Haunted Houses

This insightful narrative follows three young women navigating the complexities of American girlhood in Haunted Houses, exploring their distinct struggles and identities.

In Haunted Houses, Lynne Tillman presents a sharp and unflinching exploration of American girlhood through the lives of three distinct young women. Jane navigates a turbulent home life, where her occasionally violent father recites the Gettysburg Address as a bedtime ritual. Emily, raised in a politically active household, grapples with her parents' expectations while they privately question her normalcy. Grace, on the other hand, lives in a world where her dolls come to life, and her mother shows a preference for animals over human connections.

The narrative delves into the complexities of growing up, as Tillman deftly examines the various inheritances that shape these girls' identities—family dynamics, societal pressures, and cultural expectations. Each character's journey is marked by a struggle against or acceptance of these influences, illustrating the often tumultuous path to womanhood. The author’s prose is both uncanny and precise, capturing the essence of their experiences with remarkable clarity.

Ultimately, Haunted Houses is not just about the individual stories of these girls; it’s a broader commentary on the interplay of private memories and public history. Tillman’s bold and trenchant writing invites readers to reflect on the past's inescapable presence in the lives of these young women, making it a poignant exploration of what it means to grow up in America.