If you know me, then you should know that I love my weird little books where weird little things happen. Habitat by Catriona Shine fits the bill, and safe to say I enjoyed this book a lot. And if this short intro appeals to you, then you’d probably enjoy this book too.

Habitat is set in a mid-century apartment complex in Oslo. Most residents own their apartments and have lived there for years. Living in a small space with many people, it’s inevitable that you get to know your neighbors, albeit through a very limited perspective. Over the years, resentment and tensions build up, and it all comes to a head when strange things start happening to the building. Windows refuse to close. There are unexplained draughts. Bricks go missing. Walls seem to thin, to the point that sounds from the neighbors are amplified. The floors no longer remain solid. Things disappear and reappear in places they shouldn’t. The roof suddenly stops being a roof. And the earth reclaims the building, soil and roots taking over the lower levels. These things happen separately to different people and different apartments. And it’s just weird enough of an occurrence that they feel like they shouldn’t talk about it to anyone because it simply can’t be real. 

But it is. 

The book starts off slow, and we get chapters from different neighbors, giving us a glimpse into their lives, their apartments, their petty grievances, and their long-standing feuds. We also learn what home means to them. 

The memorable cast of characters each had their own quirks and backstories. Eva, the very bossy and holier-than-thou head of the board of residents reminds me of someone my aunt has some ongoing beef with (a story for another time). Gunnar, the greedy nephew of a resident who is just itching to sell his aunt’s well-preserved apartment with all the original mid-century elements. Oh, he also owns a basement flat in the building and is renting it out to students. Unsurprisingly, Gunnar is a horrible landlord. And softspoken Sonja!!! With her determination to get to the bottom of things, despite not having anyone take her concerns seriously.

The writing in this book was compelling in an understated way. It’s not often that I get to indulge in being a little nosey, so this book about a bunch of neighbors dealing with a crisis scratched that itch. I loved how the absurdity and the horror slowly built up, with the characters shifting from mild curiosity to disbelief to the realization that something quite impossible and unbelievable has indeed happened. Things could have turned out better for them if only they talked to each other, and helped each other out. But despite living in a shared space, they have a surprising lack of community. They chose to put themselves first, hiding the truth so they can come out ahead in some way. Unfortunately for them, the building has other plans.

This debut novel by Catriona Shine was a joy to read, and a great book to start my July with. Thank you to NetGalley and The Lilliput Press for the eARC!