me THAT was the scariest part of the story.
Was I reading too much into it? Maybe...🤦♀️
notes
- A cup of stars. I love that. Eleanor is so precious.
- Luke is a soft boy that needs a hug.
- The Doc is kind of dumb thb I was expecting more from him. I like him in a Santa Claus kind of way… but he was NOT ready to take care of these people at all.
Lessons learned:
To me this book was trying to comment on three issues:
- On mental health. Eleanor’s unreliable mental state and actions. I wanted to hug her and take her away from the house myself. Her family's treatment towards her, deriving into anxiety and depression, was heartbreaking 🥺
-On the failure to fit into a traditional family structure. None of the mcs have a “regular” family, they have no place they belong. Eleanor just so happens to have the MOST on her shoulders.
-On queerness. This book was full of lesbians no? 🙌 The 'companion' of the previous lady of Hill House who had been hated by the family to the point of committing suicide? Theodora and her 'room mate'? Who are on a break. Eleanor wanting a life with Theo after the experiment is done. The super cute moments between them… ❤️ holding each other in bed, only admitting they had trousers when the other woman says she does too (wasn’t this gay code at some point?) 👀 When Eleanor shows revulsion to Theo’s touch (implying how hard it’s to ignore what society says you should feel)...
I think Eleanor’s demise did not come only from the house but because Theo refuses to carry on a life with her after the experiment. With nowhere to go and no one to love…what’s the point? 😭 That’s when sh*t really hit the fan for her y’all! To me THAT was the scariest part of the story.
Was I reading too much into it? Maybe...🤦♀️
notes
- A cup of stars. I love that. Eleanor is so precious.
- Luke is a soft boy that needs a hug.
- The Doc is kind of dumb thb I was expecting more from him. I like him in a Santa Claus kind of way… but he was NOT ready to take care of these people at all.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Lesbophobia
More...