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Girl in the Walls
Girl in the Walls is a story of overcoming grief, of unconventional friendships and learning that we shouldn’t always fear what we don’t understand. It is about understanding the difference between a house and a home and what it means to lose both.
She doesn’t exist. She can’t exist.
Elise knows every inch of the house. She knows which boards will creak. She knows where the gaps are in the walls. She knows which parts can take her in, hide her away. It’s home, after all. The home her parents made for her. And home is where you stay, no matter what.
Eddie is a teenager now, almost a grown-up. He must no longer believe in the girl he sometimes sees our of the corner of his eye. He needs her to disappear. But when his fierce older brother senses her, too, they are faced with the question of how to get rid of someone they aren’t sure even exists.
And, if they cast her out, what other threats might they invite into their home?
She doesn’t exist. She can’t exist.
Elise knows every inch of the house. She knows which boards will creak. She knows where the gaps are in the walls. She knows which parts can take her in, hide her away. It’s home, after all. The home her parents made for her. And home is where you stay, no matter what.
Eddie is a teenager now, almost a grown-up. He must no longer believe in the girl he sometimes sees our of the corner of his eye. He needs her to disappear. But when his fierce older brother senses her, too, they are faced with the question of how to get rid of someone they aren’t sure even exists.
And, if they cast her out, what other threats might they invite into their home?
368 pages, ebook
First published March 18, 2021
303 people are currently reading
13152 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Gnuse
1 book80 followersGnuse received an MFA in fiction from UNC Wilmington, and his short stories have appeared in Gulf Coast Online, Los Angeles Review, Passages North, Potomac Review, and other magazines. A native of New Orleans, he lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 980 reviews
June 17, 2022
This is soooo clever, sooooo original, soooo extraordinary! I haven’t read something so remarkable, refreshing, outrageous but also intense, dark, thrilling and emotional at the same time!
I haven’t gotten so much tensed for a long time! I think after gritting so hard, my teeth can fall down at any second! I’m so scared to move from my couch! My husband dearest acts like he didn’t hear my scream for help! ( actually I cannot form any words because not only my blood but also my vocal cords are frozen! I cannot make a sound! )
Okay! This book is about survival and grief but the tension the author meticulously built scare the living daylights out of you! You feel like watching A Quite Place’s longer version alone in the dark over and over again!
The plot line is so clever, bizarre, mind spinning! It also gives you Bong Joon Ho’s Academy Award winner screenplay “Parasite”!
Poor little Elsie becomes orphan after losing her family at a traffic accident, starts living in the wall of the house once they lived as a family.
But now another family of four moved to this place: The Masons: Nick and Laura: the parents, Eddie and Marshal are two sons. The brothers are not in good terms! Their characteristics are quiet unique and they cannot meet in the middle, pushing away each other!
On the other hand, Elsie keeps looking for traces left behind her family, living like a ghost, making noises without getting attention of the house’s inhabitants. Talking to her one eyed friend Odin, squeezing tighter, sensing the upcoming storm!
Thankfully she knows the dodgy floors, scraps help her move without being noticed! But the brothers finally sense her existence and they bond a partnership to do something about it.
The most terrifying thing about this book was not the brothers or threatening tropic storm! It was actually the house truly horrifies us. It is eerie breathing, functioning organism! Even the trees seem like alive, watching each move of the characters, waiting for the right time to attack!
Overall ; it was perfectly written, haunting, gripping, shocking novel with well developed characterization! I’m so sure this is gonna be one of the most fascinating reads of the next year which I highly recommend ! I haven’t read something freaking good for a long time! It’s a big winner for me!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I haven’t gotten so much tensed for a long time! I think after gritting so hard, my teeth can fall down at any second! I’m so scared to move from my couch! My husband dearest acts like he didn’t hear my scream for help! ( actually I cannot form any words because not only my blood but also my vocal cords are frozen! I cannot make a sound! )
Okay! This book is about survival and grief but the tension the author meticulously built scare the living daylights out of you! You feel like watching A Quite Place’s longer version alone in the dark over and over again!
The plot line is so clever, bizarre, mind spinning! It also gives you Bong Joon Ho’s Academy Award winner screenplay “Parasite”!
Poor little Elsie becomes orphan after losing her family at a traffic accident, starts living in the wall of the house once they lived as a family.
But now another family of four moved to this place: The Masons: Nick and Laura: the parents, Eddie and Marshal are two sons. The brothers are not in good terms! Their characteristics are quiet unique and they cannot meet in the middle, pushing away each other!
On the other hand, Elsie keeps looking for traces left behind her family, living like a ghost, making noises without getting attention of the house’s inhabitants. Talking to her one eyed friend Odin, squeezing tighter, sensing the upcoming storm!
Thankfully she knows the dodgy floors, scraps help her move without being noticed! But the brothers finally sense her existence and they bond a partnership to do something about it.
The most terrifying thing about this book was not the brothers or threatening tropic storm! It was actually the house truly horrifies us. It is eerie breathing, functioning organism! Even the trees seem like alive, watching each move of the characters, waiting for the right time to attack!
Overall ; it was perfectly written, haunting, gripping, shocking novel with well developed characterization! I’m so sure this is gonna be one of the most fascinating reads of the next year which I highly recommend ! I haven’t read something freaking good for a long time! It’s a big winner for me!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
May 30, 2021
Home
Girl in the Walls is a unique story of survival and how we acknowledge the concept of ‘home’. Is home where we belong and feel safe – what a compelling story if two strangers have the same view over the same house. There is a glaring mystery behind the nature of the ‘Girl in the Walls’ - is she real or a ghost?
Elise is a young girl who survived a car accident that killed her parents, and she cannot accept foster care so runs away to the only place she considers home – the old house her family lived in until recently. The house is now owned by Nick and Laura Mason with their two sons Eddie and Marshall. Elise knows the hidden spaces between floors, walls, the attic, crawlspaces, and she occupies these areas living on the scraps of food and water she can retrieve when the family are asleep or out. Eddie is the younger brother and at odds with his older brother, he is a shy, solitary boy and has a strong sense of the presence of Elise but feels unable to discuss this with his parents or brother.
Brodie is a young boy from the area and unexpectedly discovers Elise in the house and they eventually establish a friendship after Elise struggled between driving him away and needing his companionship. Even as a young child she understands the importance of secrecy and careful choices that could cause suspicion. After getting past the idea that a child could accomplish this feat, the description of Elise’s life following the loss of her parents, finding little items such as her mother's sock is emotional and cleverly expressed. The anxiousness of her state of mind, her health condition, and her loneliness in dealing with grief is heartfelt and well conveyed. Brodie is not as clever in leaving a negligible footprint in the house and when items belonging to Marshall are taken, it brings him to the belief that someone is in their house.
Marshall searches possibilities online about people living in your house undetected and agrees that someone will come out to investigate his house while his parents are away. What transpires is a shocking attack on the house and search for Elise from a deranged force. I could appreciate peril being focused on Elise as she is hunted and an apprehension the closer the discovery became, but this was very dark and sinister and out of character for the story to that point. It didn’t make sense why the hunter was so obsessed with catching Elise and his chilling actions were totally off the charts.
The personalities and backgrounds of Elise, Eddie and Brodie were wonderful, and it is very easy to connect with them as they each grow and cherish the value of family and friendship, and the dangers that exist in an outside world. A.J. Gnuse has written a coming of age story with horrifying dangers, but unfortunately with a few plot holes and a threatening twist, it took the atmosphere in a very dark direction. I would rate this book 3.5 stars but rounding down because the unbelievability in aspects of the story was difficult to set aside.
I would like to thank 4th Estate and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC copy in return for an honest review.
Girl in the Walls is a unique story of survival and how we acknowledge the concept of ‘home’. Is home where we belong and feel safe – what a compelling story if two strangers have the same view over the same house. There is a glaring mystery behind the nature of the ‘Girl in the Walls’ - is she real or a ghost?
Elise is a young girl who survived a car accident that killed her parents, and she cannot accept foster care so runs away to the only place she considers home – the old house her family lived in until recently. The house is now owned by Nick and Laura Mason with their two sons Eddie and Marshall. Elise knows the hidden spaces between floors, walls, the attic, crawlspaces, and she occupies these areas living on the scraps of food and water she can retrieve when the family are asleep or out. Eddie is the younger brother and at odds with his older brother, he is a shy, solitary boy and has a strong sense of the presence of Elise but feels unable to discuss this with his parents or brother.
Brodie is a young boy from the area and unexpectedly discovers Elise in the house and they eventually establish a friendship after Elise struggled between driving him away and needing his companionship. Even as a young child she understands the importance of secrecy and careful choices that could cause suspicion. After getting past the idea that a child could accomplish this feat, the description of Elise’s life following the loss of her parents, finding little items such as her mother's sock is emotional and cleverly expressed. The anxiousness of her state of mind, her health condition, and her loneliness in dealing with grief is heartfelt and well conveyed. Brodie is not as clever in leaving a negligible footprint in the house and when items belonging to Marshall are taken, it brings him to the belief that someone is in their house.
Marshall searches possibilities online about people living in your house undetected and agrees that someone will come out to investigate his house while his parents are away. What transpires is a shocking attack on the house and search for Elise from a deranged force. I could appreciate peril being focused on Elise as she is hunted and an apprehension the closer the discovery became, but this was very dark and sinister and out of character for the story to that point. It didn’t make sense why the hunter was so obsessed with catching Elise and his chilling actions were totally off the charts.
The personalities and backgrounds of Elise, Eddie and Brodie were wonderful, and it is very easy to connect with them as they each grow and cherish the value of family and friendship, and the dangers that exist in an outside world. A.J. Gnuse has written a coming of age story with horrifying dangers, but unfortunately with a few plot holes and a threatening twist, it took the atmosphere in a very dark direction. I would rate this book 3.5 stars but rounding down because the unbelievability in aspects of the story was difficult to set aside.
I would like to thank 4th Estate and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC copy in return for an honest review.
August 9, 2021
For the sake of this review, I’m going to assume you’re sitting indoors. Now, for the sake of this review, you’re going to assume there’s somebody hanging out inside the wall behind you.
Creepy, huh? Well that’s the premise of Girl in the Walls. There’s literally a little girl living in the walls of a house. Nothing paranormal here! That’s important to note, as your enjoyment of this book may largely depend on your expectations. Looking for a ghost? Turn on “Ghost Hunters” instead.
If you’re looking for a thriller, you may be a bit disappointed too. While there is a fair amount of suspense in the final half of the story, Girl in the Walls is more a literary fiction novel detailing how an orphan could succeed in dwelling in a home for months without its actual occupants sensing her presence. Eventually of course they do, and their attempts to root out their uninvited roomie is where the pages really start turning.
I loved the premise of the book as well as the author’s writing style. I did have to suspend disbelief to really embrace the story, but you better believe I’m going to be paranoid the next time some raisin bran goes missing around here.
My thanks go to the author and Ecco Books for my gifted review copy provided via NetGalley. Girl in the Walls is now available.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
Creepy, huh? Well that’s the premise of Girl in the Walls. There’s literally a little girl living in the walls of a house. Nothing paranormal here! That’s important to note, as your enjoyment of this book may largely depend on your expectations. Looking for a ghost? Turn on “Ghost Hunters” instead.
If you’re looking for a thriller, you may be a bit disappointed too. While there is a fair amount of suspense in the final half of the story, Girl in the Walls is more a literary fiction novel detailing how an orphan could succeed in dwelling in a home for months without its actual occupants sensing her presence. Eventually of course they do, and their attempts to root out their uninvited roomie is where the pages really start turning.
I loved the premise of the book as well as the author’s writing style. I did have to suspend disbelief to really embrace the story, but you better believe I’m going to be paranoid the next time some raisin bran goes missing around here.
My thanks go to the author and Ecco Books for my gifted review copy provided via NetGalley. Girl in the Walls is now available.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
April 30, 2021
A Nest Beneath.
A House.
Under The Floor.
Someone’s Always Missing.
Spying.
She Left A Trail.
Keep Moving.
These are some examples of the intriguing chapter titles in Girl In The Walls, a somewhat coming of age/domestic drama.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS:
Elise is an orphan who watched her parents die, and has come back to what is basically the only home she’s ever known. It’s been remodeled several times over, and has MANY hidden layers...so many that she is literally able to find entranceways into the walls and above/below the rooms.
The Mason Family lives in the house now: Father, mother, older teenaged son, younger teenaged son.
The children have felt a presence, have heard noises that don’t belong to the old house, and are pretty sure they have Elise her from time to time.
They determine to find out if she is real...and get her out of the house.
WHAT I ENJOYED:
-The story is completely original, and the short chapters kept me engaged from start to finish.
-Great character development in a family setting where nobody is especially aligned with one another.
-Beautiful and atmospheric writing.
-A subtle hint of suspense that picks up as the story progresses.
WHAT I WASN’T A FAN OF:
-This seems to be marketed as a mystery/suspense story. In fact, I was supposed to review it for a mystery/suspense-themed magazine, and that didn’t seem appropriate to me. Yes, there is a suspenseful and dark undertone that emerges, but not enough to classify it in that genre.
-The suspenseful tone ends up being pretty brief and not entirely compelling.
-I expected much more out of the lackluster ending, and just overall.
This is a very unique and original novel, and one that I think many will love, so please check out the other reviews. I enjoyed it for the most part, but it won’t stay with me for too long. Despite that, I am definitely looking forward to Gnuse’s next novel.
Thank you to Ecco/HarperCollins for sending me a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. Available: 5/11/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
A House.
Under The Floor.
Someone’s Always Missing.
Spying.
She Left A Trail.
Keep Moving.
These are some examples of the intriguing chapter titles in Girl In The Walls, a somewhat coming of age/domestic drama.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS:
Elise is an orphan who watched her parents die, and has come back to what is basically the only home she’s ever known. It’s been remodeled several times over, and has MANY hidden layers...so many that she is literally able to find entranceways into the walls and above/below the rooms.
The Mason Family lives in the house now: Father, mother, older teenaged son, younger teenaged son.
The children have felt a presence, have heard noises that don’t belong to the old house, and are pretty sure they have Elise her from time to time.
They determine to find out if she is real...and get her out of the house.
WHAT I ENJOYED:
-The story is completely original, and the short chapters kept me engaged from start to finish.
-Great character development in a family setting where nobody is especially aligned with one another.
-Beautiful and atmospheric writing.
-A subtle hint of suspense that picks up as the story progresses.
WHAT I WASN’T A FAN OF:
-This seems to be marketed as a mystery/suspense story. In fact, I was supposed to review it for a mystery/suspense-themed magazine, and that didn’t seem appropriate to me. Yes, there is a suspenseful and dark undertone that emerges, but not enough to classify it in that genre.
-The suspenseful tone ends up being pretty brief and not entirely compelling.
-I expected much more out of the lackluster ending, and just overall.
This is a very unique and original novel, and one that I think many will love, so please check out the other reviews. I enjoyed it for the most part, but it won’t stay with me for too long. Despite that, I am definitely looking forward to Gnuse’s next novel.
Thank you to Ecco/HarperCollins for sending me a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. Available: 5/11/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
September 18, 2020
This is just as it sounds only so much more. Elise loses her parents in a car crash, she stays one night in foster care and then moves in between the walls of an old property that was once her home. There she feels safe, it’s a much needed embrace, a connection to her parents so she doesn’t entirely lose them and she searches the house when it’s empty for signs of them. The Mason family now occupy it - parents Nick and Laura and brothers Eddie and Marshall. The unfolding story is one of the most creative and original books I have read in a long time and I loved it!
This really is a “Literary Thriller” and is a unique way of examining survival and coping with grief. The descriptions are incredibly vivid, the house feels alive as do the objects in it. An intense atmosphere is created through this, in addition to the weather, nature and Norse Mythology which Elise reads to pass the solitary hours. I love how Odin, the One Eye, keeps that eye on her and the delicious humour of him talking to her! That is also poignant and sad too as she’s alone although she is sensed by Eddie and later Marshall and befriended by a delightful boy, Brodie. The brothers are interesting characters as through what occurs, two divided brothers become close and bond. As the story builds so does the tension which is really powerful as Elise becomes hunted. This is horrible to read about as you become invested in her survival and she, the boys and the house face terrible danger. There are some truly jaw dropping moments which threatens the characters with the addition of a huge tropical storm. It’s creepy in places and a bit supernatural as even the trees are watching events in the house, suspended as if with baited breath waiting for something to happen. It does and how.
Overall, this is such a well written book. I love the short sharp chapters which works so well in building the story. It’s very original and is a most compelling atmospheric story of survival. I love the way it ends as it fits perfectly. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and 4th Estate for the much appreciated ARC for an honest review.
This really is a “Literary Thriller” and is a unique way of examining survival and coping with grief. The descriptions are incredibly vivid, the house feels alive as do the objects in it. An intense atmosphere is created through this, in addition to the weather, nature and Norse Mythology which Elise reads to pass the solitary hours. I love how Odin, the One Eye, keeps that eye on her and the delicious humour of him talking to her! That is also poignant and sad too as she’s alone although she is sensed by Eddie and later Marshall and befriended by a delightful boy, Brodie. The brothers are interesting characters as through what occurs, two divided brothers become close and bond. As the story builds so does the tension which is really powerful as Elise becomes hunted. This is horrible to read about as you become invested in her survival and she, the boys and the house face terrible danger. There are some truly jaw dropping moments which threatens the characters with the addition of a huge tropical storm. It’s creepy in places and a bit supernatural as even the trees are watching events in the house, suspended as if with baited breath waiting for something to happen. It does and how.
Overall, this is such a well written book. I love the short sharp chapters which works so well in building the story. It’s very original and is a most compelling atmospheric story of survival. I love the way it ends as it fits perfectly. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and 4th Estate for the much appreciated ARC for an honest review.
May 2, 2021
"Girl in the Walls" by A.J. Gnuse is an unexpected surprise read for me!
Elise is an orphan. Her parents died in a car accident, she survived. Placed in a foster home, she leaves through a window during the night and is never seen again.
Elise is home now. Living in the house her parents made for her, the one she knows best. A home where she feels safe. She knows the hidden places like no one else does. Sleeping beneath the flooring she helped her father lay in the attic, navigating through the walls and hiding in all the secret places. Elise is happy to be home!
But, there's another family living in this house now. The Mason family. Eddie, the youngest, ignores what he thinks he sees out of the corner of his eye. Older brother, Marshall can't and won't ignore what he hears or the possessions he knows are missing. He has to do something. He wants whatever it is, whoever it is, gone. Somewhere. Anywhere. Now.
Marshall can't tell his parents. He's tried. They won't listen. He thinks he's found an answer though. But, is the help he seeks more dangerous than what's hiding in the walls? Is the help more than Marshal or Eddie asks for or expects?
And, how does a child cope with the loss of her parents? Does going back to the home where you felt closest to them, keep you safe? And, if so, for how long and at what risk?
First of all, I have to say the author's writing style in this book is lyrically beautiful. His story is creative and I am envious of his imagination. The 'creep factor' as the thriller genre kicks in has me listening to the sounds in my own home. "Time to put the book down for the night, Terrie"!
The brief chapters, individually titled and aptly described, were one of my favorite aspects of this book. I felt like I was being taunted to continue, lured further along in the story. I had a hard time stopping and putting this book down!
I love the premise, the author's creativity and the beautiful writing. As I write this review, it also occurs to me that perhaps the designed ending was intentional by the author. A deliberate reflection of the calm after a storm, so to speak. I don't know and I won't tell, but I did love that, too.
This felt more character driven than thriller or suspense driven to me. My heart ached for Elise, Eddie and even Marshall. Little Brodie was pretty special, too. It's always the characters that draw me in. This book had them. A diverse group I could love or love to hate! And, that's what I loved the most about this story!
Although I know this book is probably not for everyone, it was a delightful surprise for me. For this reason, this book gets all 5 stars!
Thank you to Goodreads, Ecco/Harper Collins Publishers and A.J. Gnuse for an ARC of this book. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
Elise is an orphan. Her parents died in a car accident, she survived. Placed in a foster home, she leaves through a window during the night and is never seen again.
Elise is home now. Living in the house her parents made for her, the one she knows best. A home where she feels safe. She knows the hidden places like no one else does. Sleeping beneath the flooring she helped her father lay in the attic, navigating through the walls and hiding in all the secret places. Elise is happy to be home!
But, there's another family living in this house now. The Mason family. Eddie, the youngest, ignores what he thinks he sees out of the corner of his eye. Older brother, Marshall can't and won't ignore what he hears or the possessions he knows are missing. He has to do something. He wants whatever it is, whoever it is, gone. Somewhere. Anywhere. Now.
Marshall can't tell his parents. He's tried. They won't listen. He thinks he's found an answer though. But, is the help he seeks more dangerous than what's hiding in the walls? Is the help more than Marshal or Eddie asks for or expects?
And, how does a child cope with the loss of her parents? Does going back to the home where you felt closest to them, keep you safe? And, if so, for how long and at what risk?
First of all, I have to say the author's writing style in this book is lyrically beautiful. His story is creative and I am envious of his imagination. The 'creep factor' as the thriller genre kicks in has me listening to the sounds in my own home. "Time to put the book down for the night, Terrie"!
The brief chapters, individually titled and aptly described, were one of my favorite aspects of this book. I felt like I was being taunted to continue, lured further along in the story. I had a hard time stopping and putting this book down!
I love the premise, the author's creativity and the beautiful writing. As I write this review, it also occurs to me that perhaps the designed ending was intentional by the author. A deliberate reflection of the calm after a storm, so to speak. I don't know and I won't tell, but I did love that, too.
This felt more character driven than thriller or suspense driven to me. My heart ached for Elise, Eddie and even Marshall. Little Brodie was pretty special, too. It's always the characters that draw me in. This book had them. A diverse group I could love or love to hate! And, that's what I loved the most about this story!
Although I know this book is probably not for everyone, it was a delightful surprise for me. For this reason, this book gets all 5 stars!
Thank you to Goodreads, Ecco/Harper Collins Publishers and A.J. Gnuse for an ARC of this book. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
April 19, 2021
What a sweet poignant read...this reached deeply into my emotions even though it is a coming-of-age tender story...definitely a recommended TBR.
This poor little girl, Elise, lives fearfully inside of her former home after her parents were tragically killed in a car accident. After being placed in foster care, she slips away to find safety and security in the only place she was ever happy. The uncanny part is she is inside the walls trying to be as inconspicuous as possible because there is another family living inside of her home.
As she slips in and out of rooms from within the walls, she is able to extract scraps to eat under the radar until two boys begin to see a young girl from their peripheral vision which creeps them out.... and me too.... that she is going to get caught. The boys set out to catch the intruder which is an incredible part of the story and her cleverness to remain hidden.
Even the house comes alive, as well as the mythology she reads and imagines the characters watching over her. This is a sweet, sad emotional read all wrapped up together as she connects with the home and her love for her family igniting and making this a touching momentous exchange. Highly recommend....
Thank you for this ARC, NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
This poor little girl, Elise, lives fearfully inside of her former home after her parents were tragically killed in a car accident. After being placed in foster care, she slips away to find safety and security in the only place she was ever happy. The uncanny part is she is inside the walls trying to be as inconspicuous as possible because there is another family living inside of her home.
As she slips in and out of rooms from within the walls, she is able to extract scraps to eat under the radar until two boys begin to see a young girl from their peripheral vision which creeps them out.... and me too.... that she is going to get caught. The boys set out to catch the intruder which is an incredible part of the story and her cleverness to remain hidden.
Even the house comes alive, as well as the mythology she reads and imagines the characters watching over her. This is a sweet, sad emotional read all wrapped up together as she connects with the home and her love for her family igniting and making this a touching momentous exchange. Highly recommend....
Thank you for this ARC, NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
September 26, 2020
I’m a little shocked at the many 5 star reviews for this book.
What first intrigued me as a plot seems to have fallen very flat. It’s categorised as adult fiction and described as a gothic tale, but it’s quite simply a modern story (it mentions Pop Tarts multiple times) about a young girl trying to hold onto her childhood home by hiding in the walls, and doing a terrible job about it.
One of the biggest sins for me is that I’ve been left with a lot of unanswered questions - we never understand why the villain exists or does the job he does, we don’t find out what happens to her best friend who saves her life, and (spoiler alert) we don’t understand emotionally why she can finally move on either.
An aspect of the plot I enjoyed was that this wall-dweller brings antagonistic brothers closer together with her terrible hiding tactics. Brotherly bonding is wonderfully heartwarming.
If you want a real gothic tale or some addictive tension in a story, I don’t think this one hits the mark.
Favourite quote:
Her life was a film put on pause while the rest of the world churned relentlessly on.
What first intrigued me as a plot seems to have fallen very flat. It’s categorised as adult fiction and described as a gothic tale, but it’s quite simply a modern story (it mentions Pop Tarts multiple times) about a young girl trying to hold onto her childhood home by hiding in the walls, and doing a terrible job about it.
One of the biggest sins for me is that I’ve been left with a lot of unanswered questions - we never understand why the villain exists or does the job he does, we don’t find out what happens to her best friend who saves her life, and (spoiler alert) we don’t understand emotionally why she can finally move on either.
An aspect of the plot I enjoyed was that this wall-dweller brings antagonistic brothers closer together with her terrible hiding tactics. Brotherly bonding is wonderfully heartwarming.
If you want a real gothic tale or some addictive tension in a story, I don’t think this one hits the mark.
Favourite quote:
Her life was a film put on pause while the rest of the world churned relentlessly on.
February 8, 2023
Elise was the sole witness to her parents' tragic death. She is orphaned, homeless and, with no near-by family to come to her aid, is transported to a temporary foster home. She doesn't make it through the night there.
Elise knows exactly where she needs to be. Her childhood home beckons to her and she finds her way inside its inviting walls, flitting from shadowed alcove to dusty floor space and attic hidey hole, whilst its new occupants remain oblivious to her presence.
I was anticipating this to be a chilling, autumnal read but instead found this to be largely a sorrowful tale, rather than a Gothic one. I liked it no less for that, but did find much of the narrative concerned with adding bones to the particulars already vaguely detailed in the synopsis, before more grit and tension was introduced. This, again, made for slower-paced but not an unlikable reading experience.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, A.J. Gnuse, and the publisher, 4th Estate, for this opportunity.
Elise knows exactly where she needs to be. Her childhood home beckons to her and she finds her way inside its inviting walls, flitting from shadowed alcove to dusty floor space and attic hidey hole, whilst its new occupants remain oblivious to her presence.
I was anticipating this to be a chilling, autumnal read but instead found this to be largely a sorrowful tale, rather than a Gothic one. I liked it no less for that, but did find much of the narrative concerned with adding bones to the particulars already vaguely detailed in the synopsis, before more grit and tension was introduced. This, again, made for slower-paced but not an unlikable reading experience.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, A.J. Gnuse, and the publisher, 4th Estate, for this opportunity.
August 25, 2022
Esperaba una novela gótica con fantasmas y casas que crujen y me dan una historia muy aburrida, con un estilo de escritura muy descriptivo, personajes infantiles y sin desarrollar, y muchas preguntas sin responder.
Decepción total.
Decepción total.
April 17, 2021
Well marking this one star will tell you this one wasn’t for me.
The story of Elise, an orphan who lost her parents in a car accident and retreats to the old big house where they once lived and hides in the walls, not being able to deal with her grief and looking for a comfort blanket.
A family of four move in and yes, you guessed it, the two boys start to think they can sense her presence , and of course the parent don’t believe them.
I came very close so many times to giving up on this one. It’s 320 pages and honestly it felt like twice the length.
Not a lot happens for large parts of this book. It’s very “dialogue” light so it is filled with descriptive passages to fill the pages that honestly became incredibly monotonous.
Chapters for the most part are two or three pages, named instead of numbered. It all felt a bit forced and a debut author trying too hard and accomplishing less.
Wafer thin characters who I had no empathy towards, a terrible writing style and structure, I get that the book is to be taken metaphorically and is telling us things that way, but frankly I was that bored I couldn’t care less what it was trying to say.
Surprised to see so many five star reviews. This one for me was a stinker unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ecco for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story of Elise, an orphan who lost her parents in a car accident and retreats to the old big house where they once lived and hides in the walls, not being able to deal with her grief and looking for a comfort blanket.
A family of four move in and yes, you guessed it, the two boys start to think they can sense her presence , and of course the parent don’t believe them.
I came very close so many times to giving up on this one. It’s 320 pages and honestly it felt like twice the length.
Not a lot happens for large parts of this book. It’s very “dialogue” light so it is filled with descriptive passages to fill the pages that honestly became incredibly monotonous.
Chapters for the most part are two or three pages, named instead of numbered. It all felt a bit forced and a debut author trying too hard and accomplishing less.
Wafer thin characters who I had no empathy towards, a terrible writing style and structure, I get that the book is to be taken metaphorically and is telling us things that way, but frankly I was that bored I couldn’t care less what it was trying to say.
Surprised to see so many five star reviews. This one for me was a stinker unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ecco for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2023
reading vlog: https://youtu.be/_xzoYBuKnD8
September 29, 2021
I can empathise with the girl in the walls for 2 reasons,
1. When I ask my husband to help bring out the dishes after dinner. I swear he can’t hear me and like the girl in the walls I am living in a parallel universe in silence with its other inhabitants. Until the dishes are cleared that is 😃
2. When I put my favourite chocolate flake bar in the fridge to cool and find it missing. I’d swear there is more than us living here in this house, but when things go bump in the night, it’s not Elise, its my husband raiding my chocolate stash.
The Girl in the Walls is a ghostly story about a little girl who is orphaned following the death of her parents in a tragic car accident and returns to the only place she can call home; except she is not a ghost.
The Mason's with their teenage sons Eddie and Marshall, move into the house Elise grew up in with her parents. This starts the journey about a young girl learning to live alongside the Mason family undetected but the more she gives away and mistakes she makes the less safe she will be. “Because eventually everything that is hidden will be found”
There is an ever-present sense of the inevitable and likely detection of Elise living in the Mason's house. The story is atmospheric and charged, the sense of loss is palatable, and the development of the characters and story of their meeting is really nice.
I had hoped to start spooky season and a promise to myself to read more horror / ghostly stories until the end of October, but although the cover suggests ghostly it was not. Nevertheless I have to rate according to what the book was, but whatever it was just did not grip me unfortunately.
A nice and different story, but not believable at all to think an orphaned girl can run away from foster care and live in the walls or under floorboards in a house for any period of time unobserved. Of course, I love fiction and sometimes the ridiculous but, in this case, it felt too far-fetched, so I just rushed through it.
1. When I ask my husband to help bring out the dishes after dinner. I swear he can’t hear me and like the girl in the walls I am living in a parallel universe in silence with its other inhabitants. Until the dishes are cleared that is 😃
2. When I put my favourite chocolate flake bar in the fridge to cool and find it missing. I’d swear there is more than us living here in this house, but when things go bump in the night, it’s not Elise, its my husband raiding my chocolate stash.
The Girl in the Walls is a ghostly story about a little girl who is orphaned following the death of her parents in a tragic car accident and returns to the only place she can call home; except she is not a ghost.
The Mason's with their teenage sons Eddie and Marshall, move into the house Elise grew up in with her parents. This starts the journey about a young girl learning to live alongside the Mason family undetected but the more she gives away and mistakes she makes the less safe she will be. “Because eventually everything that is hidden will be found”
There is an ever-present sense of the inevitable and likely detection of Elise living in the Mason's house. The story is atmospheric and charged, the sense of loss is palatable, and the development of the characters and story of their meeting is really nice.
I had hoped to start spooky season and a promise to myself to read more horror / ghostly stories until the end of October, but although the cover suggests ghostly it was not. Nevertheless I have to rate according to what the book was, but whatever it was just did not grip me unfortunately.
A nice and different story, but not believable at all to think an orphaned girl can run away from foster care and live in the walls or under floorboards in a house for any period of time unobserved. Of course, I love fiction and sometimes the ridiculous but, in this case, it felt too far-fetched, so I just rushed through it.
September 11, 2020
The sad but creepy story about a young girl who has lost her parents.
She sneaks back into her old house and stays hidden from the family who live there now by staying in the walls. When the house is empty she can move about and make herself at home, until someone starts to notice her.
Thank you to NetGalley and 4th Estate and William Collins for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
She sneaks back into her old house and stays hidden from the family who live there now by staying in the walls. When the house is empty she can move about and make herself at home, until someone starts to notice her.
Thank you to NetGalley and 4th Estate and William Collins for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2021
4.5
This was an incredible story that is unlike anything I’ve read before. It was also extremely original and that’s always refreshing to encounter - especially with how many books we read! This is coming of age, this raises the hair on your neck, this pulls at your heartstrings and this really, really gets your attention fast. I’m not going to say anymore because once you get to a certain part of the book - you better have a clear schedule. (I’m talking holy sh*tballs I did not see this coming at all and to anyone in my vicinity- do not bother me.)
I will say I did have to stretch my belief a bit at times, I overall didn't mind because the writing was so good, the story was original (as mentioned above) and I thought the characters were very well developed. Given that this is a debut author, I hope that AJ Gnuse will only have better books from here and I am really looking forward to adding his work to my must read lists in the future!
Thanks so much to Ecco Books and AJ Gnuse for the gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: 05/28/2021
Publication Date: 05/11/2021
This was an incredible story that is unlike anything I’ve read before. It was also extremely original and that’s always refreshing to encounter - especially with how many books we read! This is coming of age, this raises the hair on your neck, this pulls at your heartstrings and this really, really gets your attention fast. I’m not going to say anymore because once you get to a certain part of the book - you better have a clear schedule. (I’m talking holy sh*tballs I did not see this coming at all and to anyone in my vicinity- do not bother me.)
I will say I did have to stretch my belief a bit at times, I overall didn't mind because the writing was so good, the story was original (as mentioned above) and I thought the characters were very well developed. Given that this is a debut author, I hope that AJ Gnuse will only have better books from here and I am really looking forward to adding his work to my must read lists in the future!
Thanks so much to Ecco Books and AJ Gnuse for the gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: 05/28/2021
Publication Date: 05/11/2021
May 6, 2021
Girl in The Walls - A.J. Gnuse -(Louisiana)
5 ★
This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. To say that it was “strange” and “disquieting” would be an understatement...but yet the author of this debut novels has done a brilliant job of creating plausible and unforgettable characters. The story follows eleven-year-old orphan Elise, as she hides within the walls of her former family home... watching the house’s new residents, the Masons, as they carry on with their lives. I know that this sounds creepy...Elise is anything but. She’s intelligent... resourceful... perceptive and kind. Your heart will ache for her as you follow her story and watched her try to deal with the loss of her parents. A perfect read if you are fan of gothic fiction or if you are just looking for something a little different.
5 ★
This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. To say that it was “strange” and “disquieting” would be an understatement...but yet the author of this debut novels has done a brilliant job of creating plausible and unforgettable characters. The story follows eleven-year-old orphan Elise, as she hides within the walls of her former family home... watching the house’s new residents, the Masons, as they carry on with their lives. I know that this sounds creepy...Elise is anything but. She’s intelligent... resourceful... perceptive and kind. Your heart will ache for her as you follow her story and watched her try to deal with the loss of her parents. A perfect read if you are fan of gothic fiction or if you are just looking for something a little different.
October 19, 2020
Did I read the same book as everyone else?
December 27, 2020
Girl in the Walls, a fiction book, was a solid 4 star read. One of the most original and unique books I’ve read this entire year; Girl in the Walls centers around main character Elsie-a young girl that tragically loses her parents in a car accident. Elsie returns to her childhood home, now settled in by another family, and decides to “live in the walls” rather than reside elsewhere. Her time living in the house is a somewhat creepy read as she is able to maneuver around largely undetected by the family.
Girl in the Walls is a well-written book about survival. I enjoyed the characters and the originality of the book. Highly recommend to fans of fiction books that want a unique read. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Girl in the Walls is a well-written book about survival. I enjoyed the characters and the originality of the book. Highly recommend to fans of fiction books that want a unique read. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2021
3.5/5
I have been thinking about Girl in the Walls by A.J. Gnuse for quite some time now, and honestly, I still have no idea how I feel about it. This was definitely a book unlike any I have read before, and Elise living in the walls of this house was such a unique concept and plot. Even though the synopsis actually tells you what happened to her parents, I don't know how well that came across in the actual book for me, and I'm not sure I would have realized it if not for the synopsis telling me. This is obviously something I could have missed but all I knew was that she was in the walls of the home she used to live in before another family moved in, the family she now watches and tries to stay out of sight from. It is really creepy if you think about it, but the creepiest part for me was the fact that the brothers bring something far more sinister into the house because they don't know who or what is in their walls. Most of the book is a very slow burn up until this happens, and that's when the action really starts.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Jill Winternitz and I'm glad I did since it is such a slow burn. Winternitz was fantastic and I think they made a great decision in having her voice this novel. We have a handful of different viewpoints throughout plus a unique writing style and I really think she did justice to all of it. I thought about putting Girl in the Walls down many times because I thought it dragged a lot and got a little repetitive, but I am glad I held on because the ending is definitely worth it. At its core, this is a book about survival and grief but also finding friendship and happiness in unlikely places. I would have liked more suspense and more from the ending, but overall, I thought this was a very solid debut and would check out whatever Gnuse writes next.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have been thinking about Girl in the Walls by A.J. Gnuse for quite some time now, and honestly, I still have no idea how I feel about it. This was definitely a book unlike any I have read before, and Elise living in the walls of this house was such a unique concept and plot. Even though the synopsis actually tells you what happened to her parents, I don't know how well that came across in the actual book for me, and I'm not sure I would have realized it if not for the synopsis telling me. This is obviously something I could have missed but all I knew was that she was in the walls of the home she used to live in before another family moved in, the family she now watches and tries to stay out of sight from. It is really creepy if you think about it, but the creepiest part for me was the fact that the brothers bring something far more sinister into the house because they don't know who or what is in their walls. Most of the book is a very slow burn up until this happens, and that's when the action really starts.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Jill Winternitz and I'm glad I did since it is such a slow burn. Winternitz was fantastic and I think they made a great decision in having her voice this novel. We have a handful of different viewpoints throughout plus a unique writing style and I really think she did justice to all of it. I thought about putting Girl in the Walls down many times because I thought it dragged a lot and got a little repetitive, but I am glad I held on because the ending is definitely worth it. At its core, this is a book about survival and grief but also finding friendship and happiness in unlikely places. I would have liked more suspense and more from the ending, but overall, I thought this was a very solid debut and would check out whatever Gnuse writes next.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 14, 2021
The story was just not what in expected, I expected an adult story with a touch of dark gothic vibe on it.. and what I got was… a middle grade story (most of the characters in this book are teenagers around 12-17 years old) and boring story with very descriptive writing style that feels like a filler to make the narration and book longer… plus characters that got no development
This is a story about Elise, an orphan who sneak into her childhood big house and live with the Masons family in the attic, so obviously the family esp the children (Eddie & Marshal ) started to notice things disappeared like food, books ect ect.. at first Eddie thought it was a ghost but then they started to feel someone else live inside their house and they want to investigate it
So if you are looking for an adult gothic book, this book is NOT one of them
The book is super pretty tho (I bought the Waterstones editon) so maybe I can keep it a while before unhaul it
This is a story about Elise, an orphan who sneak into her childhood big house and live with the Masons family in the attic, so obviously the family esp the children (Eddie & Marshal ) started to notice things disappeared like food, books ect ect.. at first Eddie thought it was a ghost but then they started to feel someone else live inside their house and they want to investigate it
So if you are looking for an adult gothic book, this book is NOT one of them
The book is super pretty tho (I bought the Waterstones editon) so maybe I can keep it a while before unhaul it
December 2, 2020
I'm blown away! This off the beaten track literary thriller is definitely one of a kind.
Imagine someone residing in your house, you can't see them, but you feel something eerie going on.
Well, that's the Girl in the Walls. The reader gets to know the main character, how she got here and why. Meanwhile there's a family living their life in this Louisiana mansion.
Although large in seize, going around its confined spaces most of the time gives a feeling of entrapment and eminent danger.
It took me a while to get into the story, but once it had me it wouldn't let go and I read all through the night to finish it.
The ending is heartfelt and brings this highly believable read to a very satisfying conclusion.
Thank you Netgalley and Fourth Estate for the ARC.
Imagine someone residing in your house, you can't see them, but you feel something eerie going on.
Well, that's the Girl in the Walls. The reader gets to know the main character, how she got here and why. Meanwhile there's a family living their life in this Louisiana mansion.
Although large in seize, going around its confined spaces most of the time gives a feeling of entrapment and eminent danger.
It took me a while to get into the story, but once it had me it wouldn't let go and I read all through the night to finish it.
The ending is heartfelt and brings this highly believable read to a very satisfying conclusion.
Thank you Netgalley and Fourth Estate for the ARC.
June 7, 2022
So good, a very special and touching story.
April 27, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
3.5 stars
‘The girl knew enough about the house – not only the rooms but the insides of the floors and walls between them – to know a small hole in the house’s foundation that could allow enough space for an animal to crawl in.’
A striking conversation with a friend about the strange creaks and noises we hear in our homes or apartments inspired A.J. Gnuse to pen his debut novel, Girl in the Walls. Gnuse’s creation encourages the reader to suspend disbelief and consider the possibility of a person secretly living in the spaces of a residence. Wild, spine tingling, imaginative, speculative and dark, Girl in the Walls is a new gothic feel novel from New Orleans native, A.J. Gnuse.
Girl in the Walls follows the tragic story of an eleven-year-old girl named Elise, an orphan, who literally becomes a part of her old family home. Elise hides the walls, cracks and spaces of the only place that makes her feel safe, following the loss of her parents in a car crash. But now there is a new family in Elise’s beloved home, will she continue to hide away from the world? A young boy on the cusp of becoming a teenager struggles to come to terms with the visions he has of a young girl sharing the same living space as him. As Eddie tries to lock away these unsettling experiences, his older brother is also haunted by the same visions of the girl who lives in their walls. Will the brothers band together to remove this intruder?
What an interesting concept to kick start a novel. The central idea of this novel – that a person could exist in the spaces of a residence, seemingly undetected from the current residents was quite extraordinary. This is a fascinating hook that did work to reel me into this book from the onset. I am also a very big fan of gothic fiction, so a story categorised as a southern gothic fiction release was bound to get my undivided attention. I was very excited about Girl in the Walls and what it was going to deliver narrative wise.
Elise is the poor tragic soul who we follow closely for the duration of A.J. Gnuse’s first novel. A strong, resolute and determined girl, I admired Elise’s resilience. Girl in the Walls is a coming-of-age type novel, fused with a gothic thriller, with supernatural undertones. Themes of grief, loss, childhood, home, belonging, identity, fear and change seep through Girl in the Walls. It is suggested that this is a creepy, ghostly and frightening novel. I didn’t find it that chilling. However, it did unnerve me to think that a person could remain concealed on your property without your knowledge. Although the figure in question in this particular story is just young girl, the thought that an adult could be roaming around your abode covertly does get under your skin! Gnuse does a good job setting a clear sense of tension and a murky atmosphere throughout his novel.
Characterisation is a strong point in this novel and Elise is incredibly well drawn. The support cast provide a good blend of good versus bad. It was enlightening to oversee the interactions, direct and indirect with the entire cast. The house forms the nucleus of the story and it is a structure that takes on a life of its own. The residence becomes a living entity that both sets the scene and absorbs the characters in the story. Gnuse maintains a tight leash on his novel and although it began quite slowly, the pace picks up to a fast close. Each new chapter sees an layer of the story discarded for the reader to absorb. Thanks to the style of writing of this author, I did feel like quite the onlooker as the shocking events of this tale are revealed. Girl in the Walls features a short chapter layout, with some at just one page. I know I did struggle with the very succinct chapter formatting, it did feel a little disjointed for me. When I discovered that the author is a flash fiction novelist, it seemed to make sense as to why Girl in the Walls is presented in such a curt and condensed structure. The end rolls past with emotion, as the characters come to a shared understanding about their lives and what they have witnessed.
A taut and strained read, perfect for those who want a very individual story that surpasses the ordinary, Girl in the Walls is a unique tale.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
3.5 stars
‘The girl knew enough about the house – not only the rooms but the insides of the floors and walls between them – to know a small hole in the house’s foundation that could allow enough space for an animal to crawl in.’
A striking conversation with a friend about the strange creaks and noises we hear in our homes or apartments inspired A.J. Gnuse to pen his debut novel, Girl in the Walls. Gnuse’s creation encourages the reader to suspend disbelief and consider the possibility of a person secretly living in the spaces of a residence. Wild, spine tingling, imaginative, speculative and dark, Girl in the Walls is a new gothic feel novel from New Orleans native, A.J. Gnuse.
Girl in the Walls follows the tragic story of an eleven-year-old girl named Elise, an orphan, who literally becomes a part of her old family home. Elise hides the walls, cracks and spaces of the only place that makes her feel safe, following the loss of her parents in a car crash. But now there is a new family in Elise’s beloved home, will she continue to hide away from the world? A young boy on the cusp of becoming a teenager struggles to come to terms with the visions he has of a young girl sharing the same living space as him. As Eddie tries to lock away these unsettling experiences, his older brother is also haunted by the same visions of the girl who lives in their walls. Will the brothers band together to remove this intruder?
What an interesting concept to kick start a novel. The central idea of this novel – that a person could exist in the spaces of a residence, seemingly undetected from the current residents was quite extraordinary. This is a fascinating hook that did work to reel me into this book from the onset. I am also a very big fan of gothic fiction, so a story categorised as a southern gothic fiction release was bound to get my undivided attention. I was very excited about Girl in the Walls and what it was going to deliver narrative wise.
Elise is the poor tragic soul who we follow closely for the duration of A.J. Gnuse’s first novel. A strong, resolute and determined girl, I admired Elise’s resilience. Girl in the Walls is a coming-of-age type novel, fused with a gothic thriller, with supernatural undertones. Themes of grief, loss, childhood, home, belonging, identity, fear and change seep through Girl in the Walls. It is suggested that this is a creepy, ghostly and frightening novel. I didn’t find it that chilling. However, it did unnerve me to think that a person could remain concealed on your property without your knowledge. Although the figure in question in this particular story is just young girl, the thought that an adult could be roaming around your abode covertly does get under your skin! Gnuse does a good job setting a clear sense of tension and a murky atmosphere throughout his novel.
Characterisation is a strong point in this novel and Elise is incredibly well drawn. The support cast provide a good blend of good versus bad. It was enlightening to oversee the interactions, direct and indirect with the entire cast. The house forms the nucleus of the story and it is a structure that takes on a life of its own. The residence becomes a living entity that both sets the scene and absorbs the characters in the story. Gnuse maintains a tight leash on his novel and although it began quite slowly, the pace picks up to a fast close. Each new chapter sees an layer of the story discarded for the reader to absorb. Thanks to the style of writing of this author, I did feel like quite the onlooker as the shocking events of this tale are revealed. Girl in the Walls features a short chapter layout, with some at just one page. I know I did struggle with the very succinct chapter formatting, it did feel a little disjointed for me. When I discovered that the author is a flash fiction novelist, it seemed to make sense as to why Girl in the Walls is presented in such a curt and condensed structure. The end rolls past with emotion, as the characters come to a shared understanding about their lives and what they have witnessed.
A taut and strained read, perfect for those who want a very individual story that surpasses the ordinary, Girl in the Walls is a unique tale.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
May 3, 2021
This book is so unique. I want to tell you all about it - but it gives much away. The details of the girl in the walls are slowly shared- cherished tokens.
I will tell you this young girl's parents died in a car accident. She pulled herself out just before the car exploded. Placed in foster care while out of state relatives are contacted, the girl escapes out the window and walks to her family's precious house. After many happy years, her parents sold the house - the girl in the walls never felt the new house was home. There just wasn't enough time.
The girl in the walls shuffles around, builds a routine and just exists in the shadows. Though it may be difficult for others to grasp, I totally get this. Grief can just shut you down. At the age of 10 or 11, I can't imagine how much more devastating, how debilitating the loss.
Creepy. Tragic. Interesting read.
I will tell you this young girl's parents died in a car accident. She pulled herself out just before the car exploded. Placed in foster care while out of state relatives are contacted, the girl escapes out the window and walks to her family's precious house. After many happy years, her parents sold the house - the girl in the walls never felt the new house was home. There just wasn't enough time.
The girl in the walls shuffles around, builds a routine and just exists in the shadows. Though it may be difficult for others to grasp, I totally get this. Grief can just shut you down. At the age of 10 or 11, I can't imagine how much more devastating, how debilitating the loss.
Creepy. Tragic. Interesting read.
December 27, 2020
Girl in the Walls, a fiction book, was a solid 4 star read. One of the most original and unique books I’ve read this entire year; Girl in the Walls centers around main character Elsie-a young girl that tragically loses her parents in a car accident. Elsie returns to her childhood home, now settled in by another family, and decides to “live in the walls” rather than reside elsewhere. Her time living in the house is a somewhat creepy read as she is able to maneuver around largely undetected by the family.
Girl in the Walls is a well-written book about survival. I enjoyed the characters and the originality of the book. Highly recommend to fans of fiction books that want a unique read. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Girl in the Walls is a well-written book about survival. I enjoyed the characters and the originality of the book. Highly recommend to fans of fiction books that want a unique read. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2021
This book was a mission to finish. I almost dnf-ed it multiple times. Minus the acknowledgments and such, this book is only 356 pages long with sizeable font, but it felt so much longer than that.
The book is VERY...overwritten? It was all over the place, and I feel like I spent most of the time trying to restructure the unnecessarily long sentences in my mind to make sense of what was happening. I'm exhausted.
The first three parts of this book were a real struggle to get through. They're slow and show no real character or story progression. Things finally pick up in part 4 and 5 only to lead you to an unresolved ending.
I do appreciate the unique concept, I just think it was a bit of a wasted opportunity. Sorry, it's 2 stars from me.
The book is VERY...overwritten? It was all over the place, and I feel like I spent most of the time trying to restructure the unnecessarily long sentences in my mind to make sense of what was happening. I'm exhausted.
The first three parts of this book were a real struggle to get through. They're slow and show no real character or story progression. Things finally pick up in part 4 and 5 only to lead you to an unresolved ending.
I do appreciate the unique concept, I just think it was a bit of a wasted opportunity. Sorry, it's 2 stars from me.
July 5, 2021
Are we supposed to like this girl?? She literally drove these two kids insane and ruined their lives and then what??
September 16, 2021
Very unusual plot and well-written. 3.5 ⭐
March 20, 2021
I am not a reader of gothic novels, horror, paranormal or fantasy but Pigeonhole is a reading platform which tempts the lover of books into sampling genres usually given a wide berth.
Girl in the Walls is one such literary experience for me. Set in a rural, remote, scorching hot, termite and mosquito riddled area of America, this is a book whose title means what it says. Elise is a girl and she does live in walls.
It is a strange, surreal, haunting novel that made me question reality, made me ponder how loss manifests itself and had me uneasily shocked at the lengths one small girl would go to, to remain in a place she feels so emotionally connected to.
Eddie and Marshall are brothers who do not get on. Eddie senses a presence in their home but does not tell anyone. At first he seems to be the only one struggling with the world around him. He seems socially isolated and awkward and at the mercy of the bullying Marshall. But appearances, and the sense of an unexplained 'presence' can be deceptive. For Marshall begins to feel watched and takes it upon himself to get help. The naivete of his actions have devastating consequences and it is this which creates a compelling tension, a thrilling fight to remain hidden and ultimately the potential to do something different.
The hurricane swept scenes, of flood and destruction are exceptionally well written and the author uses Norse mythology in the depiction of Odin, to bring about a resolution. Can life continue between the walls, in all the spaces which exist but are not seen, or will there come a time when the walls themselves cease to exist and life must be lived in the open?
An unusual and terrifying fight for survival, enter a fantastical world where the unthought of becomes a reality.
Girl in the Walls is one such literary experience for me. Set in a rural, remote, scorching hot, termite and mosquito riddled area of America, this is a book whose title means what it says. Elise is a girl and she does live in walls.
It is a strange, surreal, haunting novel that made me question reality, made me ponder how loss manifests itself and had me uneasily shocked at the lengths one small girl would go to, to remain in a place she feels so emotionally connected to.
Eddie and Marshall are brothers who do not get on. Eddie senses a presence in their home but does not tell anyone. At first he seems to be the only one struggling with the world around him. He seems socially isolated and awkward and at the mercy of the bullying Marshall. But appearances, and the sense of an unexplained 'presence' can be deceptive. For Marshall begins to feel watched and takes it upon himself to get help. The naivete of his actions have devastating consequences and it is this which creates a compelling tension, a thrilling fight to remain hidden and ultimately the potential to do something different.
The hurricane swept scenes, of flood and destruction are exceptionally well written and the author uses Norse mythology in the depiction of Odin, to bring about a resolution. Can life continue between the walls, in all the spaces which exist but are not seen, or will there come a time when the walls themselves cease to exist and life must be lived in the open?
An unusual and terrifying fight for survival, enter a fantastical world where the unthought of becomes a reality.
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