A review by wellreadsinger
The Good House by Tananarive Due

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Tananarive Due has mastered what it means to craft horror that does not have to stand solely on the paranormal for it to be scary or unsettling. The monsters in our reality are not always possessed by otherworldly spirits, but simply consumed by their own envy, lust, pride, etc. The most frightening thing for any parent is living in the aftermath of losing a child like Angela Toussaint lost Corey. The most unnerving horror stories are ones that echo the everyday trauma of the pain we have had to live through in our time on this earth.

The little town of Sacajawea felt larger than life in this novel filled with twists and turns down roads no one would want to travel alone. Every character in this book feels three dimensional and layered just like the plot. Due effortlessly navigates through time periods and multiple POVs in this generational tale with strong themes of spiritual and ancestral connection, community, and the beauty of cultural overlap. It is arguable that if this novel were 60 pages shorter it still would have been just as impactful, however the slow-build to the climax and inevitable conclusion makes every page worth it. 

The Good House is a testament to Due’s dedication to perfecting her craft and how much the genre needs her continued commitment to giving black characters room to flourish in the horror space. Gramma Marie, whose presence is felt throughout these pages literally and figuratively, asks Angela to consider what she wants her miracle to be. Maybe your miracle is feeling free in a way that is personal to you. Maybe your miracle is a deeper connection to those that came before you, discovery of self, or choosing yourself. Whatever you want your miracle to be, remember that it is up to you to decide.