The House We Grew Up In - Lisa Jewell

The House We Grew Up In

ByLisa Jewell

  • Release Date: 2014-08-12
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4
4
From 953 Ratings

Description

From the New York Times bestselling author of None of This Is True and Then She Was Gone comes an unforgettable saga that follows the Bird family and how one tragedy ripples throughout their lives for years.

Meet the picture-perfect Bird family: pragmatic Meg, dreamy Beth, and towheaded twins Rory and Rhys, one an adventurous troublemaker, the other his slighter, more sensitive counterpart. Their father is a sweet, gangly man, but it’s their beautiful, free-spirited mother Lorelei who spins at the center. In those early years, Lorelei tries to freeze time by filling their simple brick house with precious mementos. Easter egg foils are her favorite. Craft supplies, too. She hangs all of the children’s art, to her husband’s chagrin.

Then one Easter weekend, a tragedy so devastating occurs that, almost imperceptibly, it begins to tear the family apart. Years pass and the children have become adults, while Lorelei has become the county’s worst hoarder. She has alienated her husband and children and has been living as a recluse. But then something happens that beckons the Bird family back to the house they grew up in—to finally understand the events of that long-ago Easter weekend and to unearth the many secrets hidden within the nooks and crannies of home.

Reviews

  • The House We Lived In

    1
    By Geri Wolf
    Nonsense. Too long. Round and round. Thank God it’s done.

  • Good read but just an odd story…

    3
    By HKSims
    Very different from other books by this author. Drags quite a bit and the characters and actions are tough to understand or relate to. I liked it but it’s a strange read!

  • So enjoyable

    5
    By Nutzaboutcooking
    It was entertaining and comforting to peek into another family’s life that is more screwed up than my own. It also gives hope that things can be worked out and history does not necessarily have to repeat itself

  • Much needed Discussion

    5
    By 2justsieG
    This book dove into so many needed family issues. Secrets, shame, mistakes etc. All of this lead one woman to suffer in silence and try to satisfy her pain by hoarding. This is a serious condition that plagues millions of people and I love the way the author presented it!

    My daughter in laws mother is a horde and she tries to help her mother the best she can. Her mother has even shown promise in starting to release and get rid of things. We just pray this will continue.

    Thank you,
    Jess

  • The ending….

    4
    By Elizabethmmm
    Wow. I was so attached to this book and loved it so much. Easily one of the most talented writers, I brag about her weeks later. Would give 5 stars if the ending weren’t so unsatisfying/boring/movie like. So disappointing.

  • Subtle and powerful

    5
    By SaltWaterSting
    A very compelling story of the frailties and strengths we all have. I anticipated the ending but it was nonetheless extremely satisfying to see the deft way she handled it.

  • Thoughtful, but often out of realm of reality

    4
    By HMF14
    I really wanted to like this book, and for the first half I really did. But there became a few too many viewpoints and the subplots became too unrealistic that I found it hard to enjoy. There were certain plots I wanted to know more about and they were overshadowed by the sillier ones (particularly Rory and Beth). I also found some of the timeline confusing because many of the stories were only a few years apart and it became disorienting. As usual, Lisa Jewell has a beautiful, detailed writing style but this book could have benefited from a focus on a few less characters and a more satisfying conclusion.

  • Fantastic

    4
    By LiaLia26
    Fantastic read- very well written, I couldn't put it down. I love the exploration of this dysfunctional family revolving around a hoarder seen through the eyes of all those that loved her. I love how the story ties together from an unlikely outsider. I wish there was further exploration on the Rory/ Kayleigh relationship, although I understand why the author left it up to the reader's interpretation.

More by Lisa Jewell

About "The House We Grew Up In"

Explore The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell on eBooksStore by Arnlweb. Discover book details, reader ratings, reviews, release information, genres, and related digital books available through the iTunes Store.

This book is part of our growing collection of bestselling eBooks, popular digital reading materials, and trending author releases. Readers can explore similar books, discover new authors, and browse related genres including fiction, romance, mystery, fantasy, business, self-help, educational books, and more.

Our platform helps readers discover highly rated digital books optimized for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop devices. Browse fast-loading book pages, reader reviews, and popular recommendations from bestselling authors worldwide.

Why Readers Explore This Book

  • Detailed book information
  • Reader ratings and reviews
  • Popular author collections
  • Related digital books
  • Mobile-friendly reading discovery
  • Fast-loading book pages
  • Trending eBook recommendations

Popular Reading Categories

  • Fiction & Literature
  • Business & Finance
  • Romance & Drama
  • Mystery & Thriller
  • Fantasy & Adventure
  • Educational eBooks
  • Self-Help & Motivation