Rating: 3.5 / 5
I added A HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM OF A LAKE by Josh Malerman to my February TBR, then immediately proceeded to read it in January because I’m contrary like that! This has been on my shelves for quite a long while.
A HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM OF A LAKE centers on two teens, James and Amelia, just entering into a new relationship. Their first date is spent borrowing a boat from James’ uncle and exploring the local lakes. James knows about a second less popular lake and Amelia is suitably impressed, but when the pair notice a mostly hidden route to get to a third completely unknown lake things take a turn.
This third lake is a bit odd and a bit smelly, but the most strange part is that they suddenly realize they are paddling right over the top the roof of a house. Knowing nothing about the house or the lake, they decide to free dive down to explore. Soon their days are spent exploring the house and its not entirely natural nature.
This is one of those stories that you finish and wonder… wait, what did I just read? This is not one of those stories that I think will be for everyone. That said, I did enjoy the reading experience. I had a lot of questions while reading this one. I questioned the teens’ sanity in just diving down to the bottom of a lake and entering a house without oxygen or anyone knowing where they were. I also questioned how their obsession with the house didn’t leave their families or their jobs to wonder what they were doing with themselves! I also had a lot of questions about the nature of the house and its origins. This isn’t a book that is going to answer all of your questions.
I saw a lot of reviews that said that this isn’t horror. I would disagree with that. It definitely is more slow burn creepy horror and I suppose it depends on what you’re looking for in your horror. To me, the idea of being inside a dark house, under water and isolated brought enough of a creepy factor that I don’t think the “horror” label was misapplied.
This was a quick, creepy read, but one that definitely still left me wondering!
Reading Challenge Categories:
#AroundtheYearin52Books – a book with six or more words in the title
DG Reads 