A review by sarai0410
The September House by Carissa Orlando

dark emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As a thriller/horror newbie, The September House, while containing creepy elements and body horror, is the perfect introduction to the genre. The characters, both corporeal and incorporeal, were stunningly crafted, evoking emotions ranging from compassion and contentment to anger. 

The way in which Orlando used the haunted house setting as an analogy for living within an abusive relationship was powerful. In the scenarios that Margaret shared with the reader as the story unfolded, her reactions, coping methods, the rules she created for herself, and the line in the sand she drew (Katherine) felt so hauntingly real. There were several times throughout the story that I had to take a moment due to my own history with the topic, but everything was done so well that it didn't deter from my enjoyment of the story at all.
 
He would apologize the next day of course, but I could never blame him. It became harder to believe that he was speaking nonsense. 

Margaret is a character that I related to in a way that I was no expecting. While she repeatedly tells herself that 'everything is survivable' in relation to her own life, she has no expectation, and rather strongly expresses her feelings towards, of her daughter experiencing or putting up with the same reality she is in. 

I would twist my life into a line that pointed towards something worthwhile for myself, for Katherine, even if it killed me. 

The ending, while feeling somewhat rushed, was really sealed it for me.
As Margaret, and the reader, got closer and closer to the end of September, the nature of Margaret's experience in the house comes into question with Katherine suspecting that her mother is possibly experiencing a mental breakdown or early-onset dementia, a condition it seems that Margaret's father suffered from as well. This realization within the story felt like a true 'oh shit' moment for me as I started to actually question whether the happenings and pranksters within the house were real or if this was truly a figment of Margaret's mind. In the scene with the police officers and Katherine questioning Margaret about what she 'thinks' she is seeing and experiencing, they had convinced her she was mentally ill - this felt so reminiscent of people not believing someone in an abusive situation - all of a sudden, Margaret is questioning herself and reality, when she knows deep down what is happening. Of course, as with those experiencing abuse, the outsiders (Katherine and the officers) only believed Margaret regarding the haunting in her home once they had to experience it themselves, and had no choice but to believe.
Everything about this was just so well done - I couldn't have asked for more from this story.  

It's a funny thing about being alone. You never really notice it when it's happening. Of course, you're aware that nobody else is there, but you are so busy with the little things. You've become acclimated to solitude, but it only takes on little thing to jolt you into the realization that for the past several years, you have been completely alone in all this.