From the Bookshelf of Retro Chapter Chicks …

This House Is Haunted

John Boyne

Start date: October 1, 2015

Finish date: October 31, 2015

Discussion leader: Kris (My Novelesque Life)

Why we're reading this: Our Spooky October book choice.
[close] Our Spooky October book choice.

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Aug 10, 2015 Candi rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, horror-creepy

"What if a soul departs this life but is neither in heaven nor hell? What if they remain?"

This was a fantastic, old-fashioned ghost story - it was just the ticket for a mid-October read to get me in the spirit of Halloween! John Boyne effectively created a very eerie, atmospheric setting for this book which takes place in England during the year 1867. The prose is quite tantalizing and drew me right into the story. I actually pictured each scene as if it were occurring in front of me on the big "What if a soul departs this life but is neither in heaven nor hell? What if they remain?"

This was a fantastic, old-fashioned ghost story - it was just the ticket for a mid-October read to get me in the spirit of Halloween! John Boyne effectively created a very eerie, atmospheric setting for this book which takes place in England during the year 1867. The prose is quite tantalizing and drew me right into the story. I actually pictured each scene as if it were occurring in front of me on the big screen - in fact, this would make a great movie adaptation which I would not hesitate to see.

The story begins with Eliza and her father attending a ghost story reading by the renowned Charles Dickens himself. Eliza is immediately enveloped by a feeling of unease and foreboding. This will in turn set the tone for the rest of the novel and will affect Eliza's thoughts and understanding of subsequent events. "I began to fear that I might not sleep that night, so certain was I that I was surrounded by the spirits of those who had left their corporeal form behind but had not yet been admitted through the gates of heaven and so were left to trawl through the world, crying aloud, desperate to be heard, causing disarray and torment wherever they went..."

When Eliza finds herself alone in the world at the age of twenty-one, she accepts the very mysterious position of governess at Gaudlin Hall. Here she becomes responsible for a pair of very peculiar children - Eustace, to whom Eliza becomes fondly attached, despite his uncanny exchanges with unknown entities, and Isabella, whose sudden appearances and bizarre utterances and behavior made my skin crawl! Mystifying comments by the children, evasive conversations with the townspeople and the knowledge that she is the sixth governess to be hired over the past year, all lead Eliza to realize that she has entered into a very puzzling situation indeed! But, even more daunting is the malicious presence that begins to threaten Eliza's ability to fulfill her obligation as governess and in fact, torments her very life.

Plenty of suspense and a gothic feel, rather than pure horror, unfold as Eliza learns the history of Gaudlin Hall and its inhabitants. Refusing to leave the children to an unknown fate, the very resourceful Eliza must devise a plan to effect their release from this menacing spirit. What happens next? Does Eliza succeed? You will just have to get this book and find out! Recommended to all fans of classic and creepy ghost stories rather than grisly horror novels.
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Jun 21, 2022 Book Concierge rated it liked it

Shelves: 19th-century, historical-fiction, england, library, concierge, strong-women, ghosts, orphans, paranormal

It is 1867 and Eliza Caine, whose father has just died and left her virtually penniless, responds to an advertisement for a governess position at Gaudlin Hall in Norfolk, England. When she finally arrives, after a frightening incident in the thick fog, she’s greeted by the two children for whom she’ll care, Isabella and Eustace. But there is no adult present, and the children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room a second terrifying incident occurs and Eliza begins to question wheth ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Oct 08, 2019 Nancy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-books

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.

4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 19, 2015 Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, tbrhchallenge, themechallenge2015

What a delightfully creepy story, can I say delightful and creepy?
I truly enjoyed the prose and the unfolding of the mystery behind Gaudlin Hall. The book reminded me of the gothic tales of Jane Eyre , Rebecca , and The Woman in White . Jane Eyre's character was epitomized in the description of Eliza, a young woman tending to young children in a mysterious and gloomy abode with a malign, yet passionate, presence. Rebecca came to mind towards the end of the story, with the battle between spi ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Tasha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: gothic-ghost

This book gets such mixed reviews so I put off reading it despite some positive comments from podcasts and readers. I finally picked it up because I wanted something creepy to read. I'm glad I did, it was pretty darn creepy. It didn't feel like a gothic creepy, just straight up ghost/poltergeist creepy. The writing wasn't amazing, it's more of the story on this that did it for me. This book left me really curious about the author's other works so I'll be checking them out. ...more

1 like · Like · see review