Helpful Score: 2
This is a really good ghost story! Creepy and hard to put down. The fact that it takes place in Dickens' time (with an appearance of Dickens in the tale)adds to the suspense with elements like candlelight and a large old house. It kept me up in the wee hours and left me a bit unsettled in the end. Everything I love in a ghost story! Well done!
Helpful Score: 2
This is quite simply a good old fashioned ghost story. Each chapter builds upon the previous with little leaks of information that heightens the suspense of the narrative until it reaches the conclusion.
Helpful Score: 2
At the outset, I rather imagined this book would read in a delightful The Ghost and Mrs. Muir sort of way. I was very wrong.
This House Is Haunted is the tale of Eliza Caine, a 21-year-old spinster-to-be living in London in 1867. After the death of her father, Eliza accepts the position as a Governess for two children at Gaudlin Hall in Norfolk. Still grieving and having never before left London, Eliza has no idea what is to await her. However, even in her wildest dreams she could not have guessed the situation she was about to step into.
I loved the inclusion of Charles Dickens into this story and, being quite a Dickensiophile (?), loved how the prose was inspired as such. Much like Eliza, I had not an inkling of an idea of what was awaiting her at Gaudlin Hall, however the puzzle pieces are very large, and once you get the first and second pieces its easy to guess what the picture is going to be at the end.
There a few abrupt transitions that didnt sit with me very well. In at least two different spots a chapter starts out describing something that just happened which wasnt in the text at all. Of course, not every moment of Elizas time needs to be accounted for to enjoy the story, but in both of these occasions the missing tales are rather important and I am left wondering what was behind the choice to leave them out completely.
I am also rather confused as to Isabellas motivations near the end of the book (thats a tip-toe around a spoiler if Ive ever written one), but Boyne did a good job of making her just enough of a throw-away character to not be too worried about her choices, and to be surprised at the end.
I really did enjoy this book and it flew by. A perfect read for a dark and stormy evening.
Trigger Warnings: violence, gore, sexual abuse of children (insinuated), incest (insinuated), mental illness.
This House Is Haunted is the tale of Eliza Caine, a 21-year-old spinster-to-be living in London in 1867. After the death of her father, Eliza accepts the position as a Governess for two children at Gaudlin Hall in Norfolk. Still grieving and having never before left London, Eliza has no idea what is to await her. However, even in her wildest dreams she could not have guessed the situation she was about to step into.
I loved the inclusion of Charles Dickens into this story and, being quite a Dickensiophile (?), loved how the prose was inspired as such. Much like Eliza, I had not an inkling of an idea of what was awaiting her at Gaudlin Hall, however the puzzle pieces are very large, and once you get the first and second pieces its easy to guess what the picture is going to be at the end.
There a few abrupt transitions that didnt sit with me very well. In at least two different spots a chapter starts out describing something that just happened which wasnt in the text at all. Of course, not every moment of Elizas time needs to be accounted for to enjoy the story, but in both of these occasions the missing tales are rather important and I am left wondering what was behind the choice to leave them out completely.
I am also rather confused as to Isabellas motivations near the end of the book (thats a tip-toe around a spoiler if Ive ever written one), but Boyne did a good job of making her just enough of a throw-away character to not be too worried about her choices, and to be surprised at the end.
I really did enjoy this book and it flew by. A perfect read for a dark and stormy evening.
Trigger Warnings: violence, gore, sexual abuse of children (insinuated), incest (insinuated), mental illness.
Helpful Score: 1
I love haunted house tales like this! Isolated, gothic setting with resident malevolent ghost. In a way it reminds me of Turning of the Screw (governess, two children, limited staff), but much more satisfying due to a rousing plot that made sense and even a few touching scenes. The creep factor was low key but a steady build, and I was even jumping at shadows. I'm glad I found this one! 4 stars.
A really good ghost tale is delightful to read but hard to find. Eliza Caine, whose cherished father dies after attending a ghost story reading by Charles Dickens, discovers the house she knew as home is a rental. Within a week, she must move and begin to earn a living. Working a teacher to young girls which paid a pittance, she knows she loves children, which fortifies her determination as she applies for a governess position.
It's 1867, she is twenty-one when she moves to Gaudlin Hall, to become governess for two children. The children are Eustace, a charming little boy with a ready smile, and Isabella, more remote exhibiting unusual adult-like behavior. Strangely, no parents appear. Then she discovers that the advertisment was placed by the woman who was governoress before her.
Comments from the children coupled with unusual interactions with the townspeople, she learns that she is the sixth governess of the year. As she begins her new role, she encounters unusual and strange happenings. She cannot open doors that others can, she hears footsteps but no one is there, windows won't open, unusual strong winds buffet her in and out of the mansion. And, oddly, three of the previous governesses died through terrible accidents. Is she dreaming, reacting to grief for her father, or imagining it all? No, she recognizes that a malicious and threatening presence appears to focus not on the children, but on she herself. Does Eliza have the courage to find what is happening and the courage to confront that presence?
A simple Gothic story with a few humorous characters such as Heckling, a grumpy but good natured soul, and Mrs. Livermore, whose comings and goings are almost like magic. This tale keeps one on edge as it unfolds and will appeal to all who like to read a stirring ghost story occasionally.
It's 1867, she is twenty-one when she moves to Gaudlin Hall, to become governess for two children. The children are Eustace, a charming little boy with a ready smile, and Isabella, more remote exhibiting unusual adult-like behavior. Strangely, no parents appear. Then she discovers that the advertisment was placed by the woman who was governoress before her.
Comments from the children coupled with unusual interactions with the townspeople, she learns that she is the sixth governess of the year. As she begins her new role, she encounters unusual and strange happenings. She cannot open doors that others can, she hears footsteps but no one is there, windows won't open, unusual strong winds buffet her in and out of the mansion. And, oddly, three of the previous governesses died through terrible accidents. Is she dreaming, reacting to grief for her father, or imagining it all? No, she recognizes that a malicious and threatening presence appears to focus not on the children, but on she herself. Does Eliza have the courage to find what is happening and the courage to confront that presence?
A simple Gothic story with a few humorous characters such as Heckling, a grumpy but good natured soul, and Mrs. Livermore, whose comings and goings are almost like magic. This tale keeps one on edge as it unfolds and will appeal to all who like to read a stirring ghost story occasionally.
3.5 stars This is a fast paced easy, to read ghost story that was perfect to read in October. The story was entertaining and at times spooky. The writing was a bit simple which knocked my rating down by 1/2 star.
What an amazing and wonderful, spooky, thrilling, tasteful, awesomely written ghost story! From page one I was totally sucked in and became devoted to reading this book within a day. I had waited a long time for this one.
The story takes place in the Victorian days, candlelight by night, horse and carriage, spooky foggy London streets and all that great stuff I wish I could have experienced in real life. Charles Dickens has just caught the eye of everyone in the country. His stories have wowed them through newspapers, periodicals and in live presentation.
The main character's father dies after attending one of Charles Dickens ghostly readings. A few days later she comes across a newspaper ad for a Governess. The ad is short and mysterious.
She takes the job, looking after 2 children. A boy and a girl. Then the story and all its glory begins.
Many governess' have come before her, in a short amount of time and she must ask why. Where are the children's parents, why do the children act strangely from time to time, why is she seeing shadows, hearing voices, seeing things that could not be there.
This was a beautiful story and had me crying a bit and explaining that would ruin everything for the reader. The book had an excellent ending too.
I deff recommend this one!
The story takes place in the Victorian days, candlelight by night, horse and carriage, spooky foggy London streets and all that great stuff I wish I could have experienced in real life. Charles Dickens has just caught the eye of everyone in the country. His stories have wowed them through newspapers, periodicals and in live presentation.
The main character's father dies after attending one of Charles Dickens ghostly readings. A few days later she comes across a newspaper ad for a Governess. The ad is short and mysterious.
She takes the job, looking after 2 children. A boy and a girl. Then the story and all its glory begins.
Many governess' have come before her, in a short amount of time and she must ask why. Where are the children's parents, why do the children act strangely from time to time, why is she seeing shadows, hearing voices, seeing things that could not be there.
This was a beautiful story and had me crying a bit and explaining that would ruin everything for the reader. The book had an excellent ending too.
I deff recommend this one!
