In Christopher Golden’s latest supernatural thriller, “The House of Last Resort,” the author masterfully weaves together the allure of small-town Italian life with a deeply unsettling horror narrative. The result is a haunting exploration of faith, evil, and the price of uncovering long-buried secrets.
Setting: Where Old World Meets Dark Forces
The story unfolds in Becchina, a dying hilltop town in Sicily that serves as more than just a backdrop – it’s a character in its own right. Golden’s portrayal of the town’s crumbling beauty and its inhabitants’ complex relationship with tradition creates a rich tapestry against which this horror story plays out. The author’s detailed descriptions of narrow cobblestone streets, ancient churches, and sun-bleached buildings effectively establish both the romantic appeal that draws the protagonists and the sinister undertones that will come to haunt them.
Plot Synopsis: A Dream Home Becomes a Nightmare
Tommy and Kate Puglisi, a young American couple, seize the opportunity to buy a house in Becchina for one euro, part of the mayor’s initiative to revitalize the dying town. For Tommy, it’s a chance to reconnect with his Italian roots through his grandparents. For Kate, it represents an escape from the rat race of American life. However, their dream quickly transforms into a nightmare as they discover their new home’s dark history—a former site of Vatican exorcisms where countless “hopeless cases” met their end.
Character Development: Strength in Relationships
One of the novel’s strongest aspects is the authentic portrayal of Tommy and Kate’s relationship. Their love feels genuine, their conflicts believable, and their reactions to the escalating horror natural. Golden excels at showing how their bond both strengthens and strains under supernatural pressure.
Writing Style: Atmospheric but Occasionally Uneven
Golden’s prose shines brightest in his atmospheric descriptions and tension-building sequences. His ability to create a sense of mounting dread is remarkable, particularly in scenes involving the catacombs and the mysterious rats that serve as vessels for ancient evil.
However, the pacing occasionally suffers from exposition-heavy passages, particularly when explaining the house’s history and the mechanics of possession. While this information is crucial to the plot, its delivery sometimes interrupts the story’s momentum.
Strengths:
- Vivid sense of place and atmosphere
- Strong character dynamics, especially between Tommy and Kate
- Effective blending of supernatural horror with cultural elements
- Creative use of Italian setting and folklore
- Compelling exploration of faith and evil
Areas for Improvement:
- Pacing issues in the middle section
- Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped
- Certain plot elements could be better foreshadowed
- The resolution feels somewhat rushed
- Some supernatural elements could be more clearly explained
Notable Elements
The Architecture of Horror
Golden’s use of physical spaces – the house, the chapel, the catacombs – creates layers of horror that work on both psychological and supernatural levels. The house itself becomes a metaphor for the characters’ descent into darkness, with each new discovery pulling them deeper into danger.
Cultural Integration
The author’s integration of Italian culture, Catholic mythology, and modern sensibilities is mostly successful, though occasionally relies on familiar tropes. The tension between old-world superstition and contemporary skepticism provides an effective framework for the horror elements.
Comparative Analysis
While “The House of Last Resort” shares DNA with other works in the possession/haunted house genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique setting and cultural context. Readers familiar with Golden’s previous works like “Road of Bones” and “Ararat” will recognize his talent for integrating supernatural horror with specific cultural and historical contexts.
Impact and Resonance
The novel’s themes of family legacy, faith, and the price of ambition resonate beyond its horror elements. Golden raises interesting questions about the nature of evil and redemption, though some readers might find the religious aspects heavy-handed.
Final Verdict
“The House of Last Resort” is an ambitious horror novel that largely succeeds in its goals, despite some minor flaws. Golden’s skill at creating atmosphere and developing central relationships carries the story through its occasional rough patches.
Recommendation
This book is recommended for:
- Fans of supernatural horror with religious themes
- Readers who enjoy haunted house stories with a twist
- Those interested in Italian culture and folklore
- Followers of Christopher Golden’s previous work
Not recommended for:
- Readers who prefer subtle horror
- Those sensitive to religious themes
- People looking for pure psychological thriller
- Readers who dislike possession narratives
Conclusion
“The House of Last Resort” represents a solid addition to Christopher Golden’s bibliography. While it may not reach the heights of his best work, it offers enough unique elements and genuine scares to satisfy horror fans. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its ability to make readers question what they would sacrifice for their dreams—and what price they might pay for ignoring the warnings of those who came before.
Human. Engaging. Scary. These three words aptly describe Golden’s latest offering. Despite its flaws, the novel succeeds in creating a memorable horror experience that will likely leave readers checking their own homes for unexplained noises long after they’ve finished the final page.