This House of Grief

by Helen Garner
This House of Grief cover
Good Books rating 4.23
True Crime
Technical:
  • ID: 647
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780553387438
  • Publisher: Pantheon
  • Published: 2023-10-10
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

On Father’s Day 2005, Robert Farquharson drove his three sons into a dam, resulting in their tragic deaths. The ensuing court case became a national obsession, with the public and media scrutinizing every detail. Helen Garner, a celebrated Australian writer, meticulously reconstructs the events, offering a profound exploration of the legal process and its impact on the community. Through multiple perspectives, including her own, Garner captures the emotional and psychological toll of the tragedy, providing a nuanced portrait of a man, a community, and the quest for closure. This House of Grief is not just a retelling of a crime; it is a masterful work of literary journalism that examines the flaws and spectacles of Australia’s criminal justice system. Garner’s incisive writing and keen observations make this a compelling read that transcends the boundaries of true crime, offering insights into human behavior and the search for truth.

Reviews
The New York Times · 2023-10-10
disturbing 4.00

Garner's style is laconic and wayward, reminiscent of other writers known for their art of artlessness. The book is a profound and disturbing exploration of a tragic event.

The reviewer notes that Garner's style is laconic and wayward, comparing it to other writers like Jean Rhys and Jane Bowles. They appreciate the art of artlessness in her writing, which adds to the book's profound and disturbing exploration of a tragic event. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling read that leaves a lasting impression, despite its unsettling nature. The focus on the courtroom drama and the emotional depth of the characters is particularly noted.

Quick quotes

    Garner's style is laconic and wayward, reminding me of other writers whose gift is the art of artlessness.

    A true-life account of three deaths and a trial that leaves you with a profound sense of unease.

    Disturbing questions about how we perceive and judge such events.

The Guardian · 2016-01-08
haunting 4.50

The account is impeccable and highly rated, capturing the complexity of a tragic trial. The writing is haunting and recorded without restraint, making it a compelling read.

This review highlights the impeccable nature of the account, which has gathered a significant following and is highly rated. The writing is described as haunting, with scenes recorded without restraint or censorship. The reviewer finds the book deeply moving and unsettling, capturing the complexity of the trial in a way that leaves a lasting impact. The reviewer appreciates Garner's ability to present the courtroom drama with a sense of realism and emotional depth.

Quick quotes

    This impeccable account of the trial of a father who murdered his children has gathered a following to become one of the most highly rated.

    This House of Grief has all the trademark Helen Garner touches: harrowing scenes recorded without restraint or censorship.

    Touching observations that make the book deeply unsettling and moving.

Sydney Review of Books · 2014-12-19
compelling 4.20

The book proceeds from Garner's first instinctive response, grounded in the idea that feeling is a kind of fact. It is a compelling and deeply moving account.

The reviewer highlights that the book proceeds from Garner's first instinctive response, emphasizing the idea that feeling is a kind of fact. This approach makes the account compelling and deeply moving. The reviewer appreciates Garner's ability to present the courtroom drama with emotional depth and realism. The book is seen as a profound exploration of a tragic event, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

Quick quotes

    This House of Grief proceeds from Garner's first instinctive response.

    All three books are grounded in the idea that to feel something is a kind of fact.

    A profound exploration of a tragic event that leaves a lasting impact.

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