The House

This book was a disappointment. I liked the first 100 pages or so and it started out with an interesting premise. A couple move into a house they bought for a steal with the condition that they have to clear out the previous owners belongings. As they do this, a “disturbing discovery” in made in the attic by Jack (the boyfriend) who decides to not tell his girlfriend for no apparent reason. Meanwhile, Syd (the girlfriend) befriends in a very odd way the little girl that lives in the house behind theirs who seems to be hiding something. As the book progresses the perspective shifts from Jack to Syd as you discover they're writing their “versions” of what happens (you find out why later) and that's where the story fell apart for me. The synopsis gave me a strong suspense vibe, maybe even horror, but turned out to be more sad than anything else. There was a “who dun it” (sorta) but the twist was predictable and underwhelming by the time it finally came around. The only real positive I can give this book is that it's a fast read, so at least you won't waste too much time on it if you're as disappointed as I was with the plot.

(Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

'This thing I've planned for so carefully: it has all gone drastically, horribly wrong.''

Well, this proved to be a very difficult review for me to write. Not because I didn't like the book, obviously. I didn't just ‘'like'' it, I enjoyed it so much that I started composing bits and pieces of my review at around 50% mark. The ‘'problem'' is that there are so many twists and turns and hidden secrets in the story that I was terrified I would slip up and spoil everything. So, this is going to be short.

We follow the story of Syd and Jack, a young couple who has just been offered a deal for a house that they've never believed would come to them. The house is an impressive building, in a beautiful London neighbourhood and it is as if it ‘'chose'' them for its owners. However, Jack has a feeling that there is something dodgy with the house and especially with the circumstances under which the previous owner left all of his belongings behind to start a new life in Australia following a woman he met online.

The writing style is something that I haven't seen recently and it is engaging and makes the book flow nicely. It is an exchange- in written form- between Syd and Jack, their experiences before they met each other, their life together, an attempt to clarify their thoughts and make sense of the things that have happened to them.Because of this technique, we don't have elaborate speeches and complex descriptions. We have clear interactions and everyday language, but given in a coherent way, as if we're eavesdropping the discussion between two people, as if we're reading their diaries.There is nothing pretentious and Simon Lelic has done a wonderful job.

To say anything about the characters is a risk, because I'm unable to refer to them without giving away parts of the plot. I'm just going to say that Syd and Jack are people you will care about and they will lead you safely throughout the story. Syd was especially interesting, a complex character that was well-matched to her more vulnerable, more thoughtful partner.Also, there are two ‘'fathers'' whose behaviour is going to a) make you furious, and b) give you nightmares.

The moments where the writer takes us back in time and lets us into the past of the characters are amazingly composed and they are integral to the whole story. They aren't just background information, they are linked to the troubles of the present. Here is where writers show their ability to go back and forth in time, all the while keeping the readers interested and invested in the plot. I'm saying this because one could risk a comparison between ‘'The House'' and ‘'The Upstairs Room''. And yet, these books couldn't have been more different. ‘'The House'' achieved everything ‘'The Upstairs Rooms'' tried to do and failed.

Simon Lelic has created a unique thriller. It starts with suspicions that something paranormal might have taken over the house, it has strong elements of domestic thriller and themes like violence, secrets, despair, the wish to right the wrong and learning to live with wounds that refuse to heal. It is a novel that will not disappoint you and thank God I concluded this review without any spoilers.

Many thanks to Penguin UK and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.