Homebody

by Orson Scott Card
Homebody cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Gothic
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  • ID: 6433
  • Added: 2025-11-16
  • Updated: 2025-11-16
  • ISBN: 9780062281425
  • Publisher: Harper Collins
  • Published: 2013-03-05
  • Reviews: 3

Don Lark, a man haunted by the tragic loss of his daughter, finds purpose in restoring dilapidated houses. In Greensboro, North Carolina, he takes on his biggest challenge yet—a century-old house with a troubled history. As he works on the house, he forms bonds with his neighbors and even the squatter he once wanted to evict. However, when he discovers an old tunnel in the cellar, the house's enchantments turn sinister, and Lark must fight for his life and the lives of those he's grown to care about. /n/n The house, with its rich history and dark secrets, becomes a character in its own right, challenging Lark's resilience and forcing him to confront his past. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a tragedy that mirrors his own, blurring the lines between his quest for redemption and the house's malevolent influence.

Reviews
Rachel Neumeier · Rachel Neumeier · 2014-11-14
enjoyable 4.00

The story is engaging and enjoyable, with a unique take on the haunted house trope. The pacing picks up quickly, making it a compelling read.

Rachel Neumeier found Homebody to be a really good story that she enjoyed reading. She appreciated the unique take on the haunted house genre, which made it stand out. The pacing of the novel was particularly noteworthy, as it quickly picked up and kept her engaged throughout. She also highlighted that the story was different from what she initially expected, adding to its appeal. Overall, Neumeier's experience with the book was positive, and she found it to be a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Okay, on the one hand, HOMEBODY was indeed a really good story and I definitely enjoyed reading it.

    I was right that it was a story that Card was really good at, and I enjoyed it a lot.

    It was a really good story, and I enjoyed reading it.

Audrey Podrey · Audrey Podrey · 2008-03-31
satisfying 3.75

The book starts off normally but quickly becomes an intriguing and satisfying read. It's a great choice for those looking for something different.

Audrey Podrey was glad she took a chance on Homebody, as it turned out to be a satisfying read. Initially, the book seemed normal, but it quickly became intriguing and held her interest. She appreciated the unique elements of the story and found it to be a great choice for readers looking for something different. Podrey's overall experience with the book was positive, and she enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns.

Quick quotes

    I'm glad i took a chance on Homebody.

    This was another random library selection.

    And it seems like a normal book at first.

Six Impossible Things · 2007-02-26
engaging 3.50

The storytelling is strong, but the character motivations fall short. The plot is engaging, but the characters could have been more developed.

The reviewer from Six Impossible Things praised Orson Scott Card's storytelling abilities, noting that his characterizations and plots are usually outstanding. However, in Homebody, the characters' motivations were found to be lacking, which slightly detracted from the overall experience. Despite this, the plot was engaging and kept the reviewer interested. They appreciated Card's skill in crafting the story but felt that the characters could have been more deeply developed to enhance the narrative.

Quick quotes

    Card is adept at storytelling.

    His characterizations and plots are usually way above the bar, but in this one, the characters' motivations ...

    It's a powerful tale of healing and redemption that skillfully balances supernatural horrors with spiritual uplift.

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