Helpful Score: 1
I found the concept of this book intriguing enough that I ordered it through Interlibrary Loan as soon as it was published. The story takes place in a secretive three-year college program where meticulously recruited students need to leave everything from their pasts behind. But the writing is tedious and flat, and I couldn't make it past page 100 or so. Disappointing.
Helpful Score: 1
I wanted to like the book, really I did. However, the unbelievable characters, plodding pace and boring mystery kept me from liking it. Usually, I would have stopped by about 40/50 pages in, instead I kept reading to see why this book's recommended on Bookbub. I think this book would have been better suited for a young adult audience. It's true these students were drinking, cussing and swearing thoughout. However, these characters definitely did not act like adults and I can't see how one would care about them.
I thought the debut author used unnecessary vocabulary that seemed to highlight "I went to Yale, so I should be showing how educated I am." Glad the book wasn't too long, so I didn't have to skip through too much.
I thought the debut author used unnecessary vocabulary that seemed to highlight "I went to Yale, so I should be showing how educated I am." Glad the book wasn't too long, so I didn't have to skip through too much.
Ines is a high school student who has never fit in. She leans toward being antisocial and doesn't do all that well in school. Yet she is accepted into the esteemed Catherine House. This institution is known for producing graduates who reach high levels of power in the world. Successes. Yet these former students never talk about their experiences at the school. The mystery is as much an attraction as the academic legacy.
Ines is thrown a bit by the rules. Students are required to commit to three years away from the "real world". No phones, no visits outside, rare chances for even a phone call home. The students are isolated, actually fenced in. The buildings and grounds are, however, beautiful, and the students accept the limitations for the greater rewards they expect later.
Ines actually makes a few friends, which is rare for her. She is not consistent in her studying, however, and is sent to "the tower" to recharge. The Tower is not punishment, they say, but students sent there are locked in for several days or even longer, until they feel ready to get back in the game.
Ines is not stupid but she knows she is not a top academic, so it confuses her when her mediocre work is praised. She also realizes that all of the students are in some way misfits. And that some of them choose to stay on, to work in the famed research lab or to teach.
As in most schools, Catherine House has its share of tragedies. Ines's roommate, "Baby", is one of them.
Over time Ines becomes increasingly curious about what is really going on. When she starts to have an idea, she is holed up in the tower again.
The story ultimately leans toward fantasy, sci-fi. I don't as a rule care for these genres, and this one left me shaking my head. I honestly don't know what to make of it.
Ines is thrown a bit by the rules. Students are required to commit to three years away from the "real world". No phones, no visits outside, rare chances for even a phone call home. The students are isolated, actually fenced in. The buildings and grounds are, however, beautiful, and the students accept the limitations for the greater rewards they expect later.
Ines actually makes a few friends, which is rare for her. She is not consistent in her studying, however, and is sent to "the tower" to recharge. The Tower is not punishment, they say, but students sent there are locked in for several days or even longer, until they feel ready to get back in the game.
Ines is not stupid but she knows she is not a top academic, so it confuses her when her mediocre work is praised. She also realizes that all of the students are in some way misfits. And that some of them choose to stay on, to work in the famed research lab or to teach.
As in most schools, Catherine House has its share of tragedies. Ines's roommate, "Baby", is one of them.
Over time Ines becomes increasingly curious about what is really going on. When she starts to have an idea, she is holed up in the tower again.
The story ultimately leans toward fantasy, sci-fi. I don't as a rule care for these genres, and this one left me shaking my head. I honestly don't know what to make of it.
I had no expectations going into this book, and I was so happily surprised. As other reviewers have noticed, it's a slow burner, and for most of the book the horror is so subtle that the reader is not sure if anything awry is happening or if it's just how the main character is struggling with the culture of the school.
There were some odd details in the book that had me (wrongly) convinced that the author isn't American. The tea trays! Actually, all the food was so odd. And the fact that the school provides wine like running water had me suspecting that the wine was part of the plot -- but no, I guess the school just rolls out 50 barrels every night. Why would students make moonshine when the school provides free wine every night? Ha ha ha. But the school is so idiosyncratic that the weird food just fit right in and even added to the mood.
My favorite part of the book was the ambiguity. The mystery isn't just what is *really* happening at the school, it's also whether Ines is going to get her act together, whether her imposter syndrome is real or just her personality, and whether the school's methods are going to work on her. Right up to the end (staying up late, racing through the final chapters), I did not know how this story was going to end. What a delight of a book this turned out to be. Highly recommended.
There were some odd details in the book that had me (wrongly) convinced that the author isn't American. The tea trays! Actually, all the food was so odd. And the fact that the school provides wine like running water had me suspecting that the wine was part of the plot -- but no, I guess the school just rolls out 50 barrels every night. Why would students make moonshine when the school provides free wine every night? Ha ha ha. But the school is so idiosyncratic that the weird food just fit right in and even added to the mood.
My favorite part of the book was the ambiguity. The mystery isn't just what is *really* happening at the school, it's also whether Ines is going to get her act together, whether her imposter syndrome is real or just her personality, and whether the school's methods are going to work on her. Right up to the end (staying up late, racing through the final chapters), I did not know how this story was going to end. What a delight of a book this turned out to be. Highly recommended.
Book 282 for the year. 2/5 stars for this Gothic read. I love the cover, and it's set in a school, so I thought it would be up my alley. I was very wrong. In my opinion it's way too long. There were aspects that were creepy or interesting, but they never felt flushed out. It was a whole lot of words for nothing much happening plot wise. Can't say I'd recommend this one, even if you like weird books.
Thanks to LibraryThing and Harper Collins Publishers for a free book for an honest review. The book was part mystery & gothic realism. Itâs a bit slow but you have to stick with it in order to understand what is going on. I expected more mystery & horror as stated in book blurb so was disappointed in that respect. The book does have merit with the atmospheric house acting as a character having dark & disturbing secrets. Recommended
Catherine House is not what I expected. I struggled to finish this book. I continued to read, though, determined to find out the secret and to see how Ines story plays out. Catherine House is a strange book. A school for people with superior intellects and those who think in different ways (linear is not good enough). The book has an unlikeable main character. Ines' behavior and attitude were deplorable. There is rampant alcohol drinking, nudity and casual sex (Ines had more partners than a street walker). Foul language is prolific as well (for brainiacs their vocabulary was lacking). There is strange food that I wondered if the school drugged from the way the students behaved. Some of it is odd and difficult to understand. An example is "You are in the house and the house is in the woods. The woods are in the house. The stairs are in the house. Down the stairs is the hallway, and at the end of the hallway is the ballroom. The ballroom is in the house. You are in the house and the house is in you." Another example from Catherine House, "Your hands are on the table. The table is in the hall, across the yard, in the house. The house is in the woods. In the woods, across the yard, in your hands, is the cup. The cup is in your hands. Your hands are in the house." I did like the dark, Gothic atmosphere the author created. The author is a descriptive writer that allows the reader to visualize the scenes. However, I thought Catherine House moved along at a plodding pace. Nothing really happened. I expected suspense and action which never materialized. I found Catherine House a challenge to finish. Catherine House left me confused, disappointed and anxious for a good book.
