The Good House

By: Tananarive Due

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 21 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Tananarive Due, author of The Living Blood won the American Book Award and is praised as Stephen King's equal by Publishers Weekly. In The Good House, Due sets a story of ancient powers and modern retribution in a small Pacific Northwest town. When a young woman returns to her grandmother's empty mansion, she is pitted against demonic forces that have poisoned her family for generations.

©2003 Tananarive Due (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Due handles the potentially unwieldy elements of her novel with confidence, cross-cutting smoothly from past to present, introducing revelatory facts that alter the interpretation of earlier scenes and interjecting powerfully orchestrated moments of supernatural horror that sustain the tale's momentum....[Due is] a writer who grows better with each book." (Publishers Weekly)

Good Enough

Mostly satisfying, but it nags me that some of the key elements aren't set up particularly well (or at all) and the length isn't justified. The writing style is visual rather than literary. That being said, it keeps you coming back. It's warm and earthy and entertaining.

Scary, but I didn't like the characters or the end

I love a scary book, and this one was plenty scary. Unfortunately, many of the main characters were unlikable. The first victim of the curse (who was the heart of the story) was such a jerk that I was not at all sorry to say goodbye. I was indifferent to Angie, the protagonist, and much more interested in Grandma Marie, about whom we learn relatively little. Most of the victims (other than the first) were far more likeable than Angie's family (Grandma Marie, excepted). The book also had a strange ending, which seemed to come out of nowhere.

If you want to be scared, this book is a good choice. If you want characters you empathize with and a logical ending, you may need to look elsewhere.

Remeniscent of "Skeleton Key"

What did you love best about The Good House?

I liked hearing about the things that had happened in the past, how Marie had fought, learning about the beliefs of the Gods and demon-like creatures, and how everything was incorporated into the modern day. I especially enjoyed hearing the characters as they went from searching for logical explanations, to suspicious dread, superstitious fears, and, finally, an acceptance of the supernatural. It followed the paths of each of the characters and their beliefs, or lack thereof, in a way that made sense.

What other book might you compare The Good House to and why?

It reminded me of "The Skeleton Key." An old house, supernatural happenings, characters who were stuck in their beliefs of what was logical and possible, and finally an acceptance of the unknown.

Which character – as performed by Robin Miles – was your favorite?

My favorite character was Marie Toussaint. Unfortunately, she has very little time in the book, but I enjoyed her character and learning more about her from what she left behind. She made some serious mistakes, and spends the rest of her life attempting to atone for them. So much so, that she continues even in death.

A true thriller

What did you love best about The Good House?

the entire story holds you until the last word

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

this book keeps leading you through the twist and turns with a power of the pen and narrator

Which scene was your favorite?

When mother realizes how strong her love for her son really is

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Very hard to turn off

Any additional comments?

Robin Miles is one of the most gifted narrators to ever record.She turned this good book into a fascinating book

Wow!!!

I want more!! A must read for anyone who loves a good supernatural mystery thriller with well developed and believable characters. The book touched me deeper than just its plot...it makes me want to learn more about the rich black culture in this country—and it gave me some of the insight I’ve been looking for into what normal life must be like for just a normal African American youth or adult just trying to go about their business and encountering the routine racism that is out there—but fails to touch us all. I loved getting to know these characters and I have an even deeper appreciation for the trials endured by minorities in the US. Scenarios were believable and by the end of the book, I felt like part of the family. Invested in their success etc. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

Great narrator!

Not a bad story line but what killed it for me was the length of the book. I think about 8 hours prior to the ending I was over it and I just wasn’t into listening anymore. I forced myself to get to the end. Robin Miles was

What Would You Wish For?

This book gets better each chapter. It is very suspenseful, well written and performed. I look forward to other books by Tananarive Due.

A story that gets under your skin

The narration is superb, bringing the characters to life. Characters that are so well written that you want to talk to them, encourage them, and even warn them. I loved it, and was hooked from start to finish

Best book and performance ever

Best book and performance ever, The narrator pulls you into the book and you feel it through her reading.

LOVE THIS BOOK!

This book was great, long book but went through really quickly and the narrator was perfect for this!