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The House of Gentle Men
In a year of war, sixteen-year-old Charlotte sets off on a mission of love in the backwoods of Louisiana, only to be violated by three soldiers in a lonely section of the forest. Charlotte's young life is destroyed, but another life is growing inside her. Years later, in peacetime, Charlotte comes to House of Gentle Men, a mysterious sanctuary where sad, damaged women are administered to by haunted men wishing to atone for their past crimes. Here, Charolotte falls in love with one of the Gentle Men, a tormented young soldier with a terrible secret of his own. An artistic triumph of the highest order, this debut is a transcendent tale of salvation that celebrates the strength of the heart.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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About the author
Kathy Hepinstall
7 books372 followersKathy Hepinstall grew up in Spring, Texas, near the Louisiana border. Her most recent book is The Book of Polly. Polly is based, in part, on Kathy’s own mother, who has as wicked a tongue as her fictional counterpart. Kathy now lives in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
October 25, 2011
To be totally honest, I thought this book was an insulting piece of crap. The only remotely interesting thing about it is the idea for the house itself -- in an attempt to win back the wife who left him, a man sets up a "house of gentle men". Men who have wronged women come to live at this house and try and redeem themselves, do penance, and find peace by "servicing" the women of the nearby town. They do not have sex with the women but kiss, carress, dance with, and, most importantly, listen to them. Everyone with a mile radius of the house seems to be connected to one other and all of them have some deep, hidden secret/problem/angst/issue/whatever that only one person can relieve them of. Believeable? Not hardly.
The characters are completely one dimensional and unbelieveable; the dialogue is horrendously false-sounding an uninteresting; and the tidy little wrapped up package in the end is insulting to an intellegent reader. Contrary to many reviews, I didn't think it was "complex", "tightly-woven", and least of all "excellent". Haunting, yes, and I don't mean that as a complement.
My main complaint, however, is with the two main characters -- Charlotte and Justin. Years before, Justin participated in a gang-bang-style rape of the young Charlotte who, since she kept her eyes closed and was then blind-folded, does not recognize him when he arrives at the House. The rape produced a child whom Charlotte secretly gives birth to an abandons in the woods, an action which continues to haunt her. In time, Charlotte tells Justin the story of her rape and he eventually tells her that he was one of her rapists. Though she lashes out at him at first, in time, she comes to forgive him, fall in love, and the book ends with them planning on raising their newly found son together.
As a rape survivor, I find the idea of a rape victim falling in love with her attacker to be astoundingly offensive. The author, especially as a woman, should be ashamed of herself, as should her publisher.
Amazon reviewers (87 of them) gave the book an average rating of 4.5 (out of 5) stars though I truly have no idea why. I want back the time I wasted reading this worthless, insulting book.
The characters are completely one dimensional and unbelieveable; the dialogue is horrendously false-sounding an uninteresting; and the tidy little wrapped up package in the end is insulting to an intellegent reader. Contrary to many reviews, I didn't think it was "complex", "tightly-woven", and least of all "excellent". Haunting, yes, and I don't mean that as a complement.
My main complaint, however, is with the two main characters -- Charlotte and Justin. Years before, Justin participated in a gang-bang-style rape of the young Charlotte who, since she kept her eyes closed and was then blind-folded, does not recognize him when he arrives at the House. The rape produced a child whom Charlotte secretly gives birth to an abandons in the woods, an action which continues to haunt her. In time, Charlotte tells Justin the story of her rape and he eventually tells her that he was one of her rapists. Though she lashes out at him at first, in time, she comes to forgive him, fall in love, and the book ends with them planning on raising their newly found son together.
As a rape survivor, I find the idea of a rape victim falling in love with her attacker to be astoundingly offensive. The author, especially as a woman, should be ashamed of herself, as should her publisher.
Amazon reviewers (87 of them) gave the book an average rating of 4.5 (out of 5) stars though I truly have no idea why. I want back the time I wasted reading this worthless, insulting book.
January 13, 2012
I've seen both very positive and very negative reviews about this book. For me, this is one of the best books I ever had the pleasure to read. It's lyrical, poetic almost, with a lulling cadence that almost masks the horrors that take place in the lives of all the people involved. Almost, but not quite.
Everyone has his own burden to bear. Not only Charlotte, whose voice was stolen with her innocence at that riverbank. Not only Justin, who came to seek salvation and found more than he bargained for. Not only Milo, who liked to play with fire and thus got the blame for every wisp of smoke found. Not Louise, who tried to clean away the pain of a mother leaving in the night. Not Benjamin, the boy that wanted to be a man, or Daniel, the man that wanted to be a boy, and not Belinda, who learned that real fairy tales are dark, and rarely have a happy ending.
I liked this book, because it tells of sorrow and how to deal with it. We mourn what could have been, but like time, we have to move on. Even if we don't know how. We find comfort in the most simple things.
The book deals with rape, and I have seen negative reviews from rape victims who fiercely disagree with how this book dealt with such a delicate subject. I can understand them, but personally, I disagree with them. Being a survivor of a different kind of trauma, I do know it is possible to love the one that hurt you deepest. Call me crazy, I don't mind. but this book has helped me heal tremendously, and I have read it time and time again. And I know of people with pasts more similar to Charlotte's who agree with me.
This story is so beautifully written, it lulls you into that false sense of safety whilst underneath, you know that something is brewing. Something big, but you can't really explain why you think that.
To conclude, I simply love this book, and I am proud to have it in my possession. I am sure I will read it again in the future, because every time I do, I see details that have previously gone unnoticed. Beautiful. Simply. Completely.
Everyone has his own burden to bear. Not only Charlotte, whose voice was stolen with her innocence at that riverbank. Not only Justin, who came to seek salvation and found more than he bargained for. Not only Milo, who liked to play with fire and thus got the blame for every wisp of smoke found. Not Louise, who tried to clean away the pain of a mother leaving in the night. Not Benjamin, the boy that wanted to be a man, or Daniel, the man that wanted to be a boy, and not Belinda, who learned that real fairy tales are dark, and rarely have a happy ending.
I liked this book, because it tells of sorrow and how to deal with it. We mourn what could have been, but like time, we have to move on. Even if we don't know how. We find comfort in the most simple things.
The book deals with rape, and I have seen negative reviews from rape victims who fiercely disagree with how this book dealt with such a delicate subject. I can understand them, but personally, I disagree with them. Being a survivor of a different kind of trauma, I do know it is possible to love the one that hurt you deepest. Call me crazy, I don't mind. but this book has helped me heal tremendously, and I have read it time and time again. And I know of people with pasts more similar to Charlotte's who agree with me.
This story is so beautifully written, it lulls you into that false sense of safety whilst underneath, you know that something is brewing. Something big, but you can't really explain why you think that.
To conclude, I simply love this book, and I am proud to have it in my possession. I am sure I will read it again in the future, because every time I do, I see details that have previously gone unnoticed. Beautiful. Simply. Completely.
May 4, 2016
I have had a lot of trouble sorting my feelings on this book. I don't know if it is a 1 star or a 5 star, so hence the 3 star.
Here's the premise if you need a bit more from the blurb:
There is A LOT wrong with the premise - morally and conceptually. But it is bizarrely well written and engaging. I don't know that I really "liked" this book, but it was interesting enough that I read every word.
Here's the premise if you need a bit more from the blurb:
There is A LOT wrong with the premise - morally and conceptually. But it is bizarrely well written and engaging. I don't know that I really "liked" this book, but it was interesting enough that I read every word.
March 27, 2014
This is the most disappointing book I've read in the last ten years. Not because the story line progresses at a glacial pace, not because the characters are predictable and lackluster, but because of how offensive it is to any man or woman who has fallen victim to sexual assault. Hepinstall trivializes rape. Rape victims do NOT fall in love with their rapists. The very thought is repulsive. Hepinstall needs a class in sensitivity training.
March 19, 2009
I am not a big fan of Kathy Hepinstall's writing. I hated "The Absence of Nectar", and this book didn't change my mind. The premise is extremely far fetched - a rape victim who unknowingly falls in love with her attacker. Readers have raved on and on about a story of love, loss and redemption. I was less enchanted. Ms. Hepinstall takes pieces of a puzzle and forces them together to form a neat little package for the ending. Happily ever after? Nonsense. I didn't buy it - the crime too heinous and the journey to forgiveness was unconvincing. Not recommended.
December 13, 2010
This is one of the worst books ever written! One of my book clubs read this book a couple of years ago, but I did not read it then. I bought a copy at our used book sale and had in my "to read" stack for over a year. Recently we were going on a trip and I looked for a paperback to read on the plane. I read this book on the plane, made notes so I could warn others not to read it, and dumped it in the trash at the airport as soon as I got off.
Every man in the book is a terrible person. Even the ones who seem good at first are not. The three main female characters in the book, Charlotte, her best friend Belinda, and Louise, are all crazy. I cannot imagine why my book group chose it or what they discussed about it. The author uses flowery language to discuss situations where that type of language is not appropriate.
This novel was published in 2000 and was the first novel for this author. I don't know if she has written anything else, but I would not read it if she has. The cover describes it as a "deeply poetic novel" and "enormously generous of spirit." I didn't buy any of that. This book is just bad writing!
Every man in the book is a terrible person. Even the ones who seem good at first are not. The three main female characters in the book, Charlotte, her best friend Belinda, and Louise, are all crazy. I cannot imagine why my book group chose it or what they discussed about it. The author uses flowery language to discuss situations where that type of language is not appropriate.
This novel was published in 2000 and was the first novel for this author. I don't know if she has written anything else, but I would not read it if she has. The cover describes it as a "deeply poetic novel" and "enormously generous of spirit." I didn't buy any of that. This book is just bad writing!
June 5, 2012
Kathy Hepinstall has the most beautiful voice. I found this book very haunting and lovely and wonderfully unique. The story moves rather like a mystery, revealing bits and pieces of heartache and drama from the past, even as characters and events hurtle toward a devastating conclusion. I felt a sense of dread as I read, and yet I couldn't put the book down. The writing is lyrical and lush as the Louisiana woods where the House of Gentle Men awaits, offering a chance for redemption to the guilty and companionship to the lonely. Its a weighty story lusciously told. Hepinstall's characters run through dropped pies and leave blueberry footprints all over the floor. They twirl as their clothes go up in flames. They make lavender pillows to escape the reality of a disappointing marriage. But don't let the lavender pillows fool you. The story takes on gritty topics such as war, rape, physical abuse, and the power of forgiveness. The day I finished, I rushed out to the library to get Hepenstall's newest book, Blue Asylum. So far, it's wonderful too.
April 19, 2014
This is one of the few books that I didn't finish because I just hated it that badly!
It is horrible. It is creepy. It has lots of weird, dirty filth in it. The plot is strange and doesn't make sense. It's also boring. I can't say enough bad things about it.
I read it almost a year ago, so I can't remember a lot of specifics, but I rarely stop reading a book because of pure hatred for it. Sometimes I stop reading because of boredom etc., but this was a much stronger emotion of dislike.
I did skim to the end and read the ending, and still hated it. Sorry people.
It is horrible. It is creepy. It has lots of weird, dirty filth in it. The plot is strange and doesn't make sense. It's also boring. I can't say enough bad things about it.
I read it almost a year ago, so I can't remember a lot of specifics, but I rarely stop reading a book because of pure hatred for it. Sometimes I stop reading because of boredom etc., but this was a much stronger emotion of dislike.
I did skim to the end and read the ending, and still hated it. Sorry people.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : The House of Gentle Men - Nevisande : Kathy Hepinstall - ISBN : 380809362 - ISBN13 : 9780380809363 - Dar 352 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 1999
March 20, 2021
I don't know whether to be insulted by this book or not. I found it very unsettling. The premise of a rape victim forgiving and fall in love with her attacker doesn't sit well with me at all. I think the author was trying to go for forgiveness and that sins are complicated, but it just didn't work for me.
April 24, 2022
This is a first novel and the second novel by this author I have read. I like her writing style and unique plots. A good read.
February 2, 2011
The House of Gentle Men has been on my radar for a long time. A few years back I read Hepinstall’s novel The Absence of Nectar which I liked quite a lot. There was something intriguing about the premise of The House of Gentle Men so I took a chance. I’m not sure that everyone in my book club would agree, but this book paid off for me.
The House of Gentle Men is actually the name of an establishment run by Mr. Olen, a single father who is hoping that if he makes up, in some way, for neglecting the wife who subsequently left him, she’ll return to him. He opens a house for Gentle Men, offering men who have the need to atone for some past wrongdoing the opportunity to redeem themselves.
“You think you could spend all night with someone, just kissing? Touching? Whispering sweet nothings? Maybe a little waltzing?”
These are the questions he asks, Justin, a young man who wanders into the house looking for a way to right his own wrongs. Justin, as it turns out, has a lot to atone for. Seven years previous, while he was a young soldier on maneuvers, he came upon two fellow soldiers raping a young girl in the woods. Instead of doing the right thing, he took his turn.
Several lives intersect at the house for gentle men. Hepinstall deftly creates interior lives for even minor characters. All of them are damaged in some way; some of them are reprehensible; many of them deserve the redemption they so ardently seek.
This book took a few pages (about 75) to work for me. It seemed somehow cheesy - this whole idea of a place where tired, frustrated, broken women could go to find comfort – not from sex (although everything but intercourse is allowed), but from companionship. But, in the end, it did work . I grew attached to the characters, Charlotte in particular – who loses her voice (or chooses not to speak) after the attack. As she navigates her way out of her pain and anger, into the light offered by forgiveness, it’s almost impossible not to feel something for her.
So The House of Gentle Men may require a suspension of disbelief, but I think it’s worth it in the end.
The House of Gentle Men is actually the name of an establishment run by Mr. Olen, a single father who is hoping that if he makes up, in some way, for neglecting the wife who subsequently left him, she’ll return to him. He opens a house for Gentle Men, offering men who have the need to atone for some past wrongdoing the opportunity to redeem themselves.
“You think you could spend all night with someone, just kissing? Touching? Whispering sweet nothings? Maybe a little waltzing?”
These are the questions he asks, Justin, a young man who wanders into the house looking for a way to right his own wrongs. Justin, as it turns out, has a lot to atone for. Seven years previous, while he was a young soldier on maneuvers, he came upon two fellow soldiers raping a young girl in the woods. Instead of doing the right thing, he took his turn.
Several lives intersect at the house for gentle men. Hepinstall deftly creates interior lives for even minor characters. All of them are damaged in some way; some of them are reprehensible; many of them deserve the redemption they so ardently seek.
This book took a few pages (about 75) to work for me. It seemed somehow cheesy - this whole idea of a place where tired, frustrated, broken women could go to find comfort – not from sex (although everything but intercourse is allowed), but from companionship. But, in the end, it did work . I grew attached to the characters, Charlotte in particular – who loses her voice (or chooses not to speak) after the attack. As she navigates her way out of her pain and anger, into the light offered by forgiveness, it’s almost impossible not to feel something for her.
So The House of Gentle Men may require a suspension of disbelief, but I think it’s worth it in the end.
March 24, 2010
Very well written book. The characters are fun, the conflict is entertaining, and the story is very well told.
Kathy has a way with words. She's a throwback to times when well written books also meant that the language used was musical, almost like coherent poetry. That's how Kathy writes; it's a trait you will find in all her books.
Kathy has a gift for immersing the reader in vivid imagery. She blends the environment into her stories in such a way as to add color and substance to the environment enhancing the story. So many writers detract from the story by trying to describe the glorious landscape or the fetid living conditions. Kathy is one of the only authors that I have read that really gets it right.
This story is very fun, albeit, somewhat dark. It's not my normal type of read, but I found that I didn't want to put it down. I'm not going into the story, I don't need to. It stands on its own. Pick it up, read it, you'll like it. I guaranty it.
Kathy has a way with words. She's a throwback to times when well written books also meant that the language used was musical, almost like coherent poetry. That's how Kathy writes; it's a trait you will find in all her books.
Kathy has a gift for immersing the reader in vivid imagery. She blends the environment into her stories in such a way as to add color and substance to the environment enhancing the story. So many writers detract from the story by trying to describe the glorious landscape or the fetid living conditions. Kathy is one of the only authors that I have read that really gets it right.
This story is very fun, albeit, somewhat dark. It's not my normal type of read, but I found that I didn't want to put it down. I'm not going into the story, I don't need to. It stands on its own. Pick it up, read it, you'll like it. I guaranty it.
March 1, 2014
This is absolutely one of the best books I've read. It is a unique and beautifully written story of turmoil, betrayal, love, sacrifice, redemption, and forgiveness. Ms. Hepinstall's story shows us that love can originate where we least expect it and can overcome the most difficult obstacles, and heal the most broken of hearts. It really is a wonderful first novel. I can't wait to read her other books. I read this book two years ago and I still think about it and recommend it to everyone.
January 19, 2010
A very leisurely book- almost too slow. While there were some good passages (in particular the part on p 255: 'I am seized by soldiers and by butterflies') I ultimately came away unsatisfied and somewhat annoyed that the book did not meet my expectations.
June 24, 2012
I positively Loved this book! It was full of hope and redemption. The author writes in a language that kept me fastened to the page until the very end!
June 7, 2015
This is, hands down, my favorite book. I've read it five times. I would recommend to anyone.
July 19, 2015
Very serange characters and general premise. I just had to finish it---call it a compulsion...
July 10, 2014
Beautiful. One of the best, most beautifully written books I have ever read.
April 6, 2021
The story takes place during the 1940's in Louisiana, where a young adolescent girl, Charlotte, is met with tragedy upon tragedy. She loses her mother in a fire started by her younger brother and is raped by three soldiers. After the rape, Charlotte becomes mute and bears an unwanted pregnancy from one of the rapes. This child is born in the woods and is taken in by a girl who thinks he is a foundling. This girl, Louise, lives in the House of Gentle Men, started by her father in hopes of winning back her mother who ran away with another man. In this house of Gentle Men, men "service" women in a gentle manner. No sex, only gentle touching, kissing, dancing, and an abundance of soft sighing. A man named Justin arrives at this house and, lo and behold, he is one of Charlotte's rapists. To make an already convoluted story short, Charlotte falls in love with one of her rapists and finds her child. Abracadabra, happy family, forgiveness and redemption.
I am not quite sure how to feel about this book. It was a fairly easy read, but I felt like it lacked depth of content and the dialogue seemed stilted. What was extremely unsettling to me was that Charlotte was, not only able to forgive Justin for the crime he had committed against her, but actually falls in love with him. This felt like some kind of Stockholm syndrome on steroids. I think most rape and sexual assault survivors would be quite horrified and insulted by this portrayal. I can see how others might see the story, as one of redemption and forgiveness, but it just irked me.
I am not quite sure how to feel about this book. It was a fairly easy read, but I felt like it lacked depth of content and the dialogue seemed stilted. What was extremely unsettling to me was that Charlotte was, not only able to forgive Justin for the crime he had committed against her, but actually falls in love with him. This felt like some kind of Stockholm syndrome on steroids. I think most rape and sexual assault survivors would be quite horrified and insulted by this portrayal. I can see how others might see the story, as one of redemption and forgiveness, but it just irked me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2017
A most unusual story. A place where women lacking and needing simple affection and closeness can go to find contentment in their sad and troubled lives. The men, looking for salvation for their past sins against women are expected to deliver whatever is asked of them - listening, dancing, caressing and kissing but not sex. Works wonderfully well until Justin arrives. He becomes the catalyst that will tear the house apart.
April 19, 2025
Rounded up to 3.5/5
My Original Thoughts (2002):
Reminiscent of Alice Hoffman and Laura Esquivel - mystical tone. Set in Louisiana in 1941. It took me quite a while to get interested in this book. I might have given up if it weren't a group read. A couple of surprises, but an abrupt ending that was disappointing.
My Current Thoughts:
No recollection of this novel. Just adding it to my list of books read in 2002.
My Original Thoughts (2002):
Reminiscent of Alice Hoffman and Laura Esquivel - mystical tone. Set in Louisiana in 1941. It took me quite a while to get interested in this book. I might have given up if it weren't a group read. A couple of surprises, but an abrupt ending that was disappointing.
My Current Thoughts:
No recollection of this novel. Just adding it to my list of books read in 2002.
August 14, 2023
Simple, beautiful, and tastefully written. The evolution of the characters from start to finish is masterful. And it makes it hard to put the book down.
However this book might not be for everyone, and Charlotte's choice about Justin is not necessarily agreeable. But Milo's arc is really the greater one in the story. Perfect ending for him.
However this book might not be for everyone, and Charlotte's choice about Justin is not necessarily agreeable. But Milo's arc is really the greater one in the story. Perfect ending for him.
November 12, 2021
I am not sure if It is a 1 star or 5 stars! The ending was so poetic and Intense! I feel like I want to sit and debrief this book and sort it out! I loved The Book of Polly so much that I wanted to read anything by this author. I’m glad I finished the book. It was dark for me and felt weighty!
August 7, 2017
Endings seem to be very hard for authors. It's true in this case, anyway. I liked almost the entire book, but it was spoiled by the ending!
October 27, 2018
Couldn't
Couldn't get past page 100. Boring and poorly plotted.
Couldn't get past page 100. Boring and poorly plotted.
December 26, 2021
Ahhh, this book is definitely one of my favorites. I've discovered this book a few years ago and I've haven't been able to stop reading it.
May 22, 2022
Looking forward to chatting with book club friends about this one.
March 14, 2024
Loved the way it was written, hated the story, outdated message.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews