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The Red House Hardcover – 10 May 2012

3.4 3.4 out of 5 stars 1,284 ratings

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Family, that slippery word, a star to every wandering bark, and everyone sailing under a different sky.

After his mother's death, Richard, a newly remarried hospital consultant, decides to build bridges with his estranged sister, inviting Angela and her family for a week in a rented house on the Welsh border. Four adults and four children, a single family and all of them strangers. Seven days of shared meals, log fires, card games and wet walks.

But in the quiet and stillness of the valley, ghosts begin to rise up. The parents Richard thought he had. The parents Angela thought she had. Past and present lovers. Friends, enemies, victims, saviours. And watching over all of them from high on the dark hill, Karen, Angela's stillborn daughter.

The Red House is about the extraordinariness of the ordinary, weaving the words and thoughts of the eight characters together with those fainter, stranger voices - of books and letters and music, of the dead who once inhabited these rooms, of the ageing house itself and the landscape in which it sits.

Once again Mark Haddon, bestselling author of
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and A Spot of Bother, has written a novel that is funny, poignant and deeply insightful about human lives.

Product description

Review

A beautiful object that will grace any holiday home's unfixably wobbly bedside table. The cover feels like a cracked china plate, decorated with a clever re-working of the willow-pattern; like the contents, it is subtle and clever. Haddon writes superb books for children, teenagers and grown-ups, and gets every voice in this one dead right. He is also a master craftsman, so this complicated narrative moves with the speed and certainty of released, unhappy holidaymakers hitting the homeward road. So shove this in your holidaying bag. You may have made a mistake with the booking, but you won't with the book -- Susan Jeffreys ― Independent

Mark Haddon is terrifyingly talented...
The Red House is thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable entertainment -- Angus Clarke ― The Times

A hugely enjoyable, sympathetic novel...a tremendous pleasure...we have been absorbed, entertained and moved -- Kate Kellaway ―
Observer

Rather like with Alan Ayckbourn's plays, what makes
The Red House engaging is the quality of the writing. From the first page in which the train carrying Dominic and Angela's family "unzips the fields", there is a vigor to Haddon's prose which carries you along. I read it twice, both times with enjoyment -- Amanda Craig ― Independent on Sunday

With writing as elegant and truthful as this, readers will wish to keep their copies close at hand to savour again -- Michael Arditti ―
Daily Mail

About the Author

Mark Haddon is a writer and artist. His bestselling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, was published simultaneously by Jonathan Cape and David Fickling in 2003. It won seventeen literary prizes, including the Whitbread Award. In 2012, a stage adaptation by Simon Stephens was produced by the National Theatre and went on to win 7 Olivier Awards in 2013 and the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play. In 2005 his poetry collection, The Talking Horse and the Sad Girl and the Village Under the Sea, was published by Picador, and his play, Polar Bears, was produced by the Donmar Warehouse in 2010. His most recent novel, The Red House, was published by Jonathan Cape in 2012. The Pier Falls, a collection of short stories, was also published by Cape in 2016. To commemorate the centenary of the Hogarth Press he wrote and illustrated a short story that appeared alongside Virginia Woolf's first story for the press in Two Stories (Hogarth, 2017).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jonathan Cape; First Edition (10 May 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0224096400
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0224096409
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.2 x 2.7 x 24 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    3.4 3.4 out of 5 stars 1,284 ratings

About the author

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Mark Haddon
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Mark Haddon is an author, illustrator and screenwriter who has written fifteen books for children and won two BAFTAs. His bestselling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, was published simultaneously by Jonathan Cape and David Fickling in 2003. It won seventeen literary prizes, including the Whitbread Award. His poetry collection, The Talking Horse and the Sad Girl and the Village Under the Sea, was published by Picador in 2005, and his last novel, The Red House, was published by Jonathan Cape in 2012. He lives in Oxford.

Customer reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars
1,284 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book difficult to follow and slow to get into. They find the narrative depressing and lack empathy for the characters. Opinions vary on readability, narrative quality, and writing style. Some find the storyline believable and atmospheric, while others feel it's not fluid or engaging. The character development is also mixed, with some finding them compelling and lovely, while others find them complex.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

9 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and fascinating. They describe it as a journey of discovery that is well-written and experimental without being irritating. Readers appreciate the author's ability to explore and probe without preaching.

"...is one of his greatest skills as a writer, his ability to explore and probe without preaching...." Read more

"...However, if you are willing to persevere, it is a voyage of discovery...." Read more

"Interesting and readable but not a patch on 'Spot of Bother ' or 'Curious incident of the dog in the night' ...." Read more

"...I loved The Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and liked A Spot of Bother, but I feel as if the author has really honed and developed his style..." Read more

96 customers mention ‘Readability’65 positive31 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability. Some find it interesting and engaging, while others feel it's difficult to pick up and put down with many characters and stories intertwining. Overall, readers have different experiences with the book's readiness.

"...And the hope was what kept me reading. We can all benefit from a bit more of that in our lives." Read more

"Mark Haddon first wrote a superb book with which he has proven he can get inside the head of an autistic child. I cried for that lonely boy...." Read more

"...caused the novel to be somewhat disjointed and I found it a fairly stilted read...." Read more

"...A very good read and I recommend this wholeheartedly." Read more

94 customers mention ‘Narrative quality’43 positive51 negative

Customers have different views on the narrative quality. Some find the storyline believable and evocative, capturing the complexities and difficulties of modern life. They enjoy the main character and find the depth of everyday lives beautifully depicted. Others feel the story lacks fluidity and is not very engaging for them.

"...it follows one week of a holiday. It is an intense snapshot into family life where characters young and old wrestle with the challenges of living-..." Read more

"...There is no suspense as I cannot warn the characters about their misgivings. Sorry." Read more

"...There are some beautiful similes and the story is written in an extremely evocative and atmospheric way that makes the reader almost feel wet from..." Read more

"...It's not so much the plot, an inconsequential tale of an estranged brother and sister and their respective families (dysfunctional, naturally) going..." Read more

85 customers mention ‘Writing style’53 positive32 negative

Customers have different views on the writing style. Some find it wonderful and realistic, with beautiful similes and well-drawn characters. Others find it convoluted, wordy, and messy.

"...allows you to get into the heads of the characters, all flawed, real individuals...." Read more

"...There is no irony in this book as there are too many characters...." Read more

"...Being honest, I can't say I enjoyed it. It is well written and experimental without being out and out irritating..." Read more

"...There are some beautiful similes and the story is written in an extremely evocative and atmospheric way that makes the reader almost feel wet from..." Read more

37 customers mention ‘Character development’21 positive16 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development. Some find the characters compelling, lovely, and well-developed with multiple layers. The narration shifts between characters smoothly, revealing details bit by bit. However, others mention that some characters have complex issues and the speech from various characters is unattributed.

"...The omniscient narration flutters between each character, revealing details bit by bit...." Read more

"...There was no main character, and personally I didn't like that...." Read more

"...Benjy's charming innocence and very boyish interests provide much entertainment, and the obvious love his two older siblings have for him is..." Read more

"...Each voice is clearly distinguishable and he devotes equal care and detail to bringing all his characters vividly to life...." Read more

13 customers mention ‘Effectiveness’6 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some find it effective and excellent, while others feel there is a lack of storyline and struggle to get into it. They mention that the book doesn't go any further and is not as good as his other works.

"...There is no 'action', just a study of relationships...." Read more

"...and act the way they do - so, what I am trying to say is - the book does its job...." Read more

"This book was not as good as his other works, although it is interesting the way he explore the different personalities of the characters and how..." Read more

"...are eight simple chapters - one for each day of the stay - and this works well...." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Difficulty to follow’4 positive10 negative

Customers find the book difficult to follow due to complex characters and issues. They say it's hard to get into at first and not as punchy as the other two books. The narrative slows down and doesn't grip them as much as the other two books did.

"...I found it hard to get into at first, and not as punchy as the other two books, but once I got used to the different style, it was a really good read..." Read more

"...I was unsure who was saying what to whom. It made it difficult to follow. Lots of characters with complex issues...." Read more

"...The technique is masterful - and challenging at times. The descriptions of the Welsh Marches (an area I know well) stunningly beautiful...." Read more

"...This made it hard to follow at times and also irritating - it's nice to see where the characters going!" Read more

14 customers mention ‘Empathy’3 positive11 negative

Customers find the book depressing and lacking empathy. They find it difficult to sympathize with the characters, and the ending is unsatisfactory.

"...There is no concrete ending, no happily ever after-this is not a spoiler, any book which follows just one week will naturally end before the story..." Read more

"...I feel that this is an aspect of the novel that lets it down. Nobody is upbeat and, because Mark Haddon chooses to write in an unusual..." Read more

"hard to feel much empathy for this book...." Read more

"...It's moving, funny and sad. But above all, it's honest...." Read more

not bad!
5 out of 5 stars
not bad!
After reading all the bad reviews, I kept stalling to buy and read this. I loved Haddon's previous 2 books, especially a Spot of Bother, so in the end I decided to give this a go. How bad could it be?I almost gave up, and I had to struggle to get through the start. But once you get used to the style of writing it becomes much easier to follow. The story and the characters are quite interesting. It's simply a family on holiday, but of course this is more about the people than what happens around them.It might not be to everyone's liking, but if you do decide to give this a go, keep reading. This is a good book, just written in a modern way that takes some getting used to.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 August 2015
    After reading through Curious Incident and A Spot of Bother within a few weeks of each other around a decade ago, Mark Haddon has become one of my favourite authors. His mastery over the small details create a sense of place and time unmatched by any other author, and really allows you to get into the heads of the characters, all flawed, real individuals.

    The Red House is basically the story of an extended family going on holiday together to a cottage. Some things happen, then they go home. But during their stay, you are drawn into every character's private world, their history, their mistakes, their self-loathing and torment. You get an insight into why people act the way they do, even if you think that act is repugnant or distressing.

    The drama is internalised, while the setting is mundane. When the drama finally spills out and butts heads with the other family members, you can't help but gasp, well-up or laugh out loud - all things that I don't normally do while reading, but simply can't help when reading Mark Haddon. An expertly crafted novel that I would read again in a heartbeat.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 May 2014
    When The Red House was selected as the May read for my book group I wasn't sure it'd be my cup of tea. The cover was gloomy and foreboding for starters, and my headspace hasn't been all that fantastic in recent months. I didn't think I was up to coping with a depressing read (a Google search suggests that other editions of the book have a lighter cover- I wonder if owning one of those instead might have changed my perception of the book and therefore what I expected from it?).

    However, The Red House isn't actually a depressing read. Set around the Wales/England border (my old stomping ground!) it follows one week of a holiday. It is an intense snapshot into family life where characters young and old wrestle with the challenges of living- bereavement, marriage, sexuality, faith...Haddon certainly doesn't shy away from issues which other authors might be afraid to tackle for fear of offending. But this is one of his greatest skills as a writer, his ability to explore and probe without preaching.

    There was no main character, and personally I didn't like that. I wanted to be able to get my teeth into them (not literally, I'm not a cannibal) and felt that wasn't possible. Daisy in particular, a teenager discovering Christianity alongside her burgeoning attraction to another female, interested me. In some ways I felt short changed as she would have made a brilliant lead character-I want a follow up with just her story to see what happens to her next!

    In some ways not much happens in The Red House. There is no concrete ending, no happily ever after-this is not a spoiler, any book which follows just one week will naturally end before the story does. Being honest, I can't say I enjoyed it. It is well written and experimental without being out and out irritating (thinking of other experimental writers here who have used techniques that as a reader I found unbearable- Ali Smith's 'start in the middle of a sentence' in The Accidental for one), and I cared enough about a few of the characters to want to read on. I also found it interesting to see how the relationships between the characters developed over the course of the week, and how some days were eventful; others more mundane.

    This book walks the fine line between despair and hope. And the hope was what kept me reading. We can all benefit from a bit more of that in our lives.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 May 2012
    It's very true that when people gather at funerals they often say to long lost relatives that they must never leave it so long before meeting up again. It's usually just words and those relatives remain distant until an obscure uncle or aunt passes away. In "The Red House", Mark Haddon's latest novel, early middle aged brother and sister Richard and Angela, buck that trend after their mother's funeral and get back together when Richard arranges a holiday cottage near Hay on Wye on the Welsh Borders and invites Angela and her family for a week's break.

    Richard is a successful physician with a new wife and a teenage step-daughter. Angela is married to Dominic who has been significantly less successful than Richard in his career. They have three kids, eight year old Benjy and his teenager brother and sister Alex and Daisy.

    The book explores the relationships between the eight characters over the week's break. All have problems - some problems are greater than others but, suffice to say, nobody is in the perfect mood to spend time with a bunch of near strangers and the holiday is predictably a time of tension rather than relaxation.

    The bucolic setting reminded me a little of Posy Simmonds' Tamara Drewe comic strip and film but, although there is an opportunity for humour in the situation, it is instead a story of angst. And there is so much angst! Apart from young Benjy, no character has much to smile about and even poor Benjy has his parents to fret over. I feel that this is an aspect of the novel that lets it down. Nobody is upbeat and, because Mark Haddon chooses to write in an unusual (though granted extremely clever) style of hopping from viewpoint to viewpoint to the extent that I frequently found myself turning back a page to see which character was the subject of a particular passage it can at times be a very difficult read. Although the necessity to do this eased as I gradually got into the book and understood the characters I found another technique used by the author ( jumping from the past to the present tense) caused the novel to be somewhat disjointed and I found it a fairly stilted read.

    There are some beautiful similes and the story is written in an extremely evocative and atmospheric way that makes the reader almost feel wet from the interminable Borders' rain but I didn't like the characters enough to empathise with them and, whilst I would give an arm and a leg to be able to write so well, I would rate this as four rather than five stars.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • RhinoByte
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Diamond....when THE gravel is dug out from around it.
    Reviewed in Canada on 8 October 2018
    I have enjoyed Mark Haddon's books IMMENSELY UP UNTIL THIS BOOK. But I was worried when I started to read 'The Red House' that I had got myself a 'dud'! This book is very, very hard to get into....and become connected to the story. Mark has come at you in this novel with many characters; and not one of them is simple or a one dimensional. The story follows a family, and some extended family....on a family trip.....to a large country estate in the English country side. The setting...not only creates tension, among family members....but the setting plays such a huge roll in how this novel plays out; it is almost a character all its own. Mark has also employed an almost 'stream of conciousness' type of writing, as seen through the eyes of multiple characters....more so at the very beginning of the novel....which is what makes it so very difficult to connect with the characters...at first. By the time you realize what Mark Haddon has done......you are absolutely hooked on this story! You have had to focus so much on the characters.....that when they 'come out of their shells' and start interacting with each other....you are completly invested in the story. Mark Haddon is clearly a writer who does not stick....to traditional storyline, character development, or 'antagonist, protagonist' writing. His writing is SUCH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR in a stuffy literary world! DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR...READ THIS...IF YOU HAVE NOT READ HIS OTHER BOOKS READ THOSE...YOU WANT TO BE CAUGHT UP..BEFORE HE DROPS HIS NEXT MASTERPIECE! Well done Mr.Haddon.
  • Ilsekatrin
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Red House
    Reviewed in Germany on 26 March 2020
    prima, danke
  • Cristina
    3.0 out of 5 stars Se deja leer
    Reviewed in Spain on 2 April 2018
    Se deja leer, pero no es una de sus mejores obras, aunque me parece que es la más conocida. Bien.
  • keith
    4.0 out of 5 stars One of his best
    Reviewed in Australia on 17 January 2020
    Some great writing (of course), some memorable characters ... some less memorable ... a family weekend like I've never known. Dislike ... everyone gets off a little too easily; too many lists taking the place of good descriptive writing.
  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Well written aimlessness?
    Reviewed in the United States on 25 September 2015
    I've read his other books which lead me to read this one. "The curious incident about the dog in the night" was excellent. This story seemed to get really interesting but left me quite flat in the end. So many questions. Why did Karen haunt her mother? And with such evil intent? What happened between Angela and her father. There was no resolution, nothing satisfactory. Still will read this author, the writing is excellent, evocative of my own thinking feeling self.