The Ghost Writer by John Harwood is a modern gothic novel that follows the story of Gerard Freeman as he delves into the mystery of his mother's past and unearths dark secrets best left buried. The narrative is interspersed with Victorian ghost stories written by Gerard's grandmother, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the plot. The book is described as a wonderfully literary ghost story with a captivating atmosphere that keeps readers hooked until the end, despite some mixed opinions on the ending itself.

Characters:

The characters are complex and flawed, with Gerard being introspective and shaped by familial secrecy, and Alice serving as a symbol of hope and mystery.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is gothic and atmospheric, skillfully merging contemporary narrative with Victorian-style ghost storytelling through various forms such as letters and diaries.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Gerard, a boy raised in Australia, who seeks to uncover his mother's mysterious past and family secrets, intertwined with ghost stories that shape his understanding of reality.

Setting:

The settings oscillate between a small Australian town and a mysterious English estate, enhancing the gothic atmosphere and tying into the central mystery.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow, focusing on character development, but accelerates in the latter half as the mystery deepens and tension rises.

I FIRST SAW THE PHOTOGRAPH ON A HOT JANUARY AFTERnoon in my mothers bedroom. She was asleep-so I thought-in the sunroom at the other end of the house. I crept in through the half-open door, enjoying t...

Notes:

The main character, Gerard Freeman, is a lonely boy from a strict family living in Australia.

Gerard finds a mysterious photograph and manuscript in his mother's bedroom that leads him to question her past.

He develops a long-distance pen friendship with Alice, a girl from England who is confined to a wheelchair.

The story includes ghost tales written by Gerard's great-grandmother, which intertwine with his own life and his mother's secrets.

Gerard's mother is very secretive about her past in England, especially concerning a place called Staplefield.

The novel is described as a modern gothic tale with a suspenseful, creepy atmosphere.

Gerard's quest to uncover his mother's hidden life takes him to England after her death.

The book features themes of love, exploration, and dark family secrets.

Readers note that the novel is structured with stories within a story, creating a complex narrative.

The ending is frequently critiqued for being abrupt and unsatisfying, though the rest of the book is generally well-received.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains content warnings for themes of domestic abuse, psychological trauma, and mentions of death.

Has Romance?

The novel presents a high level of romance, primarily showcased through the evolving relationship between Gerard and his pen friend Alice.

From The Publisher:

A tantalizing tale of suspense and family secrets that weaves Victorian ghost stories into the present-where they start to come true

Timid, solitary librarian Gerard Freeman lives for just two things: his elusive pen pal Alice and a story he found hidden in his mother's drawer years ago. Written by his great-grandmother Viola, it hints at his mother's role in a sinister crime. And as he discovers more of Viola's chilling tales, he realizes that they might hold the key to finding Alice and unveiling his family's mystery-or will they bring him the untimely death they seem to foretell?

Harwood's astonishing, assured debut shows us just how dangerous family skeletons-and stories-can be.

Ratings (5)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (13):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (3)

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About the Author:

John Harwood is the author of two previous novels of Victorian Gothic suspense. Aside from fiction, his published work includes biography, poetry, political journalism and literary history. His acclaimed first novel, The Ghost Writer, won the International Horror Guild's First Novel Award. He lives in Hobart, Australia.

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The Ghost Writer

John Harwood