Book Summary and Reviews of Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

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Sandi W.

Catherine House lives...
3.5 stars Thanks to Custom House for allowing me to read this ARC. Publishes May 12, 2020.

This book was different. It was the ambience, maybe, that keep pushing me on - turning pages. I did not particularly like any of the characters, but didn't dislike them either. Really uncertain as to what it was - because with most books, like this one, I would have quit it about half way through - but something in this book kept me reading. The writing itself seemed to urge me on to an unexpected conclusion.

A strange private school, called Catherine House, in the center of nowhere. Once you enter you are there until you graduate. And for some, much longer. Each class group tends to get close to and comfortable with all the others in their class. Scholastics are their prime motivation - however there are also many strange meetings and dinners that tale place. On top of that, there is the Tower... and the plasm lab!

In this book Catherine House is a character on it's own. You get to know not only the building and it's placement in the story, but also things as intimate as the wall paper in various rooms. I applaud the author Elisabeth Thomas, for being able to do that. Not all authors can take an inanimate object and make it live. Catherine House lives.

Mary O. (Boston, MA)

Unsettling page turner!
I love debut novels and this was mesmerizing. It held my attention from the first page! The backdrop of Catherine House is haunting and disturbing and you feel like you are an actor in it yourself. If you like disturbing gothic mysteries, this book is for you!

Marie J. (Naples, FL)

Interesting.
I found this book very interesting even though I was told I didn't have to read it. It has my attention to the end. I seldom guessed what was going to happen. Subject matter was not something I would have chosen to read about as I'm not always comfortable with it. I found the characters well developed and became involved with their personalities. I would have liked more information on the main character. One objection that I had about the book was the degree of immorality. I don't have a problem if a book has some immorality in it but I thought this was excessive. I didn't see where it added at all to the character of the book or the purpose of the book if there was a purpose. this might make me hesitate to recommend it to some of my fellow readers.it did not prevent me from reading the book and reasonably enjoying it. I do not think that the fact of where it took place and how old the characters were that it would prevent anyone from consider it a good read.

Linda M. (Lititz, PA)

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
I really enjoyed what I would describe as a YA mystery. There was a good plot and background, lots of twists and turns in between the pages. I found the construction of the characters personalities very interesting. The dynamics of roommates at the school and friends was a great plot and mystery itself.

Brad B. (Tucson, AZ)

So Much Here.
How I feel about the book 3 stars; how I thought about the book 4.5 starts. "Catherine House" is somewhere in between (or nowhere near at all) Bardugo's "Ninth House" and Tartt's "Secret History" but more Gothic.
Thomas's genius is apparent in her ability to construct and develop a place, mood, and overall vibe see: spooky and enigmatic. The plot is too slow for the average fan of thrillers and too meandering in the unknown for most but I enjoyed getting lost in the esoteric details.

Jennie R.

Impressive first novel...
I was impressed with the book overall; finishing in two days, as I found the story compelling, almost seductive. A school students attend for three years straight, with an almost guaranteed future, but with no contact from the outside and no visitors and no belongings of their own. You know there has to be a catch. The faded grandeur that was Catherine House, the brokenness of the students, and then, the plasm pins...all contributed the creepiness. I had vivid mental pictures of many of the main characters, Ines, Baby, Yaya, Theo and of course, the enigmatic Viktoria. And while I found none of them at all likable, they were interesting, edgy and smart. I left the book with a number of unanswered questions and while one part of me wanted to know more, I have an appreciation for authors who leave things to the readers’ imaginations.

...20 more reader reviews