This House Is Haunted – John Boyne

"This House is Haunted" channels the spirit of a Victorian gothic novel with John Boyne capturing the genre's signature atmosphere and whispered gossip about dastardly deeds at a remote English estate. 

However, he breathes new life into the story by giving protagonist, Eliza Caine, a refreshingly modern sensibility. Unlike the typical damsel in distress, Eliza sheds her initial timidity to become a resourceful protector for the children in her care. 

This unique blend of classic setting and contemporary heroine is the novel's greatest strength in what is otherwise a passably but mostly mediocre affair.

As with his novel “The Absolutist,” Boyne uses “House” to pay homage to a master storyteller, in this case Charles Dickens. The famed author’s influence is undeniable — there is social commentary, mystery and highly descriptive language — and Boyne even has him pop-up as a crucial plot point.

The book opens with a scene featuring the famed author himself, captivating a rapt audience with a ghost story on a rainy night in London. This serves as a clever way to anchor the reader into both the gothic genre and its historical context. I wish there would’ve been more moments like it. 

As is de rigueur, the core plot — in this case Eliza trying to survive the supernatural happenings that befelled four out of the five previous Governesses to the Westerly children — is filled with many red herrings and spooky scenarios but it all felt a little blah.

While the setup is intriguing and Boyne's prose is strong, the story just didn't hook me. The emphasis on Eliza's looks felt unnecessary. Some plot points introduced for societal observations are left unresolved. The repetitive cliffhangers grew tiresome.

All that to say, “House” hits all the beats of a decent gothic ghost story, but not a groundbreaking one. 

As someone who struggles with this genre in general, the final reveal was predictable – all brought on by a mother’s rage (huh?) – and the action sequences, though atmospheric, lacked originality (you can only have so many fog-induced close calls).

Fans of classic, moody stories with a modern twist might find it enjoyable as Boyne's skilled storytelling keeps the pages turning, even if the overall experience is a bit uneven.

Rating (story): 3/5 stars

Rating (narration): N/A

Format: eBook (personal library)

Dates read: July 6 – July 13, 2024

Multi-tasking: N/A