Book Review: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

Book Review: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell (2019) (Psychological Thriller) 4 Stars ****

Libby has just turned twenty-five years old when she receives a life-changing letter informing her that she just inherited a multi-million dollar family estate on the River Thames in Chelsea, England from none other than her deceased parents whose mysterious deaths led to her adoption, at ten months old, by a loving but virtually penniless couple. Determined to discover the truth surrounding her birth, the deaths of her biological parents, and the whereabouts of her siblings, Libby plays detective with the help of a handsome, also single investigative journalist.

The main narrator starts off by telling readers how the addition of one  group of people can have a far-reaching effect on the lives of others. “It was them, draining the house, like vampires, of all of its decent energy, of all of its love and life and goodness, draining it all for themselves, feasting on our misery and our broken spirits.”

The story is told from the points of view of three characters: Libby, Lucy, and Henry. Libby’s relationship to Lucy and Henry is slowly revealed as  we also are introduced to the other hapless players in the family drama. Believe me, there’s not one honest, likable character in this motley crew of too many characters with too many relationships with too many secrets and too many flaws. It’s hard to discuss the storyline without spoiling the plot points that are sprung on not so unsuspecting readers. It would seem the author means to surprise us with certain information, but I figured a lot of it out it almost before the author did, as it would seem.

Psychological thriller? At no time was I concerned for the safety or well-being of the characters. Just as the characters were not able to form close attachments with one another, these characters did not engage my concern or emotional involvement. Their story was told mostly in narrative resembling a newspaper account, removing the urgency and emotional turmoil of their dire situations. Intellectually, I was disturbed, but emotionally, I remained largely unaffected.

We are reminded of how we cannot escape the memories of our childhoods. In reality, despite how we may struggle to push it all to the back of our minds or pour our hearts out to therapists, those early life-shaping experiences dictate our perceptions of ourselves and do not go away. We can temporarily forget by removing ourselves physically from that location and the people who witnessed our truth.  It doesn’t ake much to bring it all back.

If you like to read about how master manipulators use power plays to insinuate themselves into their victim’s lives and how the weak allow themselves to be swallowed whole until nothing exists of their individuality, then you will appreciate this book.

 

Please let me know your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.net

I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.

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