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There are currently 22 member reviews
for Catherine House
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Mary S. (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Missed The Mark
This is the first Bookbrowse First Impressions that I just couldn't get into. Maybe it's because of the world situation at the present moment, but I couldn't get past the first 50 pages. the writing was quite good, but the subject held no appeal for me. Sorry Bookbrowse, but this was the first book that totally missed the mark for me.
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Patty S. (Towson, MD)
Left me hanging
Catherine House is a supposedly elite college that only accepts brilliant students who have gone on to change the world in amazing ways. But there is something creepy about this school. Once you're in, there's no leaving the grounds until graduation three years later and you cannot bring anything with you. No pictures of family, no music, not even your own clothes. Everything is provided: fine food and wine (lots of wine). The main character is a student named Ines who we follow through her three years.
The only thing "gothic" about this book to me is the description of setting: old buildings that are falling down, rooms filled with boxes of old stuff stowed away by someone from a different time. Except for the prism lab. There, everything is shiny and new and only the brightest students are allowed to know what it is.
The book's premise interested me and much of the writing was beautiful. It kept me reading. Ultimately, though, it left me with too many questions that were not answered by the end.
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Tonia H. (White Bear Lake, MN)
Do you want to stay???
This was a very different book. Post high school instead of college you might want to try Catherine House. It's elite and hard to get into but produces captains of industry. For 3 years you are committed. You do not leave. Why? Hmmmm.... Strange things are happening at Catherine House but then you don't ever want to leave. Strange indeed.
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Roberta W. (Los Ranchos, NM)
Slow Paced and Unsatisfying
This book was touted as a "seductive, gothic-infused debut of literary suspense." I do not agree. I guess you could call it a slow burn when the real mystery part doesn't unfold until you are 30 pages from the end. Every time I thought there was a bit of suspense building up, it would vanish by the next sentence. I can't begin to count the number of times I was left up in the air thinking about abandoning the book.
The main character arrives at an isolated boarding school and from then on, I wondered if it was because she was a zombie. I couldn't tell if she had feelings or didn't have feelings. I think the book would have been improved greatly had the author created a more likable character.
There is something mysterious going on in the school, but we never find out completely what it is. It has something to do with mind control, I guess. The main character sleepwalks through daily life and that's about all the narrative deals with. Every now and then something potentially dramatic happens, but there is no follow through.
And what is a plasm pin anyway?
I think the author has talent and perhaps her next book will be better.
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Andrea B. (PA)
A Gothic Feast for the Imagination
This is a very dark and hazy tale laden with sex, food, and drink. More specifically, it is a story about a rigorous and innovative college experience that promises personal improvement. Applicants to this school, Catherine House, undergo extensive evaluations and must meet very specific standards. Once in, however, they are connected for life.
I do not read horror novels routinely, for real life pretty much has immunized me to their effect, but I could not resist one set in my home state. Even though it did not exude a lot of Pennsylvanian flavor, it was a very creative debut novel. I especially loved the interplay of arts and sciences. The result sent shivers down my spine, especially when considering advancements in medicinal nanotechnology. Psychological applications, if not already in existence, would be truly amazing/nightmarish.
If I had to add my two cents, then I would suggest not sacrificing storyline for atmosphere, developing ancillary characters for definition, and adding more scrapple. Otherwise, I think that this soul-spinning yarn will appeal to many.
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Sue W, Birmingham, MI
Not my cup of tea after all
In general I am a sucker for a novel with quirky characters, or even better, a thriller with a quickly moving plot that ultimately ties up its loose ends. Unfortunately, Catherine House disappointed me.
Initially it felt more like a young adult novel to me; the plot, setting, and characters seemed to speak to a younger audience. I currently work part time in an independent school's middle/upper school library, so I've read more than my share of ya books. I thought the plot line would really appeal to our students, however, the character development fell short, and the plot dragged.
At the end of the book I felt cheated. The narratives were inconsistent; most did not really add to the flow of the book. I could not identify with any of the characters or even feel sympathetic toward any of them. That was probably what made the book "average" instead of "good" for me.
I suppose if you were captivated by the students tangled up in the plot, you might be able to overlook the weaknesses of the book, but it was not really for me.
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John A. (Austin, TX)
Disappointing
Basically, Catherine House is a refuge for brilliant, but alienated youth where more time appears to be spent drinking wine, having sex and playing games than studying. Plasm studies are the pinnacle of success at Catherine, but would not pass any ethics board in the USA. Overall, the book was depressing unless you are a big fan of Sartre or Camus.
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