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House of Windows
'The body is a house of many windows: there we all sit, showing ourselves and crying on the passers-by to come and love us.' Robert Louis Stevenson
Nick hates it when people call him a genius. Sure, he's going to Cambridge University aged 15, but he says that's just because he works hard. And, secretly, he only works hard to get some kind of attention from his workaholic father.
Not that his strategy is working.
When he arrives at Cambridge, he finds the work hard and socialising even harder. Until, that is, he starts to cox for the college rowing crew and all hell breaks loose...
Nick hates it when people call him a genius. Sure, he's going to Cambridge University aged 15, but he says that's just because he works hard. And, secretly, he only works hard to get some kind of attention from his workaholic father.
Not that his strategy is working.
When he arrives at Cambridge, he finds the work hard and socialising even harder. Until, that is, he starts to cox for the college rowing crew and all hell breaks loose...
363 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2015
9 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Alexia Casale
12 books176 followersShortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize. Longlisted for The Branford Boase Award. A Book of the Year 2013 for the Financial Times and Independent.
A British-American citizen of Italian heritage, Alexia is an author, editor and writing consultant. She also teaches English Literature and Writing.
After an MA in Social & Political Sciences (Psychology major) then MPhil in Educational Psychology & Technology, both at Cambridge University, she took a break from academia and moved to New York. There she worked on a Tony-award-winning Broadway show before returning to England to complete a PhD and teaching qualification. In between, she worked as a West End script-critic, box-office manager for a music festival and executive editor of a human rights journal.
She’s not sure which side of the family her dyslexia comes from, but is resigned to the fact that madness runs in both. She loves cats, collects glass animals and interesting knives, and has always wanted a dragon.
Alexia is represented by Claire Wilson of Rogers, Coleridge & White.
Her debut novel, The Bone Dragon, is published in English by Faber & Faber, and in German by Carlsen.
A British-American citizen of Italian heritage, Alexia is an author, editor and writing consultant. She also teaches English Literature and Writing.
After an MA in Social & Political Sciences (Psychology major) then MPhil in Educational Psychology & Technology, both at Cambridge University, she took a break from academia and moved to New York. There she worked on a Tony-award-winning Broadway show before returning to England to complete a PhD and teaching qualification. In between, she worked as a West End script-critic, box-office manager for a music festival and executive editor of a human rights journal.
She’s not sure which side of the family her dyslexia comes from, but is resigned to the fact that madness runs in both. She loves cats, collects glass animals and interesting knives, and has always wanted a dragon.
Alexia is represented by Claire Wilson of Rogers, Coleridge & White.
Her debut novel, The Bone Dragon, is published in English by Faber & Faber, and in German by Carlsen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
July 9, 2021
Honestly, the first half of the book bored me a lot, but i pushed on, and finally saw some stuff that appealed to me, particularly the relationship Nick and Tim shares. But other than that, i felt that the descriptions were...too much? Felt a little info-dumpy, and a lot of the descriptions, especially the ones about Cambridge, flew way past my head. I saw some reviews that said that they couldn't finish the book because nothing was happening, and that may be true, not mUch happened, which is something i'm usually fine with, so i think that's why i could finish this book. Like idk lol, this was an ok-ish book. The cover is pretty, Tim is the real mvp, and it was ok. (also, it probably took me way too long to realise that Michael was Nick's father fhdjsfbef)
June 22, 2016
Whoa...that took a while. I did NOT enjoy that at all.
September 13, 2015
Alexia is one of the most sophisticated writers on the UKYA scene. Her prose are just...indescribably beautiful.
August 19, 2015
The first thing I want to mention in this review is how different House Of Windows is to The Bone Dragon. I think it’s incredible that it’s the same writer, as House Of Windows definitely has a different vibe to it. It’s less dark, and more coming of age. That’s in no way a criticism, I personally feel like it shows what a versatile writer Alexia is! As I am always honest in my reviews, I will say that House of Windows is definitely a slow burning book, but stick with it, as it’s totally worth it!
House of Windows follows Nick, who is going to Cambridge University at the age of fifteen. Nick is incredibly bright, but doesn’t like to be labelled as a ‘genius’. He just sees himself as hard working! First of all, Nick struggles with the transition to university, especially being so young. He finds the university work harder than he had anticipated and the socialisation is something he’s never really been good at. Nick joins the rowing crew, hoping to eventually make a friend so he doesn’t feel so isolated.
Nick’s isolation from his peers is a really strong element to House Of Windows. I don’t think that Nick is a particularly likeable character at the start of the book, but as the book progresses, I started to understand and empathise with him more. I felt like Nick was craving recognition from his father who worked hard. At the heart of House Of Windows is a story about the importance of family and feeling like you belong.
Alexia Casale is a terrific writer. All of her characters are so well developed and House Of Windows is certainly a character driven story. Don’t expect this book to be like The Bone Dragon, it’s good in its own right and it is totally worth reading!
House of Windows follows Nick, who is going to Cambridge University at the age of fifteen. Nick is incredibly bright, but doesn’t like to be labelled as a ‘genius’. He just sees himself as hard working! First of all, Nick struggles with the transition to university, especially being so young. He finds the university work harder than he had anticipated and the socialisation is something he’s never really been good at. Nick joins the rowing crew, hoping to eventually make a friend so he doesn’t feel so isolated.
Nick’s isolation from his peers is a really strong element to House Of Windows. I don’t think that Nick is a particularly likeable character at the start of the book, but as the book progresses, I started to understand and empathise with him more. I felt like Nick was craving recognition from his father who worked hard. At the heart of House Of Windows is a story about the importance of family and feeling like you belong.
Alexia Casale is a terrific writer. All of her characters are so well developed and House Of Windows is certainly a character driven story. Don’t expect this book to be like The Bone Dragon, it’s good in its own right and it is totally worth reading!
October 31, 2016
Sad to say I actually found this book terribly boring. Completely over the top on the constantly waxing lyrical about her obsession with Cambridge. The one redeeming feature was the ending which I found quite moving.
January 15, 2022
Me at the start of this book: don’t get invested
Me three hours later: *sobbing* fuck I’m invested
Me three hours later: *sobbing* fuck I’m invested
August 10, 2015
Loved it. Loved Nick and all the characters and how much this book was about belonging and about family.
I really loved House of Windows by Alexia Casale. It is a book I'd been looking forward to reading very much, ever since Alexia Casale's previous book, The Bone Dragon, swept me away and broke my heart. I had very high expectations of House of Windows but luckily I enjoyed this book very much. It didn't initially feel as though I would be as affected emotionally by it as I was by The Bone Dragon but I found House of Windows to be a real slow-burner. It came as a huge surprise when in that last quarter, I had to put my book down and cry for a bit because I'd come to care a great deal more about these characters than I'd realised.
House of Windows is about a 15 year old boy, Nick, who is starting his first year of university in Camridge. And Nick will be the first to correct anyone who calls him a genius, he's not. What Nick is is somewhat prickly and sarcastic and I loved him for that. I always find myself relating to people completely unlike myself or with characters who have personality traits that I aspire to, and what Nick is definitely not is a people-pleaser and I loved that about him. What I also loved is getting to know Nick and finding out just what has turned him into the sort of person he is when we meet him.
I have to admit, it was a little difficult to get into this book straight away. That first 50 pages or so are all about the different words and phrases that people who go to Cambridge University call things. They have their own words for everything and it felt like a steep learning curve for both Nick and the reader trying to navigate through this new lingo. And at first, I wasn't sure how necessary it was but it got to a certain point and I started thinking differently. I think having this language for things helps set up the incredible setting that is Cambridge University. I've never been, but after reading House of Windows, I really feel like planning a day-trip and doing some exploring of my own. And I felt like I was part of it too, in learning these new phrases for everything and seeing Cambridge University through the eyes of Nick.
But also, I felt like this book was about Nick finding a place to belong and everything worth joining has it's own language. From families to universities to sports teams (like the rowing crew Nick joins). It felt like it all came together as Nick was learning the language and the people involved and his part in everything. It just made sense.
The thing that I loved so much about this book is that it's very character driven. There isn't a great deal of plot, it covers an academic year and follows Nick on his journey through this first year of university. But it felt like so much more as Nick really progresses throughout the story from this kind of unlikeable, lonely teenage boy into someone who belongs.
The family relationships and friendships in this book really made me cry. But what I loved about them in particular was how real Alexia Casale made them all. I read this book and it felt like she'd brought these characters to life for me. And even if I didn't always like them (looking at you, Nick's dad) I at least always felt like they were believable in the things that they said or did. I loved the realisations that Nick comes to about the meaning of friendship and what it is to be a family.
House of Windows is a really beautiful book. It's beautifully written and populated with some amazing characters. The themes brought up of belonging and of family and letting other people in were really important felt incredibly emotional for me. It felt like the book I needed to read at exactly the right time. This is an amazing book and I really highly recommend it.
I really loved House of Windows by Alexia Casale. It is a book I'd been looking forward to reading very much, ever since Alexia Casale's previous book, The Bone Dragon, swept me away and broke my heart. I had very high expectations of House of Windows but luckily I enjoyed this book very much. It didn't initially feel as though I would be as affected emotionally by it as I was by The Bone Dragon but I found House of Windows to be a real slow-burner. It came as a huge surprise when in that last quarter, I had to put my book down and cry for a bit because I'd come to care a great deal more about these characters than I'd realised.
House of Windows is about a 15 year old boy, Nick, who is starting his first year of university in Camridge. And Nick will be the first to correct anyone who calls him a genius, he's not. What Nick is is somewhat prickly and sarcastic and I loved him for that. I always find myself relating to people completely unlike myself or with characters who have personality traits that I aspire to, and what Nick is definitely not is a people-pleaser and I loved that about him. What I also loved is getting to know Nick and finding out just what has turned him into the sort of person he is when we meet him.
I have to admit, it was a little difficult to get into this book straight away. That first 50 pages or so are all about the different words and phrases that people who go to Cambridge University call things. They have their own words for everything and it felt like a steep learning curve for both Nick and the reader trying to navigate through this new lingo. And at first, I wasn't sure how necessary it was but it got to a certain point and I started thinking differently. I think having this language for things helps set up the incredible setting that is Cambridge University. I've never been, but after reading House of Windows, I really feel like planning a day-trip and doing some exploring of my own. And I felt like I was part of it too, in learning these new phrases for everything and seeing Cambridge University through the eyes of Nick.
But also, I felt like this book was about Nick finding a place to belong and everything worth joining has it's own language. From families to universities to sports teams (like the rowing crew Nick joins). It felt like it all came together as Nick was learning the language and the people involved and his part in everything. It just made sense.
The thing that I loved so much about this book is that it's very character driven. There isn't a great deal of plot, it covers an academic year and follows Nick on his journey through this first year of university. But it felt like so much more as Nick really progresses throughout the story from this kind of unlikeable, lonely teenage boy into someone who belongs.
The family relationships and friendships in this book really made me cry. But what I loved about them in particular was how real Alexia Casale made them all. I read this book and it felt like she'd brought these characters to life for me. And even if I didn't always like them (looking at you, Nick's dad) I at least always felt like they were believable in the things that they said or did. I loved the realisations that Nick comes to about the meaning of friendship and what it is to be a family.
House of Windows is a really beautiful book. It's beautifully written and populated with some amazing characters. The themes brought up of belonging and of family and letting other people in were really important felt incredibly emotional for me. It felt like the book I needed to read at exactly the right time. This is an amazing book and I really highly recommend it.
December 7, 2016
Currently 23:51 and I'm usually asleep, but this book made me stay awake like good books do. My bedtime is usually 9:00 (no kidding) I don't think I've stayed this late over the past year.
Wow probably one of my favourite books this year. Taught me ALOT. I love contemporaries that mean something y'know? I keep saying this ...
So Nick is going to cambridge University at 15 years old and as we all no doubt know University of Cambridge is the ranked first amongst Uk universities. (Well actually some might say Oxford, or it the other way round?) oh AND NOT TO MENTION FIFTH IN THE WORLD. So Nick should be especially grateful being the youngest student. Before reading this I was nervous I wouldn't like the main character he might I dunno swotty (do people even use that word?)
But I loved Nick as much I loved this book (a lot). This book explores the life of a student and pressure of being social (yes pressure). Even though it had a bit of mathematics in I didn't mind at all.
The writing leaves a lot to the readers imagination, there's hardly any description how characters look like and this way Alexie is not dictating how a character is, it's how we imagine them. But seriously Cambridge seems so beautiful.
Life isn't about being more intelligent than others, it's not a competition who is more successful in grades it's about what you get and how you respond especially to the people who help you the most in your bitter moments. And that's what Nick finds hard to learn he doesn't have a 'proper' family and hasn't had friends because he studies too hard and thinks a different way.
This struck a cord with me.
The body is a house of many windows:there we all sit, showing ourselves and crying on the passers-by to come and love us.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Have I mentioned the characters are brilliant here? There's this tutor who is like a Soft hearted vulture... too heard to explain rn my eyes are burning.
I need sleep or I'm going to be hungover tomorrow I have exams and work.
Wow probably one of my favourite books this year. Taught me ALOT. I love contemporaries that mean something y'know? I keep saying this ...
So Nick is going to cambridge University at 15 years old and as we all no doubt know University of Cambridge is the ranked first amongst Uk universities. (Well actually some might say Oxford, or it the other way round?) oh AND NOT TO MENTION FIFTH IN THE WORLD. So Nick should be especially grateful being the youngest student. Before reading this I was nervous I wouldn't like the main character he might I dunno swotty (do people even use that word?)
But I loved Nick as much I loved this book (a lot). This book explores the life of a student and pressure of being social (yes pressure). Even though it had a bit of mathematics in I didn't mind at all.
The writing leaves a lot to the readers imagination, there's hardly any description how characters look like and this way Alexie is not dictating how a character is, it's how we imagine them. But seriously Cambridge seems so beautiful.
Life isn't about being more intelligent than others, it's not a competition who is more successful in grades it's about what you get and how you respond especially to the people who help you the most in your bitter moments. And that's what Nick finds hard to learn he doesn't have a 'proper' family and hasn't had friends because he studies too hard and thinks a different way.
This struck a cord with me.
The body is a house of many windows:there we all sit, showing ourselves and crying on the passers-by to come and love us.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Have I mentioned the characters are brilliant here? There's this tutor who is like a Soft hearted vulture... too heard to explain rn my eyes are burning.
I need sleep or I'm going to be hungover tomorrow I have exams and work.
July 26, 2016
So, so dire. Only the second book ever in my life that I just couldn't bring myself to finish. Got to just over halfway to give it a chance and nothing happens. There is not one redeeming feature to this book. The characters are unrelatable and utterly flat, the writing and 'plot' is full of tired cliches and there is such a lack of description (other than when describing Cambridge University, which seemed just like a blatant brag that the author knew so much about it) that it is unclear what anybody is feeling or what is really happening, but luckily I didn't care too much. A flick to the last chapter just confirmed my thoughts towards the book, there was no progression from where I'd left it about 60% through. I want the time back I spent on it.
June 2, 2015
A detailed, delicious visit to the unique and often bizarre world of Cambridge University. This book is a brilliant character study of Nick, a fifteen year old undergraduate, as he struggles to reconcile his family life with university, his past, and learning how to make friends with people much older than you.
Nick is a difficult character in a lot of ways, and his emotional journey hits you all the harder for how slowly his background is revealed. I'm going to be thinking about him and his found family and wishing them well for a long time.
A stunning read from an expert writer, whose prose will have you rereading lines over and over.
Nick is a difficult character in a lot of ways, and his emotional journey hits you all the harder for how slowly his background is revealed. I'm going to be thinking about him and his found family and wishing them well for a long time.
A stunning read from an expert writer, whose prose will have you rereading lines over and over.
October 30, 2017
Teenage daughter borrowed from the library but couldn’t get into it. I read the blurb and thought I’d enjoy reminiscing about Cambridge. I did! Lovely touching book about misfits and finding love in unlikely places.
November 22, 2015
Alexia Casale first drew me into her magical little world with her first novel The Bone Dragon and her latest YA effort, House of Windows, cemented me completely as a loyal and admiring fan. I think I should mention that it's a very different novel to The Bone Dragon but this is in no way a slight to the author's writing. In fact, I was left in awe by her accomplished style and undeniable talent in making me feel so much for a fictional character that is, to be perfectly honest, not a particularly likeable person at the start of the novel.
The story centres around Nick, a young boy who is so intelligent that he is about to embark on university life at Cambridge, no less, at the tender age of fifteen. Unfortunately he does not endear himself to anyone at the beginning - outwardly, he's a bit of a smart-arse and tends to show off about how intelligent he is which is an annoyance to everyone he meets. But as the story continues, we begin to realise that Nick is a sensitive, sweet soul that just wants a niche to fit in and friends he can call his own.
When we meet Nick's father, Michael, we understand a lot more about his character. The reasons behind his social awkwardness, his difficulty with people in general and his tendency to shut away a lot of his feelings are laid down in black and white. Michael is a workaholic and often absent in his son's life, leaving a lot of Nick's upbringing to family friends and leaving him to navigate the scary world of university almost completely alone without the advice and support that he should be providing. I really connected personally to Nick's problems with his father and found him both enraging and exasperating. In fact, I referred to him in my mind as his father, genetically speaking and nothing else.
Despite Nick's issues with his father, he manages to find a place of sorts in the university with the help of characters like Tim, Ange (beautiful, crazy fairy lady) and Professor Goswin who I had a real soft spot for. For the first time, we see Nick managing to open up, admit he is vulnerable and accept help in the unlikeliest of places. In the end, I felt like even though we can't change what is given to us biologically family-wise, we can make our own family by surrounding ourselves with people who love and care for us and accept the person we are. The quote by Robert Louis Stevenson in the synopsis is a perfect way to describe this book, a coming of age epic that teaches us that there is nothing wrong with being ourselves and asking for help if we need it. Alexia Casale has written a simply stunning novel which slowly builds up to a narrative that affected me more than she will ever know.
“You’re not listening. Like so many people, you think that the important moments in the story of a life are big and loud, where really they’re small and quiet. Someone on the outside would think these moments unworthy of note, but you must recognise the important moments of your own life when they happen. It is very important.”
For my full review, please see my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
The story centres around Nick, a young boy who is so intelligent that he is about to embark on university life at Cambridge, no less, at the tender age of fifteen. Unfortunately he does not endear himself to anyone at the beginning - outwardly, he's a bit of a smart-arse and tends to show off about how intelligent he is which is an annoyance to everyone he meets. But as the story continues, we begin to realise that Nick is a sensitive, sweet soul that just wants a niche to fit in and friends he can call his own.
When we meet Nick's father, Michael, we understand a lot more about his character. The reasons behind his social awkwardness, his difficulty with people in general and his tendency to shut away a lot of his feelings are laid down in black and white. Michael is a workaholic and often absent in his son's life, leaving a lot of Nick's upbringing to family friends and leaving him to navigate the scary world of university almost completely alone without the advice and support that he should be providing. I really connected personally to Nick's problems with his father and found him both enraging and exasperating. In fact, I referred to him in my mind as his father, genetically speaking and nothing else.
Despite Nick's issues with his father, he manages to find a place of sorts in the university with the help of characters like Tim, Ange (beautiful, crazy fairy lady) and Professor Goswin who I had a real soft spot for. For the first time, we see Nick managing to open up, admit he is vulnerable and accept help in the unlikeliest of places. In the end, I felt like even though we can't change what is given to us biologically family-wise, we can make our own family by surrounding ourselves with people who love and care for us and accept the person we are. The quote by Robert Louis Stevenson in the synopsis is a perfect way to describe this book, a coming of age epic that teaches us that there is nothing wrong with being ourselves and asking for help if we need it. Alexia Casale has written a simply stunning novel which slowly builds up to a narrative that affected me more than she will ever know.
“You’re not listening. Like so many people, you think that the important moments in the story of a life are big and loud, where really they’re small and quiet. Someone on the outside would think these moments unworthy of note, but you must recognise the important moments of your own life when they happen. It is very important.”
For my full review, please see my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
October 24, 2015
Unlike The Bone Dragon I didn’t fall in love with Alexia Casale’s second book from page one but once I did – I fell hard.
House of Windows takes time and it’s a book that is driven by the characters not by the story. Much of the beginning is taken up by the descriptions of Cambridge which some people will love but I don’t think is for everyone.
Nick, his feelings of isolation and tendency to mumble to inanimate objects, was someone I connected with from the start. Naming/talking to objects is what all the best people do – well I do it, so I’m sticking to this theory. As he repeatedly tells people he’s not a genius he just works really hard, which is why he’s at Cambridge at the age of 15. If he didn’t fit in at school, connecting to colleague students is proving even tougher and Nick isn’t easy company. He admits that himself.
As you get deeper into the book you become more involved with the people Nick meets. There is Tim, Professor Gosswin and Ange. I think it was Ange who tipped me into over into the ‘I love this so much’ with her introduction. She’s wonderful. Please can I have her as my friend?
I’ve said this is a character book and it is. House of Windows follows Nick over the course of his first year and Cambridge, during this time Nick grows from someone who pushes everyone away to a young man who can see that people helping him doesn’t mean they’re pitying him.
It’s not just Nick that you get to know, many of the other characters become so real you end up getting into emotional knots (well I did) when something happens to them. The one person who remains consistent is Nick’s father, who I have reserved a special place for in my ‘loathe-box’. As absentee father he excels and every time he let Nick down (again) a little piece of me broke and raged.
House of Windows doesn’t tie up in a pretty bow endings, it leaves you with reality. Not everything is fixed, people don’t always change but others can surprise you and there are journeys to be had.
Finally I want to say something about the writing – which is wonderful (you probably already knew I would say that). What I wanted to highlight were the little gems throughout the book that made me stop to A) appreciate what I read B) want to share it C) want to hug the book and/or special people in my life.
House of Windows takes time and it’s a book that is driven by the characters not by the story. Much of the beginning is taken up by the descriptions of Cambridge which some people will love but I don’t think is for everyone.
Nick, his feelings of isolation and tendency to mumble to inanimate objects, was someone I connected with from the start. Naming/talking to objects is what all the best people do – well I do it, so I’m sticking to this theory. As he repeatedly tells people he’s not a genius he just works really hard, which is why he’s at Cambridge at the age of 15. If he didn’t fit in at school, connecting to colleague students is proving even tougher and Nick isn’t easy company. He admits that himself.
As you get deeper into the book you become more involved with the people Nick meets. There is Tim, Professor Gosswin and Ange. I think it was Ange who tipped me into over into the ‘I love this so much’ with her introduction. She’s wonderful. Please can I have her as my friend?
I’ve said this is a character book and it is. House of Windows follows Nick over the course of his first year and Cambridge, during this time Nick grows from someone who pushes everyone away to a young man who can see that people helping him doesn’t mean they’re pitying him.
It’s not just Nick that you get to know, many of the other characters become so real you end up getting into emotional knots (well I did) when something happens to them. The one person who remains consistent is Nick’s father, who I have reserved a special place for in my ‘loathe-box’. As absentee father he excels and every time he let Nick down (again) a little piece of me broke and raged.
House of Windows doesn’t tie up in a pretty bow endings, it leaves you with reality. Not everything is fixed, people don’t always change but others can surprise you and there are journeys to be had.
Finally I want to say something about the writing – which is wonderful (you probably already knew I would say that). What I wanted to highlight were the little gems throughout the book that made me stop to A) appreciate what I read B) want to share it C) want to hug the book and/or special people in my life.
February 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this book.
I really liked seeing how Nick dealt with going to Cambridge University at such a young age and seeing how he coped with the challenges that brought with it. It said a lot about whether children should be pushed to advance beyond their years when you saw the social isolation he felt because he was such an oddity amongst his peers and for that alone I really felt for him.
I loved how this book showcased Cambridge as a city and it has left me desperately wanting to go back and visit again as it has been far too long since I had the chance to wander around the city.
This book also had a lot to say about family which was really heartfelt and thoughtful
All in all definitely a book I would recommend although be warned it is rather a slow burner.
I really liked seeing how Nick dealt with going to Cambridge University at such a young age and seeing how he coped with the challenges that brought with it. It said a lot about whether children should be pushed to advance beyond their years when you saw the social isolation he felt because he was such an oddity amongst his peers and for that alone I really felt for him.
I loved how this book showcased Cambridge as a city and it has left me desperately wanting to go back and visit again as it has been far too long since I had the chance to wander around the city.
This book also had a lot to say about family which was really heartfelt and thoughtful
All in all definitely a book I would recommend although be warned it is rather a slow burner.
August 15, 2017
4.5 stars
House of Windows is one of those books that drew me in very subtly, and by the end, I was ready to just hug it for hours. This book, sure, it’s about a boy facing down some unusual challenges, but even more than that it’s about the way that people relate to one another. The ways in which we hurt each other, help each other, and take care of each other. I found this entire web of characters such a beautiful portrait of family — biological and found — that the title really resonated with me by the end. I loved it!
House of Windows is one of those books that drew me in very subtly, and by the end, I was ready to just hug it for hours. This book, sure, it’s about a boy facing down some unusual challenges, but even more than that it’s about the way that people relate to one another. The ways in which we hurt each other, help each other, and take care of each other. I found this entire web of characters such a beautiful portrait of family — biological and found — that the title really resonated with me by the end. I loved it!
August 14, 2017
'Like so many people, you think that the important moments in the story of a life are big and loud, where really they're small and quiet.'
Initially found this quite hard to like as Nick, the protagonist, is prickly and not very emotionally literate. On a personal level, reading about Cambridge also reminded me of all the reasons why I chose not to apply there, feeling that I would never fit in as someone from a working-class background. The true strength of this book is in the characters. Each one develops over the course of the book and each is realistic in their faults and foibles. I loved Professor Goodwin and was moved by the development of a sibling-like relationship between Nick and Tim.
A thoughtful coming-of-age story, recommended.
Initially found this quite hard to like as Nick, the protagonist, is prickly and not very emotionally literate. On a personal level, reading about Cambridge also reminded me of all the reasons why I chose not to apply there, feeling that I would never fit in as someone from a working-class background. The true strength of this book is in the characters. Each one develops over the course of the book and each is realistic in their faults and foibles. I loved Professor Goodwin and was moved by the development of a sibling-like relationship between Nick and Tim.
A thoughtful coming-of-age story, recommended.
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March 14, 2021Meh, I can't even give it a star rating, really don't know what to mark it as.
I really don't know why I continued to read this book and not DNF. I think I was hoping that what the blurb on the back said " Until, that is, he starts to cox for the college rowing crew and all hell breaks loose..." would suddenly happen
Or that would be more rowing natter in there, but it was just mainly spoken about as a passing moment. And the "hell" didn't break lose either, when something finally did happen I was half way through the book, I think I was just committed to finish it.
I could easily have not read this book and I wouldn't have missed much either.
At least it kept me from doom scrolling twitter for a few hours.
I really don't know why I continued to read this book and not DNF. I think I was hoping that what the blurb on the back said " Until, that is, he starts to cox for the college rowing crew and all hell breaks loose..." would suddenly happen
Or that would be more rowing natter in there, but it was just mainly spoken about as a passing moment. And the "hell" didn't break lose either, when something finally did happen I was half way through the book, I think I was just committed to finish it.
I could easily have not read this book and I wouldn't have missed much either.
At least it kept me from doom scrolling twitter for a few hours.
March 29, 2025
This is the story of 15 year old Nick, who matriculates as a maths student at a Cambridge college. We become immersed in all the trials and tribulations of a new University student, including some of the particular issues facing such a young student.
I enjoyed the way Alexia Casale introduced some of the words used by Cambridge University students, such as referring to those in the city who are not students as "Townies" and themselves as "Gownies", Trinity Hall as "TitHall", and the Porters' Lodge as "Plodge".
It was a bit too focused on emotions for my liking however, and I wasn't really taken by the story, such as there even was one. Perhaps because it was written for young adults, and it would be difficult to describe myself as such.
I enjoyed the way Alexia Casale introduced some of the words used by Cambridge University students, such as referring to those in the city who are not students as "Townies" and themselves as "Gownies", Trinity Hall as "TitHall", and the Porters' Lodge as "Plodge".
It was a bit too focused on emotions for my liking however, and I wasn't really taken by the story, such as there even was one. Perhaps because it was written for young adults, and it would be difficult to describe myself as such.
October 16, 2025
A detailed, delicious visit to the unique and often bizarre world of Cambridge University. This book is a brilliant character study of Nick, a fifteen year old undergraduate, as he struggles to reconcile his family life with university, his past, and learning how to make friends with people much older than you.
Nick is a difficult character in a lot of ways, and his emotional journey hits you all the harder for how slowly his background is revealed. I'm going to be thinking about him and his found family and wishing them well for a long time.
A stunning read from an expert writer, whose prose will have you rereading lines over and over.
Nick is a difficult character in a lot of ways, and his emotional journey hits you all the harder for how slowly his background is revealed. I'm going to be thinking about him and his found family and wishing them well for a long time.
A stunning read from an expert writer, whose prose will have you rereading lines over and over.
September 26, 2025
Relevant + Relatable Themes - University and managing life without parents being close by.
The main characters, Nick and Tim, were likeable and many of their struggles were very relatable to the average uni student.
However, I did feel that the descriptions of Cambridge were a bit too complex and I subsequently struggled to create an image of it in my mind, even with the help of the maps at the front of the book. There’s just too much detail and too many place names.
But, overall, ‘House of Windows’ is a good book with important themes and I read it very quickly as a result.
The main characters, Nick and Tim, were likeable and many of their struggles were very relatable to the average uni student.
However, I did feel that the descriptions of Cambridge were a bit too complex and I subsequently struggled to create an image of it in my mind, even with the help of the maps at the front of the book. There’s just too much detail and too many place names.
But, overall, ‘House of Windows’ is a good book with important themes and I read it very quickly as a result.
June 16, 2017
I felt I had to slog through the beginning of the book to find the plot. Unless you've attended Cambridge or wish to know each exacting detail about the layout and buildings and process of Cambridge then I suggest you skim read until you happen upon dialogue. A critical edit of "too much setting" would pare this book down to a more engaging plot.
Thanks to Sterling Books, Brussels for allowing me to read this uncorrected proof.
Thanks to Sterling Books, Brussels for allowing me to read this uncorrected proof.
October 20, 2025
Would have given another star or two for being a valid children's book, if not for the unaddressed dependency on alcohol to cope with grief?
It had good parts, the author is clearly obsessed with Cambridge, and the characters, although excessively stereotyped, were likable. But maybe downing straight vodka to cope with grief and then sharing it with your 15-year-old friend isn't something to recommend.
It had good parts, the author is clearly obsessed with Cambridge, and the characters, although excessively stereotyped, were likable. But maybe downing straight vodka to cope with grief and then sharing it with your 15-year-old friend isn't something to recommend.
September 22, 2018
Beautifully crafted and heart-warming, this book revolves around the life of a child prodigy, Nick, who is struggling to find some meaningful relationships with the people around and ends up finding friendships in the most unusual ways. This book manages to tug the right strings of your heart with its beautiful storyline.
February 2, 2021
To be honest I didn’t enjoy reading this book, I found the story to be slow and it wasn’t very gripping until well over half way through. I found Nick to be a quite dislikable character - a highly academically gifted, awkward teenager whom is obsessed with Cambridge and who is longing for a sense of acknowledgment from his father, I may go as far to say that this book is a bit cliché. I did however find the ending to be quite poignant, but... it didn’t redeem the books humdrum nature as a whole. I do think that this book is very well written and really there is nothing that much wrong with it, I just don’t think that it is for everyone. I do think that this book is very accessible and might suit a younger YA reader (12-14). I would recommend this to specifically younger readers looking for a bit more of a lighter coming of age read!
I give this book 2 stars.
I give this book 2 stars.
March 31, 2021
Possibly one of the most boring books I’ve ever read. Literally nothing happens. You’re following the life of a 15 year old boy who just winged about his parents the entire book. Other than boring it’s jsut miserable as the only 2 times where something vaguely interesting happens also happen to be extremely depressing
January 27, 2024
It was a well-written book and I loved Tim and Nick's dynamic! The 15th of August was definitely my favourite chapter; Ange was such a sweetheart. It was an interesting concept that was executed very well. I would definitely recommend giving it a read!
Spoilers:
I do wish that the ending with Michael was resolved. I loved the ending with Professor Gosswin's book, it summed up the book perfectly.
Spoilers:
I do wish that the ending with Michael was resolved. I loved the ending with Professor Gosswin's book, it summed up the book perfectly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2020
This is such a beautiful story about finding love in those around you. It's also one of the best books at using imagery, I could vividly picture the giant Cambridge campus in my head. Check out this book for some heartfelt realistic fiction.
May 9, 2021
Books normally take me weeks - not this one - 24 hours! I loved the characters particularly Nick, Tim, Ange and Bill.
It reminded me of The Perks of being a Wallflower.
Well developed characters! Lovely!
It reminded me of The Perks of being a Wallflower.
Well developed characters! Lovely!
April 17, 2025
I real really liked this one. A proper feel good book about a socially inexperienced but confident and smart genius going to Cambridge. It’s super comforting as he makes new friends and gets into mischief and I liked the ending when his kindly uncle looks after him and Tom
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2017
A gripping story if you had a college experience yourself. About finding friendship, or rather, letting friendship in. Emotional story.
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