Review: Catherine House

5 stars. WOW, UNEXPECTED!! In a great way. Very Vita Nostra, which I INHALED and loved, so I really enjoyed this. I saw Catherine House described as quirky in another review, and I'd agree except I'd maybe say darkly quirky instead. The narrator has a meandering, unpredictable voice that feels like quite a slap to the brain and the plot doesn't really progress in a natural way. Again, very unexpected and unique.

The story is told by our protagonist, Ines, at the beginning of a three year stay at Catherine House, an exclusive and isolated school whose alumni go on to be incredibly successful - rock stars, famous authors, Supreme Court judges, etc. Catherine House has an unusual set of rules and curriculum standards, and Ines, after a rocky start, begins to feel at home in a way she never felt on the outside. She finds herself drawn toward an academic path focused on "new materials" and attempts to investigate while determining her own uncertain future.

The writing here is very beautiful and atmospheric, and to me shone far brighter than the plot or central mystery. That's okay with me, it won't be for other readers. Just like Vita Nostra - pulling from what is probably The Secret History (I see you I feel you *waves* Hi, Bunny) - this book has a campus novel slash dark academia feel to it in all the best ways, with some absolutely brilliant details. Yeah, I'm talking about the meta lessons about the uncanny, and futurism, and surrealism. Yeah, I'm talking about the references to all the rich, sweet food eaten in the Hall. Yeah, I'm talking about the wavy, vague depictions of what it is to be wine-soaked and young in the summertime. These details really impressed me and came across as vivid, important and thoughtful.

Now that I'm writing this, I think I'd call this book a feeling. It's not an answer, or a declaration, or even a narrative in the traditional sense. It's like slipping into a pool or a cloud or a bubble. It feels cold and hot and provokes dread and anticipation and desire with subtle gestures rather than outright action. Reading it is sensational, in a literal sense; unsettling and even disturbing at times, but all in all it is the type of thing I love. Cinematic and beautifully artistic. So, yeah, not for everyone, definitely for me. 

I have a feeling that Elisabeth Thomas and I are about to become good friends. 

Catherine House on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads