The Family Upstairs
A Novel
📘 About This Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A GOOD MORNING AMERICA COVER TO COVER BOOK CLUB PICK “Rich, dark, and intricately twisted, this enthralling whodunit mixes family saga with domestic noir to brilliantly chilling effect.” —Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author “A haunting, atmospheric, stay-up-way-too-late read.” —Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of None of This Is True comes another page-turning look inside one family’s past as
📖 Resumen
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is a gripping, multi-layered psychological thriller that unfolds across two timelines and several interconnected perspectives. The story begins on Libby Jones’s twenty-fifth birthday, when she receives a letter that reveals she is the sole beneficiary of a sprawling, dilapidated mansion in Chelsea. As she delves into her past to uncover why she was left the property, she discovers a dark, complex history involving her birth parents and a sinister cult-like family that took over the house decades prior. Interwoven with Libby’s present-day search for answers are the narratives of Lucy, an impoverished mother struggling to survive with her two children, and the remnants of the 'family' that once lived in the mansion. As the chapters oscillate between the past and present, Jewell masterfully peels back the layers of a tragic, toxic household dynamic. Years earlier, the house was inhabited by a charismatic but manipulative man named David Thorne, who exert
🎯 Lecciones clave
💬 Citas destacadas
"It’s amazing how easy it is to normalize the abnormal when you’re a child."
"The house was a living, breathing entity. It had a heartbeat. It had a soul. And it was hungry."
"He didn't just want us to love him. He wanted us to fear him, and he wanted us to need him. And he made sure we did all three."
"Some secrets are like stones in your pocket—they don't seem heavy at first, but over twenty-five years, they start to weigh you down until you can barely walk."
"We were all just trying to survive the madness in our own ways, and none of those ways were particularly pretty."
"You can spend a lifetime running from who you are, but the past has a funny way of catching up, usually right when you think you’ve finally reached safety."
⚖️ Pros y contras
✅ Pros
Highly atmospheric setting that enhances the feeling of dread.
Intricate, well-paced plot that keeps readers guessing until the end.
Strong character development, particularly regarding the psychology of the victims.
⚠️ Contras
The dark, disturbing subject matter may be too intense for some readers.
The complex structure and multiple perspectives can be confusing for those who prefer linear storytelling.
✍️ About the Author
Lisa Jewell (b. 1968) is a British author known for domestic suspense and psychological thriller novels, including 'The Family Upstairs' and 'Then She Was Gone'.
View all books →❓ Preguntas frecuentes
Is this book worth reading? +
Yes, it is highly regarded as one of Lisa Jewell’s best works for its pacing and haunting atmosphere.
How long does it take to read? +
The book is approximately 350-400 pages, taking the average reader about 5-8 hours to finish.
What is the main message? +
The story highlights the devastating impact of toxic environments and the resilience required to overcome a traumatic past.
