Scan barcode
colourmebrad's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The best joke in this very goofy book is a Halloween store named Forever 31.
This is kinda fun at times, but pretty uneven, and I don't think all of its goofiness is intentional. There are enough things going on that I didn't ever feel like not finishing it, and it gets a little thrilling at the start of the final act, but then just goes so off the rails that the last, I dunno, 30 pages or so become an exercise in, "ok, let's get this over with, geeze".
I could probably do worse buying a book entirely based on title, though.
This is kinda fun at times, but pretty uneven, and I don't think all of its goofiness is intentional. There are enough things going on that I didn't ever feel like not finishing it, and it gets a little thrilling at the start of the final act, but then just goes so off the rails that the last, I dunno, 30 pages or so become an exercise in, "ok, let's get this over with, geeze".
I could probably do worse buying a book entirely based on title, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Suicide
If you don't like books that play fast and loose with mental health/illness and use the word 'crazy' a lot, this isn't for you. The tiniest bit spoiler-y details:melinterrupted's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Fatphobia
emily_stimmel's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Burnt Offerings meets The Elementals, as written by RL Stine without an editor.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Suicide
erikagibson126's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abandonment and Stalking
Minor: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Gun violence, Murder, and Cursing
maryellen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide
lovelymisanthrope's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I saw this book in Barnes & Noble and was intrigued by the cover and title.
"Man, Fuck This House" follows the Haskins family as they move to their new home located in Jackson Hill. Sabrina, the mother, is bored with the life she feels like she settled for, Hal, the father, is excited to start his new job and take care of the family he is oblivious to, Michela, the daughter, is the seemingly normal one, and Damien, the son, has spent his life trying to convince his mom that he is a demon. A fresh start for this family feels like the right thing, but when Sabrina starts seeing impossible things, she believes the house is haunted. Unfortunately, no one else sees anything, so maybe she is just finally going mad?
There was something overtly pretentious about the writing in this book, which really turned me off. I think the writing and inner monologue made sense for Damien's character because of how he is trying so desperately to be portrayed, but it really did not work for me throughout the rest of the book. The writing felt stilted, and it took me the first 100 pages to really become acclimated and be able to read and stay invested in the story.
My other big grievance with this story was the extreme gore that felt like it came out of nowhere. For example, there is a scene where someone sees something, and they end up clawing their eyes out. This is a character we met for one page, and it did not feel authentic at all. Wouldn't his first reaction be that someone is playing a trick on him? Why did he immediately cut his eyes out?! I am fine with gore, but it did not feel organically written, it felt forced for a shock factor from the reader.
One thing I did enjoy (spoiler) is the perspective we receive from the house. I think I would have enjoyed this story more if the entire novella was written from the perspective of the house rather than a mix of other characters. That is such a fresh idea for a haunted house story.
I am definitely curious to read more from Brian Asman in the future.
"Man, Fuck This House" follows the Haskins family as they move to their new home located in Jackson Hill. Sabrina, the mother, is bored with the life she feels like she settled for, Hal, the father, is excited to start his new job and take care of the family he is oblivious to, Michela, the daughter, is the seemingly normal one, and Damien, the son, has spent his life trying to convince his mom that he is a demon. A fresh start for this family feels like the right thing, but when Sabrina starts seeing impossible things, she believes the house is haunted. Unfortunately, no one else sees anything, so maybe she is just finally going mad?
There was something overtly pretentious about the writing in this book, which really turned me off. I think the writing and inner monologue made sense for Damien's character because of how he is trying so desperately to be portrayed, but it really did not work for me throughout the rest of the book. The writing felt stilted, and it took me the first 100 pages to really become acclimated and be able to read and stay invested in the story.
My other big grievance with this story was the extreme gore that felt like it came out of nowhere. For example, there is a scene where someone sees something, and they end up clawing their eyes out. This is a character we met for one page, and it did not feel authentic at all. Wouldn't his first reaction be that someone is playing a trick on him? Why did he immediately cut his eyes out?! I am fine with gore, but it did not feel organically written, it felt forced for a shock factor from the reader.
One thing I did enjoy (spoiler) is the perspective we receive from the house. I think I would have enjoyed this story more if the entire novella was written from the perspective of the house rather than a mix of other characters. That is such a fresh idea for a haunted house story.
I am definitely curious to read more from Brian Asman in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Death, Torture, Gore, and Death of parent
crlpedigo's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Violence
irenemarie's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Gore
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Child death
royalraspberry's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Suicide
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Body horror
wooter42's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide