By Sarah Waters
Genre Horror, Suspense
Format Audio book
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis
Dr. Faraday is called to the Georgian house Hundreds Hall, home to the Ayres for over two generations. Always an admirer of the old manor he soon finds himself enmeshed with the family and their troubles. The house is struggling financially and as a result is falling down around them but soon strange occurrences begin to take place and Dr. Faraday struggles to determine if the house is truly haunted or if the family is slowly going insane.
First Sentence
I first saw Hundreds Hall when I was ten years old.
I saw a preview of the movie they're making based on this book and became intrigued. I'd heard of Sarah Waters but haven't read any of her books before. I guess this one isn't her usual style but it sounded good to me so I gave it a listen.
It was pretty creepy, guys. My anxiety was flaring up while listening and I had to put it down sometimes and give my poor nerves a break.
I really loved the style and slow mystery as it unfurled. I loved the creepy house and the recounts of the haunting that was taking place. I was emotionally invested and dying to know what was going on. It was hard to stop listening.
But that ending made me want to scream! I wanted answers and was offered none! I guess if I was expected to come up with my own answers I have a theory but that's MY theory and I didn't write the book. Waters did and I'd like to know what HER theory was! Sheesh!
Still, despite the lack of any answers I liked the book and am interested in reading Water's other books.
I've enjoyed a few of her books but haven't read this one. This sounds like a great read but I think I'd get frustrated too with sn ending like that. Still, Waters' writing is excellent IMO.
ReplyDeleteIt is. I loved her writing. I hear this one is different from her others so I have nothing to compare it to yet.
DeleteHm, I'm not always a fan of open-ended finales. I'm thinking this book's ending might drive me crazy, too. The haunted house aspect, though -- I'm always up for that! I'll have to give this one a go. I've heard good things about it.
ReplyDeleteIt was worth the read I just wanted a definitive ending and it was open ended. :(
DeleteI'm with you on the ending of this book. I wanted Waters to wrap things up just a little bit more...please! But the rest of the book was pretty good. Still, I haven't read her again, and it's probably because of that first impression/disappointment. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I’ve heard her others are quite different so I’ll try them but this evening just devastated.
DeleteI have a Sarah Waters book on my TBR shelf, but I haven't been able to read it yet. Great review!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to it soon. I want to know what others think of her books.
DeleteI have a thing about endings, and want to throw books out the window when I don't get the closure I need. It's such a shame too, because it sounds like the book really delivered on the horror front. =/
ReplyDeleteIt was nearly perfect. Stupid ending!
DeleteI've been wanting to read this forever, but I think the mixed reviews are what have kept me from actually doing it. I saw the preview for this before Hereditary I think, and it sealed the deal for me. I definitely want to read it before watching the movie. I'm glad to hear it's creepy and especially the house because haunted house stories are my favorite. I'm usually OK with ambiguous endings so we'll see!
ReplyDeleteYeah, if you’re good about ambiguous endings then this one will work perfectly for you because the horror parts were particularly creepy.
DeleteThis sounds really interesting! I don't know if I could handle it as a movie... I can read creepy books (mostly because things don't feel as 'real' when I read vs. when I watch something) but watching creepy movies? That's a big no-no. Still, I think it'd be fun to give this a whirl. Lovely review, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteLaura @BlueEyeBooks