Book Club: The House We Grew Up In

Trigger warning: The House We Grew Up In contains episodes of hoarding, suicide, and sexual abuse.

Looking back on my reading list from 2020, it seems I've unintentionally (yet almost exclusively) chosen books centred around specific tropes: Coming-of-age stories; Loads of characters with intertwining storylines; Travelling back-and-forth through the timeline; A hint of darkness looming over the plot.

The House We Grew Up In, by Lisa Jewell, falls neatly into place with the other books I've read this past year. Spanning decades and generations, the story follows The Birds as they navigate through tragedy and adversity. Individual family members struggle to reconcile their own identity with an allegiance to their relatives. (Or, in some cases, those bridges are actively being obliterated.) Crucial details are revealed slowly, almost piecemeal throughout the novel, gradually revealing the true driving forces behind characters, thereby helping unpack the rather intricate novel. Personally, I loved how you only get to unlock the big picture one key at a time, pretty much until the final pages -- it kept me burning through chapters and repeatedly renewing my interest in the saga.

TBH, you might not find any character particularly likeable (I didn't) but you will definitely pick sides in their family politics. I think The House We Grew Up In is excellent for a rainy -- or, dare I say, SNOWY -- weekend bookworm-ing at home. The story is stuffed with emotion, the plot twists will have you reeling, but things somehow avoid getting so heavy that reading become a burdensome drag. If you ever give it a chance, let me know what you think!

And shout-out to my pal, Erika, for lending me her copy of the book (along with a rave review) :)

Image credit: Carousell