Horror Aficionados discussion
This topic is about
The Invited
Group Reads
>
July 2019 Group Read #2: The Invited
message 51:
by
Cujo
(new)
-
rated it 2 stars
Jul 07, 2019 02:45PM
Ok I'm gonna go and make a very early predication. Due to Helen being the "Leader" in her marriage, she is gonna end up with Olive's father. She seems to be high strung and fairly bossy and he desperately needs a strong personality to provide him with structure
reply
|
flag
Mod
Or be like the bears and s**t in the woods?
Mod
*MINOR SPOILER*
Ya know, I don't recall them actually addressing that part (sewage)...
Mod
Mod
Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a functioning bathroom. Maybe there is a sewer line nearby? or septic tank? or it just washes out through a pipe and into the woods?
Alan wrote: "So, all you Pennsylvanians, where y'all from? I'm originally Scrantonian."Born in Lehighton, raised in Slatington,(about 20 minutes from Dorney Park)
WendyB wrote: "Born in Reading and raised near the armpit of PA, a little place called Boyertown.Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a functioning bathroom. Maybe there ..."
Hmmm I beg to differ as I think Palmerton is the actual armpit of PA.. We used to go to Reading all time to see the Reading Phillies play and when I got older I used to go to the outlets, and of course the Silo..My brother lives right outside of Reading in Leesport
Mod
Born in Lehighton, raised in Slatington,(about 20 minutes from Dorney Park)"
Went to Dorney Park every year as a kid.
Mod
Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a functioning bathroo..."
well everyone (and every state) has two armpits. LOL
After reading the PA comments, I'm thinking it's a damn shame the book wasn't set there.
Alan wrote: "WendyB wrote: "Have to admit to being skeptical about this couple building their own house, even if it is small. What about the plumbing and electrical work? How are they qualified to do things lik..."I quit this book. What did the sentence say? I'm super curious about this because I have worked in the construction field my entire life and had to put the book aside because it was so ridiculous that the two were building a saltbox house on their own via YouTube and assisting dad in the summer . . .
Alan wrote: "Cujo wrote: "I was wondering the same thing, plus what are they gonna do about sewage? I highly doubt they're on "City" sewer and I can't see them digging a septic tank because it's close to a natu..."Maybe they just do it in the bog or fenn or whatever that foggy place was.
WendyB wrote: "Cujo wrote: "Alan wrote: "So, all you Pennsylvanians, where y'all from? I'm originally Scrantonian."Born in Lehighton, raised in Slatington,(about 20 minutes from Dorney Park)"
Went to Dorney Par..."
I love Dorney. Went there a few times every year and worked summers there while in high school
Bark wrote: "Alan wrote: "Cujo wrote: "I was wondering the same thing, plus what are they gonna do about sewage? I highly doubt they're on "City" sewer and I can't see them digging a septic tank because it's cl..."So you're suggesting it wasn't mud they would sink in around the bog? LOL
Cujo wrote: "So you're suggesting it wasn't mud they would sink in around the bog? LOL ."Depends on your definition of mud! Beware the stinky mud. That's all I'm sayin'. :)
Mod
I'm almost finished and don't recall any explanation for them building the house.
This is not one of McMahon's better books. It reads like an author's first novel, something they wrote before getting their feet wet... hopefully not in that poopy bog. :/
Ginger wrote: "Vickie wrote: "Me too, it sounds interesting. 😊"Maybe we can do a BR on that in the next month or two? Would you be up for it?
I still need to get started on this one. I’m hoping to start on it s..."
Sorry Ginger, totally missed this. 🤦♀️ Yes, I'd definitely be up to doing a buddy read!👍😊
WendyB wrote: "Born in Reading and raised near the armpit of PA, a little place called Boyertown.Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a functioning bathroom. Maybe there ..."
Wow, small world! I was born in Reading and went to Muhlenberg. ☺️ Moved away as fast as I could, though.😏
Cujo wrote: "WendyB wrote: "Born in Reading and raised near the armpit of PA, a little place called Boyertown.Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a functioning bathroo..."
I worked at the R-Phils stadium when I was younger.😁
Mod
Hmmm I beg to differ as I think Palmerton is the actual armpit of PA.. We used to go to Reading all time to see the Reading Phillies play and when I got older I used to go to the outlets, and of course the Silo..My brother lives right outside of Reading in Leesport."
Gee, we always called Pittston the arm pit of PA.
Vickie wrote: "Sorry Ginger, totally missed this. 🤦♀️ Yes, I'd definitely be up to doing a buddy read!👍😊"No worries Vickie!
Maybe next month? I'm so slammed this month on books. How are you liking The Invited so far?
Mod
Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a functioning bathroo..."
So glad I'm away from that area too. I've lived in AZ for most of the last 30 yrs.
We've got family in Washington, Sewickley, Beaver and Wexford. All in the Pittsburgh area.Look at all the PA people on here! hahaha
Ginger wrote: "Vickie wrote: "Sorry Ginger, totally missed this. 🤦♀️ Yes, I'd definitely be up to doing a buddy read!👍😊"No worries Vickie!
Maybe next month? I'm so slammed this month on books. How are you liki..."
Yep, sounds good to me. 👍 I'm liking this book so far. Trying to keep an open mind with everything I'm reading on this thread.
Mod
Vickie wrote: "Trying to keep an open mind with everything I’m reading on this thread..."Same. I’m enjoying it so far.
Great to hear on The House Next Door BR! 👍
Just finished the book! Like some of the earlier comments mentioned, it was starting to lose me in the end but there was a final twist that won me over again at the last second. Wait for it.I tried to suspend my disbelief regarding the couple building the house on their own. But then it occurred to me that maybe Hattie has some hand in it. Some sort of otherworldly magic is helping Helen and Nate build the house on their own.
Just a thought.
Vickie wrote: "WendyB wrote: "Born in Reading and raised near the armpit of PA, a little place called Boyertown.Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a functioning bathroo..."
Wow the year I graduated the drama and art club at Muhlenberg did this really cool haunted hayride somewhere in Temple. They either only did it for one year or I just couldn't find it because I only went once
WendyB wrote: "Vickie wrote: "WendyB wrote: "Born in Reading and raised near the armpit of PA, a little place called Boyertown.Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a func..."
I was away and lived in Florida for a while, but somehow got sucked back, but to a different part of PA. Working on getting out again by this time next year
Cujo wrote: "Vickie wrote: "WendyB wrote: "Born in Reading and raised near the armpit of PA, a little place called Boyertown.Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a func..."
That's cool! It doesn't ring a bell to me, but then I'm getting up there in age, lol. 😉
Alan wrote: "Cujo wrote: "WendyB wrote: "Born in Reading and raised near the armpit of PA, a little place called Boyertown.Hmmm I beg to differ as I think Palmerton is the actual armpit of PA.. We used to go ..."
I got lost in Pittston once while coming back from Ozzfest at Montage. It wasn't fun
Think I'm about ready to throw in the towel for this one. This is just having a hard time keeping my interests, and the characters seem wooden.
Chandler wrote: "Just finished the book! Like some of the earlier comments mentioned, it was starting to lose me in the end but there was a final twist that won me over again at the last second. Wait for it.I tri..."
Great to hear Chandler! I will press on then. I love plot twists at the end. :D
Mod
I would have liked a book just about Hattie and her family. Those were the best parts of the book.
Mod
Regarding their competency to build their own home, it is mentioned early on that Helen grew up helping her dad build, maintain and fix houses. She didn't just help him one summer; she helped him for years. In addition, Nate helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Lastly, they did hire a contractor for the foundation (this is what is being done at the very beginning of their story) and then later on they opt for the plumbing (contractor rough in, Helen/Nate completed). And then a few people from the community start coming over to help with a couple other projects. One I recall is with installing windows.I think we often forget how much can be learned hands on. And I get it, the size home Helen and Nate built would seem impossible to anyone who hasn't built something with their own two hands, but it's more than possible -- Helen makes the point herself that that's exactly what "settlers" did when they colonized America. :-) She's in awe of the fact that those people didn't have power tools, etc. when they built their homes. She has a discussion with Olive about it.
Leah wrote: "Regarding their competency to build their own home, it is mentioned early on that Helen grew up helping her dad build, maintain and fix houses. She didn't just help him one summer; she helped him f..."Yes, but in the olden days they didn't have to deal with building inspectors, nor worry about adhering to very specific electrical code and all the things that a home builder must adhere to in these times. Did they even pull any permits?! Perhaps if it was set way back in time it would've been plausible but in the 2000's? I simply couldn't buy it. I work in the construction field and had to put the book aside for this and other reasons.
Ginger wrote: "Chandler wrote: "Just finished the book! Like some of the earlier comments mentioned, it was starting to lose me in the end but there was a final twist that won me over again at the last second. Wa..."Yes, keep going! Certain parts of the book will make sense, too. You'll know when you get there :)
Bark wrote: "Yes, but in the olden days they didn't have to deal with building inspectors, nor worry about adhering to very specific electrical code and all the things that a home builder must adhere to in these times."My take was that they're out in the boondocks, in a rural county with little to no strict codes or oversight. I assumed they pulled building permits, but personally I didn't feel it integral to the story to know that for sure. However, as someone who works in construction, I could see where that'd bother you.
Mod
I used to work at Montage back in the day.
Just finished today. Agreed about the lacklustre characters, but the last 50 or so pages were a nice run to the finish line.I don’t know about the building qualifications, as it’s not really my jam, but I think the author did lay it on pretty thick about their past experience and hours etc they had put into planning and prep.
The family tree though, that was a little telegraphed - Olive’s role.
Finished last night. The last 50 or so pages along with the "back stories" about Hattie's relatives were the best parts..The twist was pretty good too, didn't see that coming
It took until the half way point for this plot to get somewhat interesting.Ch 19 (view spoiler)If you know if this is correct, don’t tell me! I want to figure out what’s up with this group of Dicky’s. Maybe it’s all the (view spoiler)
I will have to say that the characters are “okay” but like someone said above, they feel a bit wooden. Nate the most. He’s the typical “character in the book that doesn’t believe in anything supernatural that will likely get killed”. Once again, don’t tell me! 🤣😂
I’m just starting this and so far it’s pretty interesting. I’ll have to check out the house next-door at some point, definitely not this month because so many books but if there’s a buddy read at some point I’d definitely be up for joining in, because I have no sense of self-preservation and keep adding more books to my list. I know very little to nothing about construction so I don’t expect the prospect of people randomly building their own house would bother me. But can I just speak up for people who drink craft beer and join book clubs? As a person who does both of these things I think they’re pretty great on the whole. I don’t complain about impassable roads but then I don’t drive on them either.
I just finished this book, and wanted to write down my thoughts before reading all the comments.I really enjoyed it! I loved the mystery and supernatural mix. I thought a few aspects a bit predictable: (view spoiler), but other things kept me guessing until the end such as (view spoiler)
Although I imagine the book is classified primarily as horror, I personally would describe it as foremost a mystery, with a para normal bent. That's fine by me, because I enjoy reading mysteries as well as horror:-).
D wrote: "I’ll have to check out the house next-door at some point, definitely not this month because so many books but if there’s a buddy read at some point I’d definitely be up for joining in, because I have no sense of self-preservation and keep adding more books to my list. "FYI - I think a few of us are planning on doing a BR next month of The House Next Door if you're interested. It will be on HA under buddy reads.
WendyB wrote: "Have to admit to being skeptical about this couple building their own house, even if it is small. What about the plumbing and electrical work? How are they qualified to do things like that and get ..."That part of it was a bit unbelievable :-). I don't know about the law in Vermont, but the state I live in (Iowa) you have to have a licensed electrician and or plumber to do that type of work, in order to pass inspection. And no inspection means no house insurance. Which is understandable: I doubt any insurance agency would want to insure a home where the wiring and pipes were done by an amateur.
WendyB wrote: "Born in Reading and raised near the armpit of PA, a little place called Boyertown.Ok, so in the book, the little trailor they stay in while building house has a functioning bathroom. Maybe there ..."
I think (?????) I remember that close to the beginning it mentions that the trailer has a septic tank, and that the new house would hook into that??? Although, it seems that they'd still have to dig up part of the yard to hook up to it?
Mod
Latasha wrote: "Ginger, I wouldn’t mind joining in the BR."Sweet Latasha!! It's planned for August, just don't have a date set yet. I believe Vickie is up for it as well. Is there a time that works for you?
I'm pretty open next month.
Mod
Horror Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
The House Next Door (other topics)The House Next Door (other topics)
The House Next Door (other topics)
The House Next Door (other topics)
The Night Sister (other topics)
More...
