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This House Is Haunted by John Boyne - 4* - My Review

Set in England in the autumn of 1867, Eliza Caine is forced to leave her home after the death of her father. She applies for a job as a governess, is hired, and moves from London to a Norfolk mansion to care for two children. Puzzled by the absence of the children’s parents, she soon realizes all is not well. Strange events occur daily, and an otherworldly presence tries to harm her. After talking with the solicitor in charge, Mr. Raisin, she finds out she is one of long line of recent governesses, most of whom have met untimely deaths. She sets out to uncover the many mysteries associated with the house and its occupants.

This book is intentionally filled with everything one expects in a gothic tale – a dilapidated Victorian mansion haunted by a horrific tragedy, standoffish villagers, mysterious deaths, peculiar children, ghostly presences, servants harboring secrets, hidden passageways, and atmospheric descriptions. It is John Boyne’s homage to the gothic classics. It reads like an extended ghost story. I loved all the embedded references to classic gothic literature. For example, there are characters whose last names are Mr. Cratchett and Miss Bennet. Charles Dickens makes an appearance. I caught other allusions to Rebecca, Jane Eyre, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and even A Series of Unfortunate Events. It is the type of ghost story I enjoy – not too scary, but creepy enough to fit the Halloween season.

I loved this one!

Glad you enjoyed it too! I loved looking for all those literary references. I found quite a few but I'm sure I missed some.

Joy D wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it too! I loved looking for all those literary references. I found quite a few but I'm sure I missed some."

Since I don't read as many classics nor literary fiction, I can guarantee I missed a bunch! It's been a while since I read it, so I certainly don't recall details, but I feel like it did feel creepy to me. Going on memory, but I do remember I rated it very highly (4.5 or 5, can't recall exactly), and I'm certain it made my favourites the year I read it.