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The Seance (2008)

by John Harwood(Favorite Author)

3.54 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0224081861 (ISBN13: 9780224081863)

languge

English

genre

Horror

publisher

Jonathan Cape, Vintage Publishing

review 1: In Harwood's second novel and gothic mystery, The Seance is reminisicent of a classic Victorian ghost story . Constance Langton inherits Wraxford Hall which has an infamous history. The novel is divided into three character's first person viewpoints: Constance, John Montague, and Eleanor Unwin. It first seemed fragmented, but the stories connect together and by the end when the reader returns to Constance's narrative, everything comes full circle and unlike Harwood's first novel, The Ghost Writer, the ending wraps everything up nicely. I usually don't read historical fiction, but for the purposes of seances, it was necessary and refreshing to read especially references to the period of Victorian England. The atmosphere and writing worked well. Given the story is in multipl... moree viewpoints in first person, the book challenges the reader to recall details and characters that might've come up in previous parts. I didn't find the voice of the characters too distinct from one another which didn't help, but didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. I'd recommend this for those who like a good ghost story and mystery.
review 2: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm so glad I picked it up in October. I was reminded of Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White through the narrative style of multiple points of view and the writing style which is reminiscent of the great Gothic novels of the 18th century. Was it perfect? No..but it kept me guessing, it kept my attention, it made me want to know what happens next and contained all the elements a good Gothic novel needs. less

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