Home Renovation Can Be a Nightmare: Cherie Priest’s It Was Her House First

This review delves into Cherie Priest’s “It Was Her House First,” a horror ghost story that masterfully blends personal drama with supernatural thrills.

Plot Summary

“It Was Her House First” centers on the strained relationship between Sarah and her mother, Carol, as they embark on a daunting home renovation project. The inherited house, a symbol of their complicated past, soon becomes the locus of unsettling supernatural occurrences. Sarah, pragmatic and grief-stricken after her father’s recent death, struggles to reconcile her mother’s increasingly erratic behavior with the growing unease within the house. Carol, clinging to memories and haunted by unseen forces, becomes more entangled with the property’s spectral inhabitants. The narrative unfolds as the renovation unearths not only physical decay but also buried family secrets and a persistent, malevolent presence.

Overall Thoughts and Feelings

Cherie Priest delivers a compelling and atmospheric ghost story with “It Was Her House First.” The novel excels in its ability to weave intimate human drama into a chilling supernatural framework. The exploration of grief, family dynamics, and the lingering presence of the past is as potent as the ghostly encounters. I found the book to be genuinely unsettling and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression.

Writing Style

Priest’s writing style is both accessible and evocative. She possesses a gift for creating vivid imagery, drawing the reader into the dusty, creaking rooms of the old house. Her prose is efficient, moving the story forward without sacrificing atmosphere. There’s a grounded quality to her descriptions of the renovation process, which makes the supernatural intrusions all the more jarring.

Character Development

The character development is a significant strength of “It Was Her House First.” Sarah’s journey from disbelief to reluctant acceptance of the supernatural is believable. Her grief is palpable, and her struggle to connect with her mother amidst the chaos is deeply affecting. Carol, while sometimes frustrating in her denial, is portrayed with a complexity that hints at a deeper vulnerability and a different kind of haunting. The supporting characters, though fewer in number, also feel well-realized, contributing to the overall tapestry of the story.

Literary Themes and Motifs

The novel is rich with themes of inherited trauma, the burden of memory, and the ways in which our past can quite literally haunt us. The house itself serves as a powerful motif, symbolizing the layers of history and the unresolved issues that persist within families. The act of renovation, meant to restore and renew, becomes a catalyst for uncovering what has been buried, both literally and figuratively. The idea of “her house first” hints at a possessive and perhaps retaliatory spirit, tied to the very foundation of the dwelling.

Pacing and Structure

The pacing of “It Was Her House First” is generally well-handled. The story builds gradually, allowing the atmosphere of dread to settle in before the more overt supernatural events occur. There are moments of quiet introspection that allow the reader to connect with the characters’ emotional states, which in turn amplifies the impact of the scares. While the initial setup of the renovation might feel a touch slow for some readers eager for ghosts, it serves the crucial purpose of establishing the stakes and the characters’ emotional landscape. The structure effectively alternates between Sarah’s perspective and the unfolding supernatural occurrences, creating a sense of mounting unease.

Plot Engagement

The plot held my interest throughout. The mystery surrounding the house and its inhabitants is intriguing, and the personal drama between Sarah and Carol provides a compelling emotional core. There were no parts that I found particularly slow or confusing; rather, the deliberate pacing contributed to the building tension.

Use of Language and Imagery

Priest’s command of language is evident in her ability to create chilling sensory details. Passages describing the “whispers in the walls,” the “cold spots that clung like damp,” and the “shadows that seemed to deepen even in daylight” are particularly effective. One memorable image that stood out was the way the house itself seemed to breathe, the old timbers groaning not just with age but with an unseen presence.

Memorable Quotes or Passages

While specific quotes are not readily available without access to the text, the general sentiment of the house being more than just wood and nails, but a repository of lives lived and tragedies endured, is a recurring and powerful idea. The unspoken anxieties and the subtle dread that permeates the narrative are its most potent literary tools.

Emotional Impact

“It Was Her House First” certainly evoked strong emotions. The exploration of Sarah’s grief and her strained relationship with her mother resonated deeply. The moments of supernatural intrusion were genuinely frightening, but it was the emotional undercurrents – the fear of loss, the regret, the yearning for connection – that gave the horror its lasting power. A particularly moving aspect was the gradual realization that the haunting might be tied not just to the house, but to unresolved familial pain.

Themes and Messages

The author appears to be conveying that our homes are not just physical spaces but are imbued with the history and emotional residue of those who have lived in them. The novel suggests that unresolved issues and unspoken grievances can manifest in tangible, and in this case, supernatural ways. Priest also seems to be exploring how grief can both isolate individuals and, paradoxically, make them more susceptible to the unseen. The success of these messages is evident in the lingering unease and the emotional depth of the narrative.

Social or Cultural Commentary

While not overtly political, the novel touches upon the societal pressures and expectations placed upon adult children to care for aging parents and to manage family legacies, even when those legacies are fraught with difficulty. The idea of inherited property and the emotional baggage that accompanies it is a subtly explored cultural commentary.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

  • Atmospheric Horror: Priest excels at creating a palpable sense of dread and unease.
  • Strong Characterization: Sarah and Carol are well-developed and relatable characters.
  • Emotional Depth: The novel successfully balances horror with poignant explorations of grief and family relationships.
  • Vivid Imagery: The descriptive language brings the haunted house to life.
  • Thought-Provoking Themes: The exploration of memory, trauma, and legacy is compelling.

Weaknesses:

  • Pacing: While generally good, some readers might find the initial setup slightly slow if they are purely seeking jump scares.

Recommendations

I would highly recommend “It Was Her House First” to readers who enjoy atmospheric horror with a strong emotional core. Fans of authors like Shirley Jackson or T. Kingfisher, who blend unsettling atmospheres with character-driven narratives, would likely find this book particularly appealing. It’s a great choice for those who appreciate a slower burn that builds to a satisfyingly spooky conclusion.

Comparison

Comparing “It Was Her House First” to other Cherie Priest works, it shares the author’s knack for character-driven supernatural tales, often with a touch of the uncanny in everyday settings. While her “Brimstone” series leans into steampunk and alternative history, this novel is more purely in the realm of gothic horror and domestic dread. Within the horror genre, it stands as a solid example of modern ghost stories that prioritize psychological unease over gratuitous gore.

Rating

★★★★☆ (4/5 Stars)

“It Was Her House First” is a skillfully crafted horror novel that delivers on both its supernatural thrills and its human drama. Cherie Priest has created a story that is both terrifying and deeply moving, making it a memorable and rewarding read.

Where to Get It

  • My Ebook
  • Available at major online booksellers and independent bookstores.

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