23 October 2011

Review: The Small Hand by Susan Hill

The Small Hand by Susan Hill book cover
The Small Hand: A Ghost Story by Susan Hill is a short quick read and I knocked it over in no time at all.  It was also a gothic novel, and met the requirements for my Gothic Reading Challenge, so that was a bonus!

Adam Snow is an antiquarian bookseller, which is such a delicious occupation for the reader to enjoy and the highlight of the novel.  One night Adam takes a wrong turn on his way to visit a client and discovers a dilapidated old manor called The White House.  I enjoyed Susan Hill's description of The White House and the history of the once famous gardens, however the 'ghost story' of the title was quite lame.

Although the novel can be called gothic, it wasn't spooky, creepy, haunting or unnerving at all.  It had none of the 'ghostly' qualities I would expect in a ghost story and was hoping to find here.

It is for this reason that unfortunately I wouldn't recommend The Small Hand.

My rating = **

Carpe Librum!

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