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The Cellar
From the internationally bestselling, award-winning crime writer Minette Walters, The Cellar is a harrowing, compulsively readable novel about a family of African immigrants, the Songolis, and the dark secret they keep hidden in the depths of their seemingly respectable British home.
On the day Mr. and Mrs. Songoli’s young son fails to come home from school, fourteen-year-old Muna’s fortunes change for the better. Until then, her bedroom was a dank windowless cellar, her activities confined to cooking and cleaning. Over the years, she had grown used to being abused by the Songoli family—to being their slave.
Now that Scotland Yard has swarmed the Songoli house to investigate the disappearance of the son, Muna is given a real bedroom, real clothing, and treated, at least nominally, as a daughter. But her world remains confined. She is not allowed to go outside, doesn’t know how to read or write, and cannot speak English. At least that’s what the Songolis believe. Before long it becomes clear that young Muna is far cleverer—and her plans more terrifying—than the Songolis, or anyone else, can ever imagine.
On the day Mr. and Mrs. Songoli’s young son fails to come home from school, fourteen-year-old Muna’s fortunes change for the better. Until then, her bedroom was a dank windowless cellar, her activities confined to cooking and cleaning. Over the years, she had grown used to being abused by the Songoli family—to being their slave.
Now that Scotland Yard has swarmed the Songoli house to investigate the disappearance of the son, Muna is given a real bedroom, real clothing, and treated, at least nominally, as a daughter. But her world remains confined. She is not allowed to go outside, doesn’t know how to read or write, and cannot speak English. At least that’s what the Songolis believe. Before long it becomes clear that young Muna is far cleverer—and her plans more terrifying—than the Songolis, or anyone else, can ever imagine.
177 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
137 people are currently reading
2159 people want to read
About the author
Minette Walters
94 books1,430 followersMinette Walters (born 26 September 1949) is a British mystery writer. After studying at Trevelyan College, University of Durham, she began writing in 1987 with The Ice House, which was published in 1992. She followed this with The Sculptress (1993), which received the 1994 Edgar Award for Best Novel. She has been published in 35 countries and won many awards.
The Sculptress has been adapted for television in a BBC series starring Pauline Quirke. Her novels The Ice House, The Echo, The Dark Room, and The Scold's Bridle have also been adapted by the BBC.
The Sculptress has been adapted for television in a BBC series starring Pauline Quirke. Her novels The Ice House, The Echo, The Dark Room, and The Scold's Bridle have also been adapted by the BBC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 595 reviews
September 4, 2017
This is a short book, a novella really, but Minette Walters packs all her usual punch into it anyway.
The story is gripping, about Muna, a young girl abducted by the Songoli family and kept as a slave inside their house. She is brutally treated by all members of the family and when the youngest boy mysteriously disappears we feel hope for her as the police and other outsiders become involved and Muna has to be seen to be well treated by the family. However things are not quite how they appear, Muna especially!
I read this book pretty much in one evening and loved all of it. That's until I got to the last page and then something happened which I totally did not understand and then the book finished. I reread the last pages a couple of times but still am totally in the dark.
So take away one star for the ending but still four stars for a very entertaining book and a very well spent evening:)
The story is gripping, about Muna, a young girl abducted by the Songoli family and kept as a slave inside their house. She is brutally treated by all members of the family and when the youngest boy mysteriously disappears we feel hope for her as the police and other outsiders become involved and Muna has to be seen to be well treated by the family. However things are not quite how they appear, Muna especially!
I read this book pretty much in one evening and loved all of it. That's until I got to the last page and then something happened which I totally did not understand and then the book finished. I reread the last pages a couple of times but still am totally in the dark.
So take away one star for the ending but still four stars for a very entertaining book and a very well spent evening:)
April 3, 2015
Walters hasn't published a book for a while. This was gripping and sinister, but I didn't understand what happened on the last two pages, which prevents me from giving it four stars.
February 15, 2016
Darkness speaks.
It whispers words of comfort in the walls and the webs that spiders weave.
Darkness breathes.
Softly. Quietly.
3.5 Stars
I have read enough Minette Walters to know that this was not going to be a happy read with a happy ending. Gillian Flynn reminds me of her in that there is a darkness to her characters that is terrifying and this is no exception.
I am what you and Princess have made me, Master. The feelings I have are ones you've taught me. If they aren't human the fault is yours.
When Mr. and Mrs. Songoli’s youngest son, Abiola fails to come home from school, the police are called in and Muna's life changes for the better. Formerly a slave living in the cellar for the course of the investigation she is treated as a daughter, and moved to a real bedroom. However as the Songoli's misfortunes continue to mount, Muna's life continues to improve, and she will do anything to keep it that way.
It has been a while since Walters has published a book, so I was really looking forward to this one. It was a short read, and I finished it quite quickly due to the length and the fact that it drew me in from the first page.
I think my main issue with the book was that Muna was just so lucky. Everything seemed to go her way, and just fall into place for her. I also didn't quite believe that the It just seemed to "convenient".
But I continue to love this author, as she creates flawed characters that are incredibly dark and is an amazing writer. However, keep in mind that her endings are some of the darkest I've ever come across before you pick anything by her up.
It whispers words of comfort in the walls and the webs that spiders weave.
Darkness breathes.
Softly. Quietly.
3.5 Stars
I have read enough Minette Walters to know that this was not going to be a happy read with a happy ending. Gillian Flynn reminds me of her in that there is a darkness to her characters that is terrifying and this is no exception.
I am what you and Princess have made me, Master. The feelings I have are ones you've taught me. If they aren't human the fault is yours.
When Mr. and Mrs. Songoli’s youngest son, Abiola fails to come home from school, the police are called in and Muna's life changes for the better. Formerly a slave living in the cellar for the course of the investigation she is treated as a daughter, and moved to a real bedroom. However as the Songoli's misfortunes continue to mount, Muna's life continues to improve, and she will do anything to keep it that way.
It has been a while since Walters has published a book, so I was really looking forward to this one. It was a short read, and I finished it quite quickly due to the length and the fact that it drew me in from the first page.
I think my main issue with the book was that Muna was just so lucky. Everything seemed to go her way, and just fall into place for her. I also didn't quite believe that the It just seemed to "convenient".
But I continue to love this author, as she creates flawed characters that are incredibly dark and is an amazing writer. However, keep in mind that her endings are some of the darkest I've ever come across before you pick anything by her up.
May 19, 2017
The Cellar is the thirteenth full-length novel by British author, Minette Walters. Fourteen-year-old Muna’s life changes the day that ten-year-old Abiola fails to return home after school. The presence of the white police detective investigating the disappearance of the Songoli’s youngest son, as well as the family liaison officer and Hausa-speaking interpreter means that Muna is not beaten, abused, dressed in rags and forced to sleep in the cellar.
Muna knows that Yetunde Songoli stole her from the orphanage in their home country, and has lived like a slave to these well-to-do immigrants ever since. She feels the blue eyes of the white woman in trousers looking into her brain and worries she will know what Muna is thinking. Yetunde exhorts her to pretend she is the Songoli’s daughter, and Muna is unsure if she can trust the detective with her own truth, or what might be her fate if she did. The police do not stay forever, but nor does Muna’s life go back to what it was.
Walters once again proves her expertise with the genre of psychological thriller in this tale. There are few characters and the story is not complex, but there are twists and surprises that compel the reader to turn the pages. This is a dark tale, a tale of cruelty and of revenge, and perhaps, of possession. A gripping read. 4.5 ★s
Muna knows that Yetunde Songoli stole her from the orphanage in their home country, and has lived like a slave to these well-to-do immigrants ever since. She feels the blue eyes of the white woman in trousers looking into her brain and worries she will know what Muna is thinking. Yetunde exhorts her to pretend she is the Songoli’s daughter, and Muna is unsure if she can trust the detective with her own truth, or what might be her fate if she did. The police do not stay forever, but nor does Muna’s life go back to what it was.
Walters once again proves her expertise with the genre of psychological thriller in this tale. There are few characters and the story is not complex, but there are twists and surprises that compel the reader to turn the pages. This is a dark tale, a tale of cruelty and of revenge, and perhaps, of possession. A gripping read. 4.5 ★s
March 26, 2015
(2.5, rounded up to 3.) Minette Walters' entry in the Hammer Horror novella series is a tale of domestic horror rather than the supernatural sort - although a pinch of the latter is added in to spice it up. It tells the story of Muna, an orphaned girl brought to the UK illegally and forced to work as a slave for a relatively wealthy family. Having endured terrible abuse, she finds her fortunes changing when her captors' son goes missing. She's finally allowed to masquerade as their daughter, and sets about getting an increasingly sadistic form of revenge. There are no real twists or surprises, but the story maintains suspense nevertheless, partly because you wonder whether Muna is going to get away with it, and partly because of hints that some other, darker, force is manipulating her; is this demonic influence real or a delusion?
Some of the Hammer books have felt fully-formed; others like they've been quickly written and forced to fit into the horror genre, however tenuously. The Cellar belongs in the latter category. It's a tense read, and had me hooked until I knew how it ended, but the ending itself seemed a bit like the author thought 'oh well, this'll do'. Mentioning something about the Devil doesn't make it an effective horror story. I remember enjoying some of Walters' crime novels when I was in my early teens, and I also remember them being quite gory and twisted, so it's easy to see why she might be thought a natural fit for this series. The Cellar is probably one of the weaker offerings from this imprint; but, thanks to its gripping plot and how quickly I was able to finish it, it wasn't entirely a waste of time.
Some of the Hammer books have felt fully-formed; others like they've been quickly written and forced to fit into the horror genre, however tenuously. The Cellar belongs in the latter category. It's a tense read, and had me hooked until I knew how it ended, but the ending itself seemed a bit like the author thought 'oh well, this'll do'. Mentioning something about the Devil doesn't make it an effective horror story. I remember enjoying some of Walters' crime novels when I was in my early teens, and I also remember them being quite gory and twisted, so it's easy to see why she might be thought a natural fit for this series. The Cellar is probably one of the weaker offerings from this imprint; but, thanks to its gripping plot and how quickly I was able to finish it, it wasn't entirely a waste of time.
September 11, 2016
Walters consistently creeps me out. In a good way. Like DeNiro in a 70s Scorsese film. Months, years after finishing one of her stories, the title alone will make you feel that you must go and wash your hands right now.
This book deals with modern international slavery. That's all you need to know. Psychological horror at its finest.
Library copy
This book deals with modern international slavery. That's all you need to know. Psychological horror at its finest.
Library copy
September 11, 2016
The story was original but the execution was terrible. The characters were all one-dimensional, usually evil, and I had no sympathy for any of them. The writing wasn't great. I could tell who was speaking and when but the author's decision to never use quotation marks ever made no sense and didn't add anything to the book. This is was my first Minette Walters and it will probably be my last too.
June 6, 2015
On a positive note, Walters’ novella offers something very different.
The Songoli family migrated from western Africa to the UK (six or so years before, we gather) bringing orphaned Muna along for the ride.
We never really know Yetunde Songoli’s motivations for ‘rescuing’ (then) eight-year old Muna from an orphanage by posing as her aunt. She had two sons, so those with rose-coloured glasses could possibly believe Yetunde was keen for a daughter. The more cynical of us could think she planned from the get-go to rear a slave to be at her beck and call.
Six years later and Muna isn’t quite as dumb and naive as the Songolis believe. She may live in the cellar, never leave the house and suffer regular beatings and rape, but she’s learning English—awaiting the day she has the courage to tell someone she was kidnapped and is being held against her will.
The opportunity presents itself when the Songoli’s 10 year old son disappears. It’s Muna’s first experience of white people and she doesn’t quite know if she can trust the visiting police. She does however, finally have a way out of the cellar and starts playing the family members off against one another in a manipulative manner very much beyond her 14 years.
This novella didn’t grab me from the get-go, but I was interested because it’s subject matter is unusual and, well… quick icky.
There were some life lessons about reaping what we sow (etc), but I was left with the feeling that Walters wrote this book without knowing where she was going to take it.
Ultimately—along with almost every other commenter I’ve seen on Goodreads—I’m in agreement that Walters takes the novella on a tangent at the very end that really makes no sense. We’re left not knowing what happened…. in a confused (that-makes-no-sense) way, rather than in a wake-in-the-middle-of-the-night-wondering way.
Elements will play on my mind over coming days and perhaps even weeks but—while I don’t entirely regret the read—I’m glad I didn't invest more time in something which wasn’t (ultimately) very satisfying.
2-2.5 stars
The Songoli family migrated from western Africa to the UK (six or so years before, we gather) bringing orphaned Muna along for the ride.
We never really know Yetunde Songoli’s motivations for ‘rescuing’ (then) eight-year old Muna from an orphanage by posing as her aunt. She had two sons, so those with rose-coloured glasses could possibly believe Yetunde was keen for a daughter. The more cynical of us could think she planned from the get-go to rear a slave to be at her beck and call.
Six years later and Muna isn’t quite as dumb and naive as the Songolis believe. She may live in the cellar, never leave the house and suffer regular beatings and rape, but she’s learning English—awaiting the day she has the courage to tell someone she was kidnapped and is being held against her will.
The opportunity presents itself when the Songoli’s 10 year old son disappears. It’s Muna’s first experience of white people and she doesn’t quite know if she can trust the visiting police. She does however, finally have a way out of the cellar and starts playing the family members off against one another in a manipulative manner very much beyond her 14 years.
This novella didn’t grab me from the get-go, but I was interested because it’s subject matter is unusual and, well… quick icky.
There were some life lessons about reaping what we sow (etc), but I was left with the feeling that Walters wrote this book without knowing where she was going to take it.
Ultimately—along with almost every other commenter I’ve seen on Goodreads—I’m in agreement that Walters takes the novella on a tangent at the very end that really makes no sense. We’re left not knowing what happened…. in a confused (that-makes-no-sense) way, rather than in a wake-in-the-middle-of-the-night-wondering way.
Elements will play on my mind over coming days and perhaps even weeks but—while I don’t entirely regret the read—I’m glad I didn't invest more time in something which wasn’t (ultimately) very satisfying.
2-2.5 stars
October 14, 2023
This was a seriously creepy book and an ideal introduction as a first read from this well wrote author.
The narrative is told in an interesting way as the dialogue had no punctuation to highlight the main protagonist Muna, an illegal immigrant held as a slave in a dingy cellar by the Songoli family.
The level of abuse that she takes is awful, including some very descriptive scenes of sexual abuse.
A change of circumstances enables Muna to fight back as the power play as she is able to manipulate the situation.
A tough subject matter dealt with care in this quick read.
The narrative is told in an interesting way as the dialogue had no punctuation to highlight the main protagonist Muna, an illegal immigrant held as a slave in a dingy cellar by the Songoli family.
The level of abuse that she takes is awful, including some very descriptive scenes of sexual abuse.
A change of circumstances enables Muna to fight back as the power play as she is able to manipulate the situation.
A tough subject matter dealt with care in this quick read.
October 8, 2018
What a very sinister exploration of the banality of evil.
When Mrs Songoli forges the papers to adopt little Muna from an orphanage, she has no sadistic intentions. She just wants someone to boss around so that she can feel more important and better about herself. In the same vein, when Mr Songoli rapes little Muna he's not deriving any particular pleasure from her suffering – it's just that his wife doesn't put out and a man has needs. What's so particularly bleak and horrifying about the Songolis is that they aren't cackling monsters who deliberately torture Muna. They have very ordinary, human aims – like avoiding the housework – and they simply don't care how vastly she suffers in order to give them a modest improvement in comfort.
But it's not all about the practicalities. They are all fundamentally selfish and status-obsessed people. When Mrs Songoli beats Muna for minor mishaps in cleaning, or for looking at her funny, she's not taking pleasure in Muna's suffering exactly. Her pleasure comes from the status-boost of Muna's elaborate deference. No doubt she thinks of beating her slave as a tedious chore that's necessary for a harmonious home.
None of the Songolis has any true love for each other. The husband and wife are each using each other to achieve status – his money, her pedigree. The sons obey and manipulate their parents in a calculated manner. Perhaps most revolting was the way that Mr Songoli's feelings toward Muna changed when he became dependent on her. It only took a very little tip in the power balance for all his morals and principles to reorganise themselves around his needs. It's very bleak.
You'd think there might be some glimmer of light in Muna: the bright, plucky slave, determined to improve herself, and using the unexpected presence of the police in their home to save herself. But Muna is every bit as calculating as the Songolis. And the more we see of Muna, the more we realise that there is something very wrong with her too. Of course, Muna has the excuse of being beaten, raped and kept in the cellar, but this is still fundamentally, a story about a group of people utterly devoid of basic humanity.
When Mrs Songoli forges the papers to adopt little Muna from an orphanage, she has no sadistic intentions. She just wants someone to boss around so that she can feel more important and better about herself. In the same vein, when Mr Songoli rapes little Muna he's not deriving any particular pleasure from her suffering – it's just that his wife doesn't put out and a man has needs. What's so particularly bleak and horrifying about the Songolis is that they aren't cackling monsters who deliberately torture Muna. They have very ordinary, human aims – like avoiding the housework – and they simply don't care how vastly she suffers in order to give them a modest improvement in comfort.
But it's not all about the practicalities. They are all fundamentally selfish and status-obsessed people. When Mrs Songoli beats Muna for minor mishaps in cleaning, or for looking at her funny, she's not taking pleasure in Muna's suffering exactly. Her pleasure comes from the status-boost of Muna's elaborate deference. No doubt she thinks of beating her slave as a tedious chore that's necessary for a harmonious home.
None of the Songolis has any true love for each other. The husband and wife are each using each other to achieve status – his money, her pedigree. The sons obey and manipulate their parents in a calculated manner. Perhaps most revolting was the way that Mr Songoli's feelings toward Muna changed when he became dependent on her. It only took a very little tip in the power balance for all his morals and principles to reorganise themselves around his needs. It's very bleak.
You'd think there might be some glimmer of light in Muna: the bright, plucky slave, determined to improve herself, and using the unexpected presence of the police in their home to save herself. But Muna is every bit as calculating as the Songolis. And the more we see of Muna, the more we realise that there is something very wrong with her too. Of course, Muna has the excuse of being beaten, raped and kept in the cellar, but this is still fundamentally, a story about a group of people utterly devoid of basic humanity.
March 28, 2019
A very creepy tale! A fast read, I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a slave girl who gradually enacts sweet revenge on the family who enslaved and mistreated her. A few scenes were hard to read, but it was well-written, unique, and engaging. The ending was a bit abrupt and perplexing and left me with more questions than answers, so I knocked off a star.
June 17, 2015
The cellar is a Hammer novella and whilst short it still manages to grab your full attention and pull you into the storyline. Dark, gruesome and downright creepy in places it's certainly one that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The cellar is cleverly written and the plot features Muna who was kept in a cellar and treated abysmally as a slave, and how she gets her revenge on her captors. A very intruiging plot and whilst certain parts make an uncomfortable read it had me hooked. Muna's character was so strong, she comes to life from the pages. The ending left me a little puzzled which is why I havnt given it 5 stars, but altogether a great short read.
June 29, 2015
A novella from Minette Walters. Muna was ‘rescued’ from an orphanage by someone posing as her aunt. She’s brought back to England and has been kept as a slave and abused. She doesn't know any English
When one of the sons goes missing on his way home from school her life is set to change.They start treating her as a daughter- but she’s plotting to get revenge. At times a very good read- but the ending lets it down.
When one of the sons goes missing on his way home from school her life is set to change.They start treating her as a daughter- but she’s plotting to get revenge. At times a very good read- but the ending lets it down.
June 18, 2017
Sommerchallenge Aufgabe #10.
200-250 Seiten
Munas Leben ist die Hölle. Und niemand kommt ihr zu Hilfe, denn keiner weiß, dass die Familie Songolis ihr Hausmädchen behandelt wie eine Sklavin. Dabei muss sie sich nicht nur Tag für Tag bis zur Erschöpfung um das Wohl der Songolis kümmern, sondern wird auch noch jede Nacht in einen dunklen, fensterlosen Keller gesperrt. Doch dann kehrt eines Tages der jüngste Sohn der Familie aus unerklärlichen Gründen nicht mehr nach Hause zurück. Damit die ermittelnden Polizeibeamten nichts von Munas Schicksal erfahren, darf sie ihren Keller verlassen. Und diese Chance nutzt sie auch. Denn Muna ist sehr viel klüger, als alle ahnen – und ihre Pläne sind sehr viel schockierender, als irgendjemand jemals vermuten würde ...
Frage 1: Was hat Dir besonders gut gefallen?
Die Lektüre hat mir Lust auf Thriller / Psychothriller gemacht. Den obwohl auf dem Cover Psychothriller steht, fand ich es nicht wirklich thrilling.
Frage 2: Was hat Dir weniger gut gefallen?
Der Klappentext lässt vermuten, dass der Leser mit der Protagonistin sympathisiert. Tatsächlich war das bei mir nicht der Fall. Auch fand ich ihre Entwicklung unglaubwürdig.
Frage 3: Wer war Dein Lieblingscharakter?
Mein Lieblingscharakter ist eine Nebenfigur, Mrs Hughes, die Nachbarin der Familie.
Frage 4: Würdest Du das Buch empfehlen?
Zu empfehlen als leichte Lektüre zwischendurch.
200-250 Seiten
Munas Leben ist die Hölle. Und niemand kommt ihr zu Hilfe, denn keiner weiß, dass die Familie Songolis ihr Hausmädchen behandelt wie eine Sklavin. Dabei muss sie sich nicht nur Tag für Tag bis zur Erschöpfung um das Wohl der Songolis kümmern, sondern wird auch noch jede Nacht in einen dunklen, fensterlosen Keller gesperrt. Doch dann kehrt eines Tages der jüngste Sohn der Familie aus unerklärlichen Gründen nicht mehr nach Hause zurück. Damit die ermittelnden Polizeibeamten nichts von Munas Schicksal erfahren, darf sie ihren Keller verlassen. Und diese Chance nutzt sie auch. Denn Muna ist sehr viel klüger, als alle ahnen – und ihre Pläne sind sehr viel schockierender, als irgendjemand jemals vermuten würde ...
Frage 1: Was hat Dir besonders gut gefallen?
Die Lektüre hat mir Lust auf Thriller / Psychothriller gemacht. Den obwohl auf dem Cover Psychothriller steht, fand ich es nicht wirklich thrilling.
Frage 2: Was hat Dir weniger gut gefallen?
Der Klappentext lässt vermuten, dass der Leser mit der Protagonistin sympathisiert. Tatsächlich war das bei mir nicht der Fall. Auch fand ich ihre Entwicklung unglaubwürdig.
Frage 3: Wer war Dein Lieblingscharakter?
Mein Lieblingscharakter ist eine Nebenfigur, Mrs Hughes, die Nachbarin der Familie.
Frage 4: Würdest Du das Buch empfehlen?
Zu empfehlen als leichte Lektüre zwischendurch.
February 13, 2021
Minette Walters writes dark and disturbing books. They make your skin crawl. There are no ghosts in them, only people. You might wish there were ghosts. Supernatural creatures performing the acts of hatred and depravity the humans in Walters' books carry out would not be as frightening.
Because they are imaginary.
Cruel people are real.
I read a book once called, "The Slave Next Door." It us about modern day slavery and human trafficking.
"The Cellar" is a story about a cruel family that enslaves a girl, but they choose the wrong girl.
Because they are imaginary.
Cruel people are real.
I read a book once called, "The Slave Next Door." It us about modern day slavery and human trafficking.
"The Cellar" is a story about a cruel family that enslaves a girl, but they choose the wrong girl.
March 19, 2016
A new novel of psychological suspense from Minette Walters is always cause to celebrate! In The Cellar (which one review calls a retelling of Cinderella--maybe, but with a serious revenge twist), the Songoli family from Africa live in north London. There's the father, mother, two teenaged sons, and Muna, the young slave girl they keep hidden in the cellar. When the younger son disappears and the police are called, Muna must be transformed into the brain-damaged sister who knows nothing and speaks no English. As the story progresses the family discovers how wrong they are in their estimation of her. This is one of those times when readers/listeners want to step back and watch the disaster unfold. We don't want to be too close to the characters, almost all of them unsympathetic. And Walters' detached narrative allows that--while Justine Eyre's reading makes it even more obvious as she underplays the horror of all that's happening. The pace is measured but the story absolutely compelling, as the family's fortune continue to fall in direct proportion to the rise in Muna's power. Well-drawn characters; an intense, psychologically and physically brutal story line, as well as on open ending; polished prose, and a chilling tone. A great example of the power of this genre.
February 20, 2017
*2 stars*
I loved Minette Walters earlier works, especially The Sculptress and The Scold's Bridle. Her first four novels were every bit as horrifying as those written by Gillian Flynn. In fact I enjoyed (to varying degrees) all of her novels up to and including Fox Evil, but after that, pfft, I've been extremely disappointed with every sporadic thing that she's penned.
I've reached the end of my rope. I waited a long time for The Cellar to be published, but I'm now convinced that the earlier magic won't be coming back.
I loved Minette Walters earlier works, especially The Sculptress and The Scold's Bridle. Her first four novels were every bit as horrifying as those written by Gillian Flynn. In fact I enjoyed (to varying degrees) all of her novels up to and including Fox Evil, but after that, pfft, I've been extremely disappointed with every sporadic thing that she's penned.
I've reached the end of my rope. I waited a long time for The Cellar to be published, but I'm now convinced that the earlier magic won't be coming back.
August 19, 2015
Well...it wasn't what I waited years to read.
October 16, 2020
This was 150 pages of racism.
April 9, 2024
"Der Keller" von Minette Walters ist ein Thriller, der mit seiner Spannung den Leser packt und zum Weiterlesen animiert. Keine Frage...
Es gibt einige Twists, die einen wirklich schaudern lassen. Gerade das Ende löste bei mir großes Unbehagen aus. Im Dunkeln fühle ich mich nach diesem Buch gerade auch nicht besonders wohl.
Trotz all dieser positiven Aspekte, die einen guten Thriller ausmachen, kann ich dem Buch dennoch nicht mehr als 3 Sterne geben...
Die Protagonistin der Geschichte ist das Mädchen Muna. Sie verbrachte den Großteil ihres bisherigen Lebens im Keller der Familie Songolis und versteht die Welt um sie herum daher nur bedingt. Die Beobachtungen, die sie anstellt sind gerade zu Beginn des Buches deshalb simpel und oberflächlich. Dadurch entstehen eindimensionale Personenbeschreibungen, die einen bitteren Nachgeschmack hinterlassen. Die Mitglieder der Familie Songolis (und Muna) selbst sind nämlich aus Afrika nach England gezogen. Natürlich stellen Frau und Herr Songolis, sowie ihre Söhne die Antagonisten dar und verkörpern aufgrund der einfachen Personenbeschreibung das pure Böse. Es werden auch Stereotypen der afrikanischen Kultur verwendet, die ohne weitere Auftritte farbiger Charaktere der Geschichte eine seltsame wertende Note verleihen. Ich habe lange gebraucht, um diesen (ich hoffe) unbeabsichtigten rassistischen Beigeschmack auszublenden.
Des Weiteren wirkt die Handlung aufgrund einiger Logiklöcher stellenweise wenig durchdacht. Charaktere tauchen auf, verschwinden über -zig Seiten, wenn sie nicht gebraucht werden, um dann wieder wie selbstverständlich daherzukommen, wenn ihr Schicksal in die Handlung passt. Dazu kommt, dass Munas Rachegeschichte zu stark von Glück geprägt ist. Ihre diabolischen Züge gehen dadurch ein wenig verloren.
"Der Keller" ist dennoch ein unterhaltender Thriller, den man gut in 1-2 Tagen durchlesen kann. Für einen kurzweiligen Gruselschauer reicht es allemal. Sehr viel aus dem Buch mitnehmen werde ich aber vermutlich nicht.
Es gibt einige Twists, die einen wirklich schaudern lassen. Gerade das Ende löste bei mir großes Unbehagen aus. Im Dunkeln fühle ich mich nach diesem Buch gerade auch nicht besonders wohl.
Trotz all dieser positiven Aspekte, die einen guten Thriller ausmachen, kann ich dem Buch dennoch nicht mehr als 3 Sterne geben...
Die Protagonistin der Geschichte ist das Mädchen Muna. Sie verbrachte den Großteil ihres bisherigen Lebens im Keller der Familie Songolis und versteht die Welt um sie herum daher nur bedingt. Die Beobachtungen, die sie anstellt sind gerade zu Beginn des Buches deshalb simpel und oberflächlich. Dadurch entstehen eindimensionale Personenbeschreibungen, die einen bitteren Nachgeschmack hinterlassen. Die Mitglieder der Familie Songolis (und Muna) selbst sind nämlich aus Afrika nach England gezogen. Natürlich stellen Frau und Herr Songolis, sowie ihre Söhne die Antagonisten dar und verkörpern aufgrund der einfachen Personenbeschreibung das pure Böse. Es werden auch Stereotypen der afrikanischen Kultur verwendet, die ohne weitere Auftritte farbiger Charaktere der Geschichte eine seltsame wertende Note verleihen. Ich habe lange gebraucht, um diesen (ich hoffe) unbeabsichtigten rassistischen Beigeschmack auszublenden.
Des Weiteren wirkt die Handlung aufgrund einiger Logiklöcher stellenweise wenig durchdacht. Charaktere tauchen auf, verschwinden über -zig Seiten, wenn sie nicht gebraucht werden, um dann wieder wie selbstverständlich daherzukommen, wenn ihr Schicksal in die Handlung passt. Dazu kommt, dass Munas Rachegeschichte zu stark von Glück geprägt ist. Ihre diabolischen Züge gehen dadurch ein wenig verloren.
"Der Keller" ist dennoch ein unterhaltender Thriller, den man gut in 1-2 Tagen durchlesen kann. Für einen kurzweiligen Gruselschauer reicht es allemal. Sehr viel aus dem Buch mitnehmen werde ich aber vermutlich nicht.
June 30, 2019
Yes Master
Yes princess
I absolutely loved reading this new book The Cellar by Minette Walters. The character Muna who speaks the language of Hausa is totally a different. Muna has been stolen from an orphanage in Africa. Mrs & Mr Songoli keep Muna as a slave cooking and cleaning, making her sleep in a windowless cellar. The Songoli family think that Muna can't speak English. But Muna is much more cleaver than the family realise. Mr and Mrs Songoli's son failed to come home from school and is missing. The story becomes even more darker when other suspenseful creepy things start to happen to the point where no reader can ever imagine what is going to happen next. I highly recommend this psychological, suspense novel.
July 19, 2016
Minette Walters writes novels to make her readers uncomfortable....I think all of her books have made me cringe at unsympathetic characters. This novella pulled the curtain back on a repulsive family in turmoil and their house slave. I devoured it, but took little pleasure in it.
March 26, 2023
DNF 60%
This is all kinds of problematic. A white author writing a black family, with every single member being truly awful. I don't like using the word evil, but they all are. The single white character is kind. Racist much.
This is all kinds of problematic. A white author writing a black family, with every single member being truly awful. I don't like using the word evil, but they all are. The single white character is kind. Racist much.
February 5, 2016
I had't seen a Minette Walters book in a long time so I grabbed it off the library shelf. Wish I hadn't.
March 16, 2022
Wow. I would have never thought I would like a thriller as much as I liked this one! It was different from every book of this genre I have read before. It explored deeply into the human psyche more than anything else which made it more shocking and gruesome than I ever thought possible. While reading I couldn't help thinking that it felt like a bloodier version of 'I who have never known men' by Jaqueline Harpman.
If you're looking to be shocked and hooked to your core, check this book out.
If you're looking to be shocked and hooked to your core, check this book out.
September 14, 2025
Pop sugar challenge #25 Książka, w której głównym bohaterem jest imigrant lub uchodźca
Nie mam nic do powiedzenia - było to kiepskie
Nie mam nic do powiedzenia - było to kiepskie
October 7, 2016
This was an impulse read for me. I saw it at the library under staff picks and it looked short and sweet (in a creepy, disturbing way). And for the most part, I really enjoyed this story.
Muna is a slave. She does not remember where she came from or who her parents were, only that her "aunt" came for her one day and she'd lived with the Songolis ever since. Muna is responsible for all of the cooking and cleaning in the Songoli household and if she doesn't do it right, she gets the rod. Mrs. Songoli has a temper and Mr. Songoli abuses Muna sexually. She is afraid of what their two sons might do to her once they've grown up.
But Muna knows everything that happens in her house, even if she knows nothing of the outside world. Muna waits for a chance to get her revenge on the Songolis and one by one starts to take them out...
The great thing about this novel is Muna's revenge. She slowly takes over control of the house and before the Songolis know what's happened, Muna has them under her thumb. I love it.
The majorly disappointing thing about this novel is the ending. I don't feel like there's any closure. Sometimes an open-ended novel leaves you with chills and invites speculation on what might have come. But this ending just leaves you wondering what's happened and what the mysterious note at the end means.
Muna is a slave. She does not remember where she came from or who her parents were, only that her "aunt" came for her one day and she'd lived with the Songolis ever since. Muna is responsible for all of the cooking and cleaning in the Songoli household and if she doesn't do it right, she gets the rod. Mrs. Songoli has a temper and Mr. Songoli abuses Muna sexually. She is afraid of what their two sons might do to her once they've grown up.
But Muna knows everything that happens in her house, even if she knows nothing of the outside world. Muna waits for a chance to get her revenge on the Songolis and one by one starts to take them out...
The great thing about this novel is Muna's revenge. She slowly takes over control of the house and before the Songolis know what's happened, Muna has them under her thumb. I love it.
The majorly disappointing thing about this novel is the ending. I don't feel like there's any closure. Sometimes an open-ended novel leaves you with chills and invites speculation on what might have come. But this ending just leaves you wondering what's happened and what the mysterious note at the end means.
December 20, 2025
The Cellar is a rapidly moving story of creepy, unusual revenge. Revenge so overdue, so specific and so general - a class story written from within the good-witch-bad-witch brilliance of the ‘brain damaged’ Muna. Our protagonista is absolutely defined by the other players in this morality tale, as lower (lowest?) class, unworthy of notice, choice, respect - if human at all. There is little i can say without spoiling things, so i won’t. Say things; except - Muna is from the school of turn the other cheek, please Master, so you can slap that too. But aren’t most of us (or wouldn’t we be) when someone steals all of us?
She, Muna, just wants some of her back, that’s all.
Ewww. This book was fun.
”Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life.” This Eric Hoffer quote opens the book. Does the life have to be empty, Eric?
She, Muna, just wants some of her back, that’s all.
Ewww. This book was fun.
”Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life.” This Eric Hoffer quote opens the book. Does the life have to be empty, Eric?
February 22, 2016
I have read every book this author has written and just love her so was really excited when she had a new book out after so long.
I really enjoyed this book right until the last few pages then the book just ended and I was left thinking what the hell she just cut the book off I didn't understand what happened there was not ending unless it was just me that didn't get it..
I really enjoyed this book right until the last few pages then the book just ended and I was left thinking what the hell she just cut the book off I didn't understand what happened there was not ending unless it was just me that didn't get it..
Read
January 23, 2016Nope.
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