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The Wish House

by Celia Rees (Goodreads Author)

3.18 of 5 stars 3.18 · rating details · 391 ratings · 45 reviews

In the summer of 1976, on holiday in South Wales, fifteen-year-old Richard is shocked and fascinated to meet the tenants of the historic Wish House. Jay Dalton is a well-known artist, and his large, bohemian family - casually stripping naked on the beach, smoking dope, ignoring convention - seem astonishingly glamorous. Richard falls under the spell of beautiful, free-spir...more

Paperback, 224 pages

Published April 7th 2006 by Young Picador (first published March 4th 2005)

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Feb 12, 2013 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

3.5 stars

This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

Languid, dark and poetic, The Wish House is unlike any young adult novel I’ve read recently. In fact, with its rich language and dark undercurrents it exhibits a similar aesthetic to Helen Dunmore’s Talking to the Dead. Even the setting is similar: a blazing hot summer, so hot that the world seems to fade and feather a little, and a ramshackle manor beneath the roof of which all sorts of amoral curiosities appear to be play...more 3.5 stars

This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

Languid, dark and poetic, The Wish House is unlike any young adult novel I’ve read recently. In fact, with its rich language and dark undercurrents it exhibits a similar aesthetic to Helen Dunmore’s Talking to the Dead. Even the setting is similar: a blazing hot summer, so hot that the world seems to fade and feather a little, and a ramshackle manor beneath the roof of which all sorts of amoral curiosities appear to be playing out.

But unlike Talking to the Dead, Rees’ novel is a coming of age story, that of Richard’s summer-time encounters with the bohemian Dalton family, and in particular with Clio, the daughter of brooding, eccentric artist JA Dalton. It’s the early 1970s, and the divide between the Dalton family and Richard’s own couldn’t be greater–with his crossing the line between the two, of course, signalling his entry into adulthood. The Daltons are a local curiosity of sorts, with their rambling manor-house, their drug-taking and their free-love stance; in contrast, Richard’s family is almost crushingly pedestrian, all fishing trips and trashy novels read around a formica table.

When Richard steps into the Daltons’ world, he’s transported, and there’s a sense of his entering, in some way, a sort of fantasy realm. The dreamlike prose and disconnected tone of the narrator’s voice almost make it feel as though Richard is on some faerie path as he meets with the nymph-like Clio in the woods, is tempted by Clio’s witchy step-mother, and poses for the strange and reclusive Dalton. So entranced is Richard that he’s almost unable to believe it when others speak unfavourably of their own interactions with the Daltons. Richard sees them in a way as his, and it’s in his gradual acceptance that this isn’t the case–and perhaps that he shouldn’t be wishing that this is the case–that we begin to see his character growth.

The Wish House is a dark story, and there’s a sense of dread and dissonance that runs through its pages; in a way it reminded me of the work of Margo Lanagan, who’s noted for her eerie, suggestive writing. There’s something terribly disturbing about the dynamics of the Daltons, and there’s more than a hint of incest and perhaps other unspoken abuses here. We get a hint of this when Clio and Richard begin to play a game of make-believe in the woods, and while Richard is growing too old for such things Clio, who is usually sexually aggressive and jaded in her worldliness seems to be utterly delighted by the innocence of the childhood game:

“Clio had never played like this before and she took a deep delight in it. She had been to lots of places and had lived in a series of different communities, but she seemed to have spent most of her time with adults…It seemed that he was living in a much younger time, rediscovering lost childhood delights…”

A large part of the creepy sense of the book is provided by the framing device, which is that of an art show Richard is attending some six years after this particular summer with the Daltons. We learn that the artist JA Dalton is now dead (it’s on page 5, so no spoiler complaints, please), and the tension between Richard and Clio hints that something has gone terribly wrong. This is further explored not just in the summer-time narrative, but in the series of catalogue descriptions that are spliced between the chapters, each detailing a piece of work by Clio or her father, and providing a grim counterpoint to the dreaminess of the rest of the narration.

Unfortunately, for all its beauty and depth, I did feel that the book suffered from a couple of flaws, the first being the bland character of Richard, who is really largely a lens for the fascinating, conflicted Daltons–and in particular the women in the family. The second is the ending, which I felt was somewhat of an anticlimax in both its relative prosaicness and its inevitability. Given the sheer looming sense of evil throughout the book, the revelation about Dalton and his relationship with his family (sorry, I’m being deliberately vague here) feels almost reined in, as though forcing it to keep in line with YA sensibilities. But in all, this is a challenging, memorable read full of complex, contradictory characters, and it will certainly remain with me.(less)

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Jul 29, 2012 Nimue Brown rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Gothic, compelling, this is the sort of YA fiction that is entirely accessible to older readers. In fact, I’d suggest it’s not suitable for the youngest YA readers as the plot revolves around the sex life of the central character.
It’s a thing I keep running into – in erotica, authors do not dare have characters under the age of eighteen. (Age of consent in the USA). In the UK, if you’re writing something a bit more literary, then underage sex isn’t merely acceptable, it seems almost to be an ess...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Molly Westemeyer added it · review of another edition

In this book you meet Richard, a teenager who is trying to fill his summer after he finds out that his childhood friend has grown and become a full time worker for his father. He meets a family that is beyond odd. The "father" is a painter that spends most of his time in his painting room. The "daughter"(of whom Richard falls head-over-heals for and is a sexual partner) toys him along in a game and webs of lies. The "mother" has many 'partners'. The "son" is portrayed as a lay back kind of guy (...more

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Apr 19, 2012 Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: tbr-challenge, young-adult, mystery, audiobooks, romance, coming-of-age, rrrc-audiobook-challenge-2012

"The Wish House" is one of those coming of age stories that will either be a hit or a miss with its readers. I usually love summer themed, coming of age stories where the character grows in some manner during his or her experiences in a place outside of their usual dwellings, but this one left me wanting more than what it provided.

The story takes place in the 1970s. 15-year-old Richard spends the summer with his family in South Wales near an interesting dwelling called "The Wish House." What he...more "The Wish House" is one of those coming of age stories that will either be a hit or a miss with its readers. I usually love summer themed, coming of age stories where the character grows in some manner during his or her experiences in a place outside of their usual dwellings, but this one left me wanting more than what it provided.

The story takes place in the 1970s. 15-year-old Richard spends the summer with his family in South Wales near an interesting dwelling called "The Wish House." What he doesn't expect is to meet quite the bunch of colorful, illustrious characters staying in that house. They're free-spirited - some of which freely take drugs, make out, living life as if each day is their last. Richard is quickly taken under the wing of one of the resident artists there, and used as a subject of quite a few portraits. But while Richard visits the house regularly, he's caught up in many of his "first times" while there: falling in and out of love, dealing with loss, and wrestling with long standing demons and fears that aren't so easy to get rid of.

I definitely liked the set up of the storytelling, each chapter preceded by a description/depiction of an artwork as interpreted by critics in the famous artist's portfolio. But I found Richard's story to be largely underwhelming despite the themes provided in the novel, and this is coming from someone who loves slice-of-life, coming of age sories. There was something in the style of the story that left much to be desired. I don't know if it was the way it was written (third person limited), if the character's POV wasn't as intimate as it could've been, or if there were some other confounding factors in the story that were lacking. Given that this is my first read from Celia Rees, I don't really have anything to compare it to, but it left enough of an impression on me to say that I felt for Richard as his perspective grows from the experiences he has in that summer. It's a quick read, one I think older teens might appreciate more, and those who don't mind the YA coming of age genre in general. Is it the best story I've read in its particular setting? Not really, but it's worth checking into to see what it has to offer.

Overall score: 2.5/5(less)

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Dec 16, 2011 Charlotte Phillips rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dull, boring and uninteresting is what I would label this book. It just seemed lifeless and the plot seemed to me to hold no imagination or creativity what so ever to it. It just was not exciting nor engaging in any sort of way and I just wanted the book to come to an end, merely because I am too stubborn to put down a book I have started to read. Compared to her other novel that I have read, I was say this was a very immature novel. There just seemed to be no common ground or theme to it and th...more

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Jun 11, 2009 alexis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review: Every summer, as far back as he can remember, Richard's family has brought their camper to the Welsh countryside.

It's there that his friend Dylan and him roam the woods as unsupervised as a kid can get.

No parents, no adults.

This summer though, Richard is left alone, abandoned by Dylan.

It is now, that Richard goes back to "The Wish House".

A place that Dylan and him discovered some years ago.

But now, he finds it to be occupied instead of abandoned.

The Dalton family as come back for their h...more

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Jun 21, 2009 Taro rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Welcome to the world of artistry... this book tackles the significant role of art into one's wholeness. a story about a 15 year, Richard who used to camp with his friend every summer in an abandoned house- the wish house (because of the sound that created by the reverberation of the wind through the leaves of the trees, creating a sound of a "wisssshhhh")who later became occupied by a well-knowned painter and with his strange family which brings Richard into a unusual dimension. the book per se...more

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Feb 12, 2011 Trisha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ultimate-teen-books

I loved the intro of each chapter with the description of a painting or drawing. I thought it gave each chapter an almost magical feel. It made the world, for me, so real it was almost tangible.

I thought this was a great story about first love and first loss. About the possessive struggle within yourself that you may experience with "your first".
There will never be another "first" like that and sometimes it's hard not to want to smother that person ~ want to hold them and constantly be near the...more

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Feb 15, 2011 Rosemary rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ultimate-teen-guide

This was a strange book for me to read because the boy and girl were exactly my own age (i.e. I was also 16 in 1976) and yet I didn't seem to recognise them at all. It didn't remind me much of what it was like to be a teenager in the UK in the 1970s. It reminded me more of the Agatha Christie book Five Little Pigs published 1942. Still, that's one of my favourite Agatha Christies and I enjoyed this too. 3 and a half stars really.

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Jan 24, 2012 Splash Of Our Worlds *Yiota* rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the book that made me fall in love with the idea of bohemian lifestyle. Placed on the later 70's this book travels you in a world so much different than ours without the technical achievements that involve our world.

It is summer and our main character, a 15-year-old boy named Richard goes on family vacation on South Wales. It's the place that he and his family going on vacation for several years. But this time something changed. In a big house no far from where his staying is leaving a f...more This is the book that made me fall in love with the idea of bohemian lifestyle. Placed on the later 70's this book travels you in a world so much different than ours without the technical achievements that involve our world.

It is summer and our main character, a 15-year-old boy named Richard goes on family vacation on South Wales. It's the place that he and his family going on vacation for several years. But this time something changed. In a big house no far from where his staying is leaving a family. A famous artist with his wife and children. One day, Richard is taking a walk in the woods and meets Clio. The artist's daughter. After several events Richard is losing his virginity with Clio. But the story doesn't end here. Richard is meeting her weird family. They all are bohemians. They believe in free love, they are not following the rules other families have, and they are smoking innocent drugs. Richard is entering this new world where everything seems so easy. No responsibilities. No rules. No secrets. No secrets?

Our character,Richard, is recalling memories and feelings from that summer as he's traveling back in South Wales on his early twenties. It's a memorable journey in the past. Richard didn't only have his first love, first sex and first death, but also learned things that made him change his point of view.

I believe that, this is what the writer tries to achieve. Entering us in a different lifestyle, she makes us consider the possibility of being more open-minded to the people around us.

Despite the fact that it's a small book, it makes you think many things for the people around you, and challenge you to change your lifestyle a little bit. Of course the writer is spreading her own message at the end of the book, reminding us that she is describing a different period of time and that we should not follow the exact facts.

Bottom on this is a book which can be read easily from both sexes. It's simple, a little dramatic, and enters you in another place and time.(less)

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Oct 01, 2010 Lydia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: september-2010

I found this book highly captivating. It grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. I know I'll be thinking about the themes and emotions it brought to the surface for a long time. It's harsh, slightly tragic, real, scary, beautiful and somewhat erotic all at once. It doesn't seem like a children's book or even a young adult book to me at all though. I was rather surprised by this, given its' publisher imprint and the other books this author has written in the past. It's definitely more a book about you...more

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Dec 23, 2010 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-from-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 19, 2009 Carmen rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-it

The book was captivating in its descriptions of this eccentric family that Richard finds himself getting attached to. The descriptions of the paintings also add to its suspense as art and reality start to blend. I loved how it began, and how the story was looking back through the series of paintings. In the beginning, you are mystified by the secrets of the characters and the paintings, and at the end, you find a sense of relief-- the same that you imagine Richard feels as well.

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Jan 14, 2013 Anna rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Though I like the style that Celia Rees writes in, I did not like this novel much. The main character's point of view was fun to read from, but the plot seemed too "all over the place" for me to fully understand what was going on. I think the subject matter of the plot was not to my liking either.

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Jul 20, 2012 Stephanie A. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: boy-protagonists

A unique introduction & format (I also loved how it was set in the 70s), but more risque and therefore not as compelling as I expect from one of my favorite authors. Decent summer story, though, and some beautifully described scenery. I sort of want it to be made into a film just for the scenery.

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Mar 22, 2010 Lisa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I finished this audiobook, I said to myself "So what?" Not that interesting a story.
Richard falls in love with Cleo. Cleo is the daughter of a famous artist, who has arranged the whole affair to get Richard to be his muse and model. A coming of age story that falls flat.

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Dec 21, 2012 Inspiring Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The art,the first leaps of love and the family portraits described all together in a strange but as well, charming way. The author is using great techniques to put us into the house where the main story takes place, while we just keep turning the pages.

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Jul 29, 2011 Kaalomai added it · review of another edition

intriguing interesting atmospheric, great characters, unique story lines. kept me interested and engaged from start to finish. listened to it on tape in between la and belmont. very colorful and engrossing.

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Jan 30, 2011 Cookie Lopez rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

Found this in the YA section, but have to admit that it's def. mature YA. Didn't enjoy the book much, although I was intrigued by the passages presented on the book jacket...just ugh...

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May 22, 2009 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fascinating, I've read it several times and I'm still not sure I've really got to the heart of the issues explored. Full of art and witchcraft, in an unsettlingly accesible environment.

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Aug 30, 2012 Elena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: adults

Having read other books by Celia Rees, I did not find this book fascinating as the others, I was a bit 'bored. Special characters, disorderly lives, suicide ......

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Aug 08, 2010 Hannah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I absolutely LOVE this book. It's so clever and the detail is so intricate that its completely unputdownable! It's the perfect pick-me-up when you need it.

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Feb 26, 2012 Mariela Silva rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was terrible, boring and super slow. The Characters were so freaking weird!!! I could not make it to 100 pages.

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Oct 13, 2010 Addy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another of my favourite books - along with The Raging Quite it is one of the few books that I have read more than once!

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Feb 06, 2010 Mindi rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-for-young-adults

I should have read Witch Child instead, but this was what they had at my local branch. This main character is a young man who becomes obsessed with a girl who lives with her hippie parents. Contains some mature content. Most appropriate for upperclassmen.

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Jun 17, 2012 Jessica Journey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I listened to this on CD (the guy had a great accent). It was riveting, suspenseful in a subtle kind of way. Beautifully written.

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Jul 07, 2012 Kara Sabbagh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Still processing and I'm left feeling a little overwhelmed. That's not at all what I expected going in.

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Feb 18, 2013 Kate rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very slow to begin with and a disappointing, anti-climax

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Jun 27, 2012 Emma rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, brits

It was okay. Kind of dry, not much dialogue...eh...

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Feb 01, 2011 Daniel Philmlee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kind of disappointing in the end.

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About Celia Rees

Celia Rees (born 1949) is an English author of children's literature, including some horror and fantasy books.

She was born in 1949 in Solihull, West Midlands but now lives in Leamington Spa with her husband and teenage daughter. Rees attended University of Warwick and earned a degree in History of Politics. After university, she taught English in Coventry secondary schools for seventeen years, dur...more

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Quotes from The Wish House

“Artists often collect. Sometimes compulsively. They hang on to things. They don’t want to let go. Like paintings. I don’t want to part with them. Some I won’t sell at any price. I don’t even let people see ‘em. - We don’t like change, and we’re possesive. Maybe that’s why we do it. We want to hang on to things, hang on to the one time. We don’t want to let it go; we want to capture it and keep it forever. Or one person. How she was then. At that moment. That’s what I want - to stop time, to have that power.” — 1 person liked it

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