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A review by kime
The Home by Sarah Stovell
5.0
This book has one of the best and one of the most engaging first pages that I’ve ever read. I read it, and then I went back and read it again because I loved it so much. It painted a picture of two people that were so very unique. As a small taster, how about this for intriguing:
“I can picture her now, sweeping up the aisle
towards me…only her, white faced and spectral, her black dress whispering across the floor… There might be flowers too, black tulips in her hand, black roses at the altar.
…We were young, it was true. We were fragile, too. But we weren’t fragile like flowers. We were fragile like bombs.”
Okay, seriously, how can anyone not be intrigued by that? A black wedding dress, black tulips and black roses. Bombs. Oooh, this book had me, right there, right on the first page.
I know I’m starting to sound like a stuck record when I describe the thrillers that I read this way, but this psychological thriller is dark! But really, there is no better way to describe this devastatingly emotional, raw, real and shocking tale of three damaged young girls who live in a home for abused and neglected children.
This story is narrated primarily by Hope and Annie, two 15-year-old girls with backgrounds that will bring tears to your eyes. It’s one of those stories that will make you feel very uncomfortable, that will shock you, but which will keep you turning each page at a rapid rate. As the respective lives and backgrounds of Hope and Annie are disclosed, their stories are, quite simply, depressing as hell. We’re talking psychological abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, manipulation, drug abuse, prostitution, murder, suicide and so the list goes on. At this stage, you’re probably thinking that this sounds like an atrocious read. But wait, don’t go!
This is one of my favourite reads of the year. The writing is so beautiful, and often in contrast to the difficult subject matter. There were paragraphs in this book that I read two, sometimes three times. The observations made by some of the characters were so deep, even though they were themselves young, and I loved so many of the sentences that I read in this book. And although this is a psychological thriller, there is a lot of mystery and suspense throughout this book. Ultimately, this is a murder mystery but it’s told in such a different way, with such real and genuine characters. They are characters that you’ll get to know inside and out. Your heart will pump extra fast while reading about the lives of these girls, that I promise you.
While I was reading this book, it took over my world. I was so immersed in this story that I couldn’t tear myself away, even sitting in front of the TV with my husband, me wearing my noise reducing headphones so that I could read because I couldn’t put the book down for our evening routine. It’s a story that will punch you in the gut, and that will hang around thereafter, tickling your synapses when you least expect it. You’ll finish this book and it will stay with you, you’ll continue to think about it and it will be difficult to let go of the characters. If you’re looking for an easy-going, fun, fuzzy read, then I don’t advise that you pick this one up. But, if like me, you love gorgeous writing, stories that reflected the grubby world that we live in, dark events that open your eyes to the evil in the world, and dramatic characters then this is for you. Loved it!
Wow, I’m seriously on such a good reading streak at the moment. Long may it last!
“I can picture her now, sweeping up the aisle
towards me…only her, white faced and spectral, her black dress whispering across the floor… There might be flowers too, black tulips in her hand, black roses at the altar.
…We were young, it was true. We were fragile, too. But we weren’t fragile like flowers. We were fragile like bombs.”
Okay, seriously, how can anyone not be intrigued by that? A black wedding dress, black tulips and black roses. Bombs. Oooh, this book had me, right there, right on the first page.
I know I’m starting to sound like a stuck record when I describe the thrillers that I read this way, but this psychological thriller is dark! But really, there is no better way to describe this devastatingly emotional, raw, real and shocking tale of three damaged young girls who live in a home for abused and neglected children.
This story is narrated primarily by Hope and Annie, two 15-year-old girls with backgrounds that will bring tears to your eyes. It’s one of those stories that will make you feel very uncomfortable, that will shock you, but which will keep you turning each page at a rapid rate. As the respective lives and backgrounds of Hope and Annie are disclosed, their stories are, quite simply, depressing as hell. We’re talking psychological abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, manipulation, drug abuse, prostitution, murder, suicide and so the list goes on. At this stage, you’re probably thinking that this sounds like an atrocious read. But wait, don’t go!
This is one of my favourite reads of the year. The writing is so beautiful, and often in contrast to the difficult subject matter. There were paragraphs in this book that I read two, sometimes three times. The observations made by some of the characters were so deep, even though they were themselves young, and I loved so many of the sentences that I read in this book. And although this is a psychological thriller, there is a lot of mystery and suspense throughout this book. Ultimately, this is a murder mystery but it’s told in such a different way, with such real and genuine characters. They are characters that you’ll get to know inside and out. Your heart will pump extra fast while reading about the lives of these girls, that I promise you.
While I was reading this book, it took over my world. I was so immersed in this story that I couldn’t tear myself away, even sitting in front of the TV with my husband, me wearing my noise reducing headphones so that I could read because I couldn’t put the book down for our evening routine. It’s a story that will punch you in the gut, and that will hang around thereafter, tickling your synapses when you least expect it. You’ll finish this book and it will stay with you, you’ll continue to think about it and it will be difficult to let go of the characters. If you’re looking for an easy-going, fun, fuzzy read, then I don’t advise that you pick this one up. But, if like me, you love gorgeous writing, stories that reflected the grubby world that we live in, dark events that open your eyes to the evil in the world, and dramatic characters then this is for you. Loved it!
Wow, I’m seriously on such a good reading streak at the moment. Long may it last!