This House is Haunted by John Boyne
- Method of Obtaining: I obtained my copy from the publisher.
- Published by: Doubleday
- Release Date: 4.25.2013
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1867. Eliza Caine arrives in Norfolk to take up her position as governess at Gaudlin Hall on a dark and chilling night. As she makes her way across the station platform, a pair of invisible hands push her from behind into the path of an approaching train. She is only saved by the vigilance of a passing doctor.
When she finally arrives, shaken, at the hall she is greeted by the two children in her care, Isabella and Eustace. There are no parents, no adults at all, and no one to represent her mysterious employer. The children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room, a second terrifying experience further reinforces the sense that something is very wrong.
From the moment she rises the following morning, her every step seems dogged by a malign presence which lives within Gaudlin’s walls. Eliza realises that if she and the children are to survive its violent attentions, she must first uncover the hall’s long-buried secrets and confront the demons of its past.
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I’m a huge fan of gothic mysterious tales. From classics by the Bronte sisters to more modern day gothic tales written by authors like Kate Morton, I admit to being an absolute sucker for them. So it was with absolute glee that I requested access to This House is Haunted by John Boyne. Let me tell you right now, I was not disappointed. I laughed and loved every single minute of this story – and I am a scaredy-cat when it comes to truly scary stories so let me assure you that this one is not your typical run-of-the-mill ghost story.
This House is Haunted is what would happen if Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, and Wilkie Collins all got together and created a story-baby. Throw in a bit of modern sensibilities through the use of incredibly witty writing and you will have this brilliant, fun book by John Boyne. I thoroughly enjoyed having a heroine who not only recognized her plain looks … but repeatedly made reference to them in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way. I loved the old-fashioned language, the poking fun at various customs, but also the independence of young Eliza Caine as she tries to ferret out just what is going on with her new employer.
Boyne draws heavily from Jane Eyre, and I think anyone will recognize that story as being a primary influence on This House is Haunted – but he twists the story a bit. I’d be interested to see a companion book or sequel, however, similar to Wide Sargasso Sea, to get the other side of the story. A bit of mystery, a bit of ghost, some twists that you can see coming but, still, make the story one that is thoroughly enjoyable – all of this is contained within the pages of Boyne’s gothic ghost story.
So what are you waiting for? When is the last time you were both intrigued, mystified, and amused by a gothic story? Never? Well then – pick up This House is Haunted by John Boyne. I think this book might just be my favorite of the month.
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