Whipple's Castle

by Thomas Williams

The Whipple's are drawn together in their desperate attempts to hold on to their fragmented lives in their great Victorian mansion

Genres: Fiction, Drama, Literature

535 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Tmac32]

I came across this book based on a clip from the Late Night with Stephen Colbert...Stephen King was asked a few general questions about some of his favorite books and this was one of them. I was lucky enough to borrow it from another library within the system that mine belongs to. It's not a fast read, but it does draw you in. You want to learn about the characters. It covers a number of decades and lays out the comings and goings of the Whipple family. I liked it because the characters all had their own flaws to deal with, because of that it seemed more truthful in the telling. The last 50-75 pages are compelling. If you can find a copy I would recommend reading only in the fact that you won't find something comparable in today's offerings.

[Lee Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good recommendation

Saw an interview with Stephen King and he talked about this book. From that recommendation, I read it. What an incredible emotional journey this book takes you on with the Whipple family and their home and life in New Hampshire. I saw where many people criticize the pace as slow - but the pace in most cases is set by the writer for a purpose. I had no problem with it. You want a faster pace, read something else. To say this novel needs editing is incredibly pretentious. I enjoyed the pace and every word choice. Reading is a subjective experience.

[Alora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book could use some content editing, I found myself attached to the characters and environment that Williams created. Dark, moody, and enraging at times, I wanted to read the book again as soon as I finished it. Williams dives into the minds of the characters and leaves you needing more -- but not in always in a satisfying way. At this point, I yearn to discuss this book with another reader because I simply don't feel finished with it.

[April Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much overlooked, no one has ever heard of this, good luck finding a copy even. Lucky enough to have my father's copy from the 60's.

[Paul Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Hair of Harold Roux was my favorite book of 2016. I also enjoyed one of Williams' daughter's books, Cascomb Mountain, so I thought I was onto something. However, Whipple's Castle is a very slow, verbose, slow to develop novel. It's like the first draft of what could be a good book if an editor knocked about half of the writing out. It reads like an old fashioned novel, as described by others, but much more interminable than that. I couldn't take it.

[Kristen Ohara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband bought me this for Christmas, because he’d heard Stephen King mention it in an interview. If SK can read it over and over again, I don’t think I’ll question its worth. That said…I found it thoughtful, heart-breaking and honest. I think I’ve found a new author to follow in Thomas Williams! Thanks, SK!!

[Evelyn Bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-written book about a family in New Hampshire. The book begins in 1942 and starts off as a slice of life of America during the WWII years. However, as the book proceeds, the book grows darker and the last 100 pages or so are grim.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like many, I read this book because Stephen King said it was one of his favorite books. I think that's the only reason I finished it - because I felt like I had to ... for Stephen. Lol. For me, this was an absolute slog, which is why it took me 2 months to get to the end.

[George Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as good as The Hair of Harold Roux, but a good read. Thomas Williams who was one of my professors at UNH is highly underrated.

[Thom Dunn]

Supposed to be his best and a was proclaimed "a novelist of enduring achievement" by Richard Rhodes upon its publication.