The Red House

I read The Red House by Mark Haddon.  Mark Haddon also wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.  This novel is about a brother who invites his estranged sister and her family to join him, his new wife, and his step-daughter to spend a week in a rented farmhouse out in the English countryside.  The story voice changes from person to person which can be confusing.  Also confusing are the brief episodes of stream on consciousness writing where the author strings together random words that are not in sentences.  This isn't the kind of book where you carefully understand each and every sentence.  This book is one where the reader has to accept some confusion and just trust that somehow things will make sense as the book goes along.  It worked for me.  The character of 8 year old Benjy was my favorite.  Benjy loves shopping for swords at the gift shop in town and also has fears for his parents and siblings.  He is adorable.  The three teenaged kids in farm house are interesting but less adorable.  The story is compelling but not the easiest to read.