Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer My Life at Rose Red
Author: Joyce Reardon, Ellen Rimbauer, Ridley Pearson
ISBN-13: 9780786890439
ISBN-10: 0786890436
Publication Date: 4/2002
Pages: 272
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 234

3.5 stars, based on 234 ratings
Publisher: Hyperion
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

66 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
I got into this book not being aware of all the hype back in 2002 when Stephen King produced a mini-series based on this same subject. (Yes, I do live on this planet!) Almost right from the start of the book I began to wonder if this story was non-fiction, as presented, or fiction. After all, who would sell a dust-covered, unopened diary that had been part of a nortorious estate? And what bride sits down and spends an hour writing in her diary just before her wedding - like she has nothing else to do? So I started looking around the net and found that this is, indeed, a work of fiction by author Ridley Pearson, (who coincidentally has written a book entitled The Art of Deception.) The following is a quote from thebookhaven.homestead by book reviewer Amy Coffin (how apt!):

"Rose Red is a haunted house with a disturbing past. The Seattle mansion was constructed at the turn of the 20th century. Oil magnate John Rimbauer built the house for his bride, Ellen. From the early stages of construction, the house is rocked by tragedy and scandal... Stephen King created a mini-series based on the Rimbauer domicile. Rose Red documents the work of Dr. Joyce Reardon in her attempt to unlock the secrets of the house before it's demolished. The troubled history of Rose Red and its inhabitants are the subjects of Dr. Reardon's life-long work...

NEWS FLASH: Everything described up to this point is fiction. Only the mini-series creator is real, leaving questions regarding the authorship of the book (which were answered in mid-2002.)

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer is merely a physical prop of King's Rose Red mini-series. However, the book stands well on its own to a point.

The diary format gives readers a voyeuristic thrill. The entries are quite detailed, full of fear and sexual energy. Rose Red becomes more and more frightening up to the final page. After reading the book, you'll want to see the mini-series, meaning the tie-in succeeds in its intentions.

As it is, this fictitious diary, written by a fictitious author living in a fictitious house, edited by a fictitious paranormal expert makes for interesting reading...

Upon completion of The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer, be prepared to view Stephen King's mini-series. No doubt Rose Red answers the many questions left by this mysterious diary and its namesake."
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This is a hard to put down diary. The website connected to Joyce Reardon's research is very interesting to visit. A must Summer's read. You won't beable to put it down! I read it in one long hot Sunday and planned to seek out Rose Red on my next trip to Seattle, Wash.
stbaby14 avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This is about Ellen Rimbauer's life before Rose Red, and during. This tells of how she became sick from her husband and how she met Sukeena and how the house was created, and how she wanted it to continue to be created. I must say this is actually like a real diary, excessive in detail. The only reason I post it as 4.5 is the fact that, just like a real diary, there are parts you really don't care about.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I actually saw the start of this movie and loved it so much I ran right out to get it so I could see the end. I ended up getting the book because I didn't want to wait for it to come in! =-) This is a good, creepy tale about a woman named Ellen who marries a wealthy man and comes home to a house he has built for her. Strange things begin to happen in the house, disappearances (including her daughter) and the house seeming to have a life of its own-it literally changes its own walls! Now in modern time, Dr. Reardon decides to take it upon himself to discover the secrets of the house once and for all. LOVED the story. Save it for a stormy night!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on
Helpful Score: 4
I found this book really interesting to the point I had to google after to see if this house really exists! Enjoy!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A must read for fans of Stephen King's Rose Red. I loved it!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Very interesting and provocative look at both the life of a young rich wife and the posessed house in which they lived. I kept rereading the book jacket to make sure it was not a novel, but a true and accurate accounting of what her life was like. A real page turner, stayed up WAY too late on the 2nd night, just to finish it!
jazzysmom avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 907 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Spook from the first page. The house is posessed and the young wife is keeping a journal of happenings. I am still a bit in the dark as i'm still not sure if this is fiction or nonfiction. There was a scandal at the time Rose Red was being built and the happenings became public. The book is edited by Joyce Reardon PH.D. and as part of her research the diary is being published as preparations are being made by the Dr. to enter Rose Red and fully investigate it's disturbing history. Very good read. Fiction of nonfiction it's scary.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Interesting as a first person diary; good old fashioned ghost story.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The book kept moving along well but it was not as sppoky as I would have thought. there is debate if it is a true story or not, I think that would change my perception...if it were true, it would be some creepy stuff, if not, it's more just interesting. I would be interested to watch the movie now!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A haunting story about paranormal activities taking place in a spectacular mansion in 1900's Seattle. A work of fiction by a well-known suspense writer, The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer reads like a real diary. But is she crazy or is this really happening to her - you decide.
luluinphilly avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 367 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
After watching "Rose Red" on TV, I wanted to get this book. It took a while before I saw it in a used book store. I was slightly disappointed since the movie took place mostly in current time while the book took place in the early 20th century. After I got past that, I read it and watched the movie again. Made it more enjoyable!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A must read. Love this book. Had some scary moments, but Ellens life story is so traumatic
skywaywaver avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 148 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A little hard to buy that this is a true story, but a good read anyway, especially if you are into early 1900's America.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The book was great and was very similar to the movie but better.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 209 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is the best 'fiction' book I believe I ever read. Until I read all the way through and realized that there is a great sense of story telling here. I highly recommend this book to readers who are fascinated by the occult, bizarre and paranormal. Worth every minute of reading!!!!!
Carwells avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very good book. I had already seen the movie and it seemed to follow right along. I had a hard time putting it down. Written in diary form and you felt like you were right there with Ellen Rimbauer.
ilovedale3 avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 524 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A book so good that you can't believe it's not real.

This book provides the backstory for the Stephen King mini-series "Rose Red"
passn2cre8 avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting true story of Ellen Rimbauer and her haunted house in Seattle. From her diary and written by researchers researching paranormal activities.
callmedoc avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer is a deeper look into the history of the not so well received miniseries/film, Rose Red. In format of the title, it takes written entries of Ellen's accounting the abnormal and more darkly aspects of both the estate she is to eventually be married into with John Rimbauer as well his unique sexual appetites. It is a story of misdirection, madness, broken hearts and broken dreams, and an evil place where women vanish and men are found dead.

With that being said, on a more personal note, I was an avid fan of the concept for Rose Red and found a genuine enjoyment for the series as well it's characters and setting. The book, I had been wishing for to further open my eyes to the back lore of Rose Red itself and understand the past inhabitants as well more divinely terrifying disappearances it is so mentioned of in the film. The experience to say the least left me vexed and highly taken the wind out of my sails. There are genuine moments of insight that bring a raised eye to the supernatural and genuinely sinister world but these moments are quickly eaten up by more dull daily happenings.

We are met with a variety of different considerations for what Rose red is, if the evil may be in Ellen, if it might be the knowledge of the estate being built upon an Indian Burial ground or if there is something more, something worse. Plots are brought up and then chewed away for some other alternative and it never concludes the realization of the true evil. Plot elements differ than what is mentioned in the show on " official records " and lord help me I felt the writer to be grotesquely taken with the sexual writings.

Rose Red has the ambition of concept. It's the Shining realized with greater purpose and more horrifying conclusions. The book however may prove a disappointment to those who were seeking a rough ride as one might expect of King and those that write alongside him. I may not regret reading it but just like the original group trapped inside, I wanted the hell out eventually.
MsGnomer avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
not the best book in the world, but it does keep you reading it!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is great. It is about a lady that lives in a house that was built over an indian burial ground in Seattle WA and the house takes on a spirit of its own. This is a very intriguing read and will keep you hooked.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The book is meant to be a diary of a woman in the early 1900's, so keep that in mind as you read it. The language and pacing are reflective of that time - i.e., a bit slower than our current super fast-paced world and with a larger vocabulary.
That said, it actually adds to the authentic feel of the diary. I enjoyed it. I understand the book was actually commissioned to be written as a kind of unofficial promotion for the tv-movie Rose Red. It did its job - after reading about poor Ellen's trials in the possessed house, I am eager to re-watch the film (I saw it once, years ago) and see how many details mentioned in the book made it into the film. The film is not a re-telling of the book. The book is actually set up as if it was a diary found by Joyce Reardon - the researcher that later enters Rose Red with a team of psychics in order to re-awaken the spirit of the house. ( Can't say that seems like a very good idea, considering all the horrible things the house did when awake. )
I had a good time reading it... I won't say I was on the edge of my seat, but it was very interesting. I felt bad for poor Ellen - stuck in a marriage to a man that turns out to be very different from what she expected. I fell in love with her maid-turned-friend from darkest Africa - the mysterious and powerful Sukeena. The book draws you in without you even being aware that it's happening. Good stuff!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was fascinated by this book. I really don't know if I subscribe to the theory of the house causing all the disturbances, but what I do know is something horrible and awful was happening in Ellen's life. What a tale of high-society, turn of the century life if nothing else.... but the "ghost story" was great too.
Hissy-Fitz avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An odd little book if ever there was one. King went to great lengths to make this look like a true story, with his name appearing nowhere on it that I could find. It is a tribute to his talent and tenacity that there are evidently people who still believe this isn't a work of fiction.


A well written, very spooky story.
IlliniAlum83 avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 181 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
True Story! Diary entries by a Seattle socialite in the early 1900's whose haunted mansion becomes the research topic of a paranormal investigator. Limited editting by researcher to reduce the graphic sexual content. Story turned into a TV movie by Stephen King.
Unlike any other "ghost" story I've read! This story has seances, seers,mental instability, sexual abuse of servants, violent deaths, suicide,appearances or moving of objects in the house, disappearances/abductions by the mansion itself! Researcher's further writings need to be explored!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 469 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
At the turn of the twentieth century, Ellen Rimbauer, the young bride of Seattle industrialist John Rimbauer, began keeping a remarkable diary. This diary became the secret place where Ellen could confess her anxieties about her new marriage, express her confusion over her emerging sexuality, and contemplate the nightmare that her life was becoming. The diary not only follows the development of a girl into womanhood, it follows the construction of the Rimbauer mansion--called Rose Red--an enormous home that would be the site of so many horrific and inexplicable tragedies in the years ahead.
shanna71 avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 145 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I do believe this is a fictional account. It was, however a very good book. I believe there is a large mansion somewhere , I recall hearing of it on tv, but it was not "Rimbauer" or "Rose Red". The book does say fiction on the spine. Using numerous search engines, I found no missing actress by the name of Deanna Petrie. So, very obviously fictional. Good book, nevertheless.
Pearl00Girl avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I couldn't put it down knowing that it was a true account. I stopped reading all the other books I was in the middle of when this came in the mailbox, and I was even late for work two days! Ellen's account of ths dissapearances and the entrancement of their marriage kept me reading every second I had free. A must read for those who enjoy true life ghost stories. Knowing in the back of my mind that she was crazy for the last half made me more inept to keep reading. Who knows what others really thought of Ellen...
Bernie avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. Read it the night it arrived. A woman in victorian times moves into a grand home her husband built. Strange things happen there, people go missing IN the house. I had to read it just for that. Well worth the read. Via Ellen's diary, you found out how the house almost seems to have a life of its own.
AllieFWilliam avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 97 more book reviews
This book was a little hard to get into but once I did, I couldn't put it down. Fascinating.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 21 more book reviews
Hard to put down, so good!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 1568 more book reviews
Wow! Couldn't put it down. I'm not going to add anything to the cover blurb except that I really want to see if the upcoming move/TV show does the book justice. I highly recommend this one.

From back cover: At the turn of the twentieth century, Ellen Rimbauer became the young bride of Seattle industrialist John Rimbauer, and began keeping a remarkable diary. This diary became the secret place where Ellen could confess her fears of the new marriage, her confusion over her emerging sexuality, and the nightmare that her life would become. The diary not only follows the development of a girl into womanhood, it follows the construction of the Rimbauer mansion -- called Rose Red -- an enormous home that would be the site of so many horrific and inexplicable tragedies in the years ahead.

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red is a rare document, one that gives us an unusual view of daily life among the aristocracy in the early 1900s, a window into one woman's hidden emotional torment, and a record of the mysterious events at Rose Red that scandalized Seattle society at the time -- events that can only be fully understood now that the diary has come to light. Edited by Joyce Reardon, Ph.D. as part of her research, the diary is being published as preparations are being made by Dr. Reardon to enter Rose Red and fully investigate its disturbing history.
ckirk762 avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 34 more book reviews
So I vaguely remember watching the miniseries that this book ties into years ago. I do remember that towards the end of it I thought the researcher that was investigating the house was herself insane, so you almost have to wonder if Rose Red herself draws insane people to her (you know, even though this is all fake - the miniseries, the book, etc) Anyway, I enjoyed the book pretty well, enough to recommend reading it if you come across a copy at the library or a used book store. It gives a good background for the miniseries though you don't have to have read it enjoy the show nor do you have to have ever seen the show to enjoy the book...
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 5 more book reviews
The book is much better than the movie
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 25 more book reviews
I loved this book! Very creepy!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 26 more book reviews
I really liked this story i read this book before the movie Rose Red came out really give you insight into the movie!
WhidbeyIslander avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 717 more book reviews
Pretty boring for the first 100 pages of details of the "authoress" writing about her life in 1900's Seattle, then her 'round-the-world honeymoon. Parts of it within the house itself are okay, but there are much better haunted house stories around. Lots of skimming, as with most Stephen King books.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 16 more book reviews
A Diary by Ellen Rimbauer whom resided at Rose Red. The book is edited by Joyce Reardon, Ph.D. and with an afterword by Steven Rimbauer. The book is very interesting and leaves alot to the imagination.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 7 more book reviews
a good thriller
iwan2read avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red" is a rare document, one that gives us an unusual view of daily life among the aristocracy in the early 1900s, a window into one woman's hidden emotional torment, and a record of the mysterious events at Rose Red that scandalized society at the time. Edited by Joyce Reardon, Ph.D., as part of her research, the diary is being published as preparations are being made by Dr. Reardon to enter Rose Red and fully investigate it's disturbing history.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 19 more book reviews
Good book. Easy read. If you've seen the movies(s) based on this book you won't be disappointed.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 91 more book reviews
This was a hauntingly wonderful book.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 14 more book reviews
I think the movie Rose Red was based on this book. Creepy, if this is a true story.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on
Great book!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on
great book
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 68 more book reviews
I wish there was more too it, but he did seem to cut a lot out. I haven't gone to the website to see if anyone of the rest of it is still up. But It was great. Now I am renting the movie to this one, and the rose red movie too. Watch them both in a row, get the full affect. :)
aphrodite26 avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 81 more book reviews
I liked this book good addition to the movie Rose Red.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 30 more book reviews
Excellent horror story.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 12 more book reviews
Is it true? Is it fiction? It's a good read!

A mysterious and haunting spirit lurks within the walls of Rose Red, the setting for Stephen King's upcoming ABC miniseries tie-in by the same name. Built on a Native American burial ground in early 20th-century Seattle, the mansion which is constantly under construction sets the scene for a multitude of inexplicable disappearances and ghastly deaths. While moody oil tycoon John Rimbauer refuses to acknowledge that the house has a mind of its own, his young wife, Ellen, dramatizes these eerie events with great detail in her diary, often personifying the house as if it were a living being. (Or, perhaps, a non-living being?) While the evolution of Ellen's character from innocent and submissive to frighteningly powerful is a slow process, the language and questioning nature of her entries entice the reader as the mystery of Rose Red is brought into full bloom. Ellen also reveals frustration and disappointment with her marriage namely her husband's unfaithfulness and alarmingly frequent involvement in voyeuristic activities as well as a growing confusion about her sexual identity and attachment to her friend and African handmaid, Sukeena. In addition to extensive dialogue that makes the diary seem a tad more like a novel than someone's personal confessions, Ellen's entries are accompanied by a handful of explanatory notes put in by the "editor" and supposed professor of paranormal studies, Joyce Reardon. The people mentioned in the diary, as well as Reardon, are all characters in Rose Red, which was created directly for television by the bestselling author. As to who penned the actual text of the diary? That remains as much of a mystery as Rose Red herself.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 47 more book reviews
based on a true story, made into a movie by about the haunted house called "rose red" by stephen king
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 15 more book reviews
This book is an awesome addition to the movie Rose Red. It's very interesting and I loved it!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 7 more book reviews
Atmospheric and spooky.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 24 more book reviews
This book kept me reading it from cover to cover.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 22 more book reviews
Nice back story about Rose Red.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 10 more book reviews
i loved this book and have read it many times.
Linda avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 770 more book reviews
This book is in mint condition.....

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red is a rare document, one that gives us an unusual view of daily life among the aristocracy in the early 1900s, a window into one woman's hidden emotional torment, and a record of the mysterious events at Rose Red that scandalized society at the time.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 4 more book reviews
I found this book to be very crazy like. Much like the movie.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 8 more book reviews
I enjoyed this movie and the book.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 23 more book reviews
This is the diary keptby Ellen Rimbauer about her life at "Rose Red".
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 272 more book reviews
I loved the movie, Rose Red, and I loved this book.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 12 more book reviews
This book is so scary, and is awesome!
cef424 avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 67 more book reviews
Very good book and the TV Movie was good too.
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 97 more book reviews
Loved it!
reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 175 more book reviews
Pretty good story! Not big horror fan but this one will keep you gripped throughout the book. This copy is a used copy from a used copy place so it's a reading copy not a collectible copy. Worth the read (hey it's free) and then pass it on...
ukulady avatar reviewed The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red on + 91 more book reviews
First of all this is tripe. Secondly it is FICTION. The fact that it is sold as a "true" or "based on true" story only makes it more offensive.