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mediaqueen86's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-4⭐️ This book grew on me. I was expecting more of a ghost story/mystery element based on the short description I read. Upon starting the book, I found myself losing interest. I thought it seemed a bit pretentious with characters that I didn’t connect with. Norman’s style of writing is one that I’m not very familiar with. However, I’m glad I stuck with it and continued reading. About halfway through, my feelings towards the story changed. I found myself drawn more into the story with a clearer picture of the characters and the real focus of the novel. In the end, I enjoyed The Ghost Clause.
* I received an advance reading copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
* I received an advance reading copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
julie_gee's review against another edition
4.0
The reviews for this book were mixed. I agree that the plot wandered, but I enjoyed the setting in Vermont and the story of two marriages. Easy read.
sausome's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, but there just seemed to be an invisible wall between me and the narrative that kept me from being fully connected to what was happening. The back and forth between the ghost's life and marriage and the living couple's marriage and life, adding in the "mystery" of the missing girl and that whole investigation, just kept me pretty continuously confused about what story line I was currently meant to keep track of. The conversations were also long, and often without reference to who was speaking, and that was also an easy way to become lost. I think I enjoy a book that doesn't require quite so much effort.
batwoman411's review against another edition
4.0
A Beautiful and subdued ghost story set between two couples’ lives. This is not a scary story; it is a love story.
loribulb's review against another edition
4.0
This turned out to be completely different than what I'd expected. The summaries and teasers I'd read for this book made it seem almost farcical- the young couple and the ghost! How will they get along??? That kind of thing.
Instead I found a beautiful, intelligent story that has both heartbreak and comfort- both from unusual angles.
At first the characters annoyed me; their pretentiousness was a big overwhelming. I did get used to them (they are so high maintenance!) and enjoyed the story being told around them.
Recommend for a bittersweet reason. Warning: you'll want a farmhouse in Vermont by the time you finish reading.
Instead I found a beautiful, intelligent story that has both heartbreak and comfort- both from unusual angles.
At first the characters annoyed me; their pretentiousness was a big overwhelming. I did get used to them (they are so high maintenance!) and enjoyed the story being told around them.
Recommend for a bittersweet reason. Warning: you'll want a farmhouse in Vermont by the time you finish reading.
mommamel11's review against another edition
3.0
What is this book? The title indicates that is a ghost story or a mystery. There is a ghost narrator (who sets off the security alarm in the library). There is a mystery---the new husband in the house is searching for a missing child. There is also some reflection on marriage as the ghost narrator compares his marriage to the couple living in his Vermont farm house. Add in some erotic poetry translated from the Japanese by the detective's wife and you have I don't know what. The author tried to create a fairy tale; twee setting, perfectly imperfect characters. Despite the numerous elements I found irritating, overall I liked the book and I think others will find it somewhat entertaining.
Personally I found ALL the characters to be highly self-aware. Norman gives them little tics or habits
that I found precocious.
I appreciate NetGalley letting me read this book in exchange for a review.
Personally I found ALL the characters to be highly self-aware. Norman gives them little tics or habits
that I found precocious.
I appreciate NetGalley letting me read this book in exchange for a review.
bookwyrm_kate's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars. There were many elements that I really liked, including the ghostly narrator, the history of the house, Epilogue the cat, and the contrasting marriages. The use of nature and weather was beautiful. This book was hopeful but melancholy, sometimes funny and sometimes boring. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. It was worth reading, and didn’t drag too much, being fairly short.
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
As The Ghost Clause is my first Edelweiss book request, I've decided to share my "Reason for Request", and then my review. I intend to do so with any future approved requests, as they may help other bloggers with their own requests, but also incase I need a little inspiration for future requests as well.
Reason for Request: I'm requesting this book for the purpose of reviewing and sharing on my blog, but also for personal reasons as a native Vermonter and fascination with the paranormal. I actually had heard of the ghost clause growing up, so I am most intrigued by where Howard Norman takes his readers with this goofy VT law.
After I got approved (and settled all my excitement), I dove into The Ghost Clause.
Zachary and Muriel live in an old farmhouse in Calais, Vermont. Muriel is a poetry professor at UNH, and Zachary works at Green Mountain Agency as a detective, with his first case being a missing child, ten year old Corrine Moore. The young couple are excited about their new residence and eager to become a part of the town, and Zach is determined to find Corrine Moore.
Alternatively, we hear about the life of Simon and Lorca, the previous owners of Zach and Muriel's home. This couple admired the history of the home and were eager to start their own family in it together. As the reader continues, we find out that Simon is haunting his old residence, after passing from a heart attack.
Zach and Muriel learned that the house has a "ghost clause", in which if they find their home to be haunted, the seller must buy back the property. It's a strange Vermont law, and though rare, it is not unheard of. When century old homes populate the rural properties of the state, there's bound to be a spirit or to hanging around. The interesting thing is, I'm pretty sure Lorca knew that Simon would come back to their house.
Simon spends much of his time observing Zach and Muriel, as well as reading in the library and reminiscing about his life with Lorca. He also contemplates where he is in his non-existence- what it means to be a spirit, or to have memories not tied to his physical brain. The reader is easily swept away into the haunting tale of these two loving couples.
Howard Norman is a wordsmith, who uses beautiful descriptive yet strategic language- I don't feel like I'm struggling to cypher his meaning, but he certainly added new words such as lepidopterist and elegiac to my vocabulary. Though the narrative tends to meander, I felt that it ties well with Simon's ghostly observational habits. Often, the story is about the small intimacies between the couples- the time they spend (or spent) together, their hopes and dreams, their daily life. It's not overly riveting or exciting, but the writing tends to pull you in anyway.
Overall, I would say I was expecting a ghost story and instead received two love stories that blended together. It's not a disappointment, but I did think I was a little mislead by the book title and description. Once I was into the novel, I was curious to learn more about the couples, but the meandering plot line definitely kept me from tearing through the novel. In the end, I think I would still recommend it, but only to certain readers looking for a specific type of read. I'd say that if you're looking for a non-typical love story, or a linguistic read, this would be a good option.
Expected Publication Date: July 2, 2019
As The Ghost Clause is my first Edelweiss book request, I've decided to share my "Reason for Request", and then my review. I intend to do so with any future approved requests, as they may help other bloggers with their own requests, but also incase I need a little inspiration for future requests as well.
Reason for Request: I'm requesting this book for the purpose of reviewing and sharing on my blog, but also for personal reasons as a native Vermonter and fascination with the paranormal. I actually had heard of the ghost clause growing up, so I am most intrigued by where Howard Norman takes his readers with this goofy VT law.
After I got approved (and settled all my excitement), I dove into The Ghost Clause.
Zachary and Muriel live in an old farmhouse in Calais, Vermont. Muriel is a poetry professor at UNH, and Zachary works at Green Mountain Agency as a detective, with his first case being a missing child, ten year old Corrine Moore. The young couple are excited about their new residence and eager to become a part of the town, and Zach is determined to find Corrine Moore.
Alternatively, we hear about the life of Simon and Lorca, the previous owners of Zach and Muriel's home. This couple admired the history of the home and were eager to start their own family in it together. As the reader continues, we find out that Simon is haunting his old residence, after passing from a heart attack.
Zach and Muriel learned that the house has a "ghost clause", in which if they find their home to be haunted, the seller must buy back the property. It's a strange Vermont law, and though rare, it is not unheard of. When century old homes populate the rural properties of the state, there's bound to be a spirit or to hanging around. The interesting thing is, I'm pretty sure Lorca knew that Simon would come back to their house.
Simon spends much of his time observing Zach and Muriel, as well as reading in the library and reminiscing about his life with Lorca. He also contemplates where he is in his non-existence- what it means to be a spirit, or to have memories not tied to his physical brain. The reader is easily swept away into the haunting tale of these two loving couples.
Howard Norman is a wordsmith, who uses beautiful descriptive yet strategic language- I don't feel like I'm struggling to cypher his meaning, but he certainly added new words such as lepidopterist and elegiac to my vocabulary. Though the narrative tends to meander, I felt that it ties well with Simon's ghostly observational habits. Often, the story is about the small intimacies between the couples- the time they spend (or spent) together, their hopes and dreams, their daily life. It's not overly riveting or exciting, but the writing tends to pull you in anyway.
Overall, I would say I was expecting a ghost story and instead received two love stories that blended together. It's not a disappointment, but I did think I was a little mislead by the book title and description. Once I was into the novel, I was curious to learn more about the couples, but the meandering plot line definitely kept me from tearing through the novel. In the end, I think I would still recommend it, but only to certain readers looking for a specific type of read. I'd say that if you're looking for a non-typical love story, or a linguistic read, this would be a good option.
Expected Publication Date: July 2, 2019
bfth23's review against another edition
2.0
Not as good as I hoped. Tried to heard to be "cerebral".