Review: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell (2019 Release)

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
     Released: November 5, 2019
     Read from: 12/10/19-12/15/19
     Format: Print (Library- BOTM Choice: November 2019)
     My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
     Goodreads Rating: 4.03 stars

"Be careful who you let in.

Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she's been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am." -Atria Books

     This book intrigued me pretty quickly. I knew it was going to be a twisted book, however, from reviews I'd read, I expected it to be worse than I personally thought it was, and expected maybe a little more mystery. The story was told from different perspectives, and went back and forth between the past and present day. At first, it was a little confusing to keep track of who was who and how they were connected. But it had an interesting way of unfolding and giving me answers on certain subjects that I didn't really realize I was getting. Right when I was starting to think about something, the story would then bring the tid bit I had just learned into the story to tie things together and confirm what I was thinking. This happened repetitively which I thought was really interesting way of telling the story and drawing the reader in.

     The story opens with Libby finding out that she's inherited a massive house from her birth family in a rich area of London, and immediately sets out to learn more about her family. As she's uncovering things, we're following one of her family members in present day France, and learning from another family member what was happening in the past. These are the three points of view the story is told from.

     Without giving away too much, the house Libby inherits used to house a commune in a sense. One family lived there, and when the mother graciously invites a friend in while she's down on her luck, their lives change in a way that will set the tone for the rest of the story. Before they know it, a family of four has also moved in, and the father of this new family slowly takes over. The kids all become malnourished, can not leave the house, and eventually no longer own shoes, and are permitted to only wear black robes and leggings. Kids are locked in their room in isolation for punishment for days at a time. Their money is stolen, and all their things are taken away and they are told they these things are bring given to the poor. The original family of the house loses all control and becomes brainwashed by these new comers who literally took over. This messed up story culminates with the event of three adults in these black outfits being found dead on the kitchen floor due to a supposed suicide pact. It's creepy because 1) It's messed up and disgusting how these kids are treated and the adults who owned the house are brainwashed and left to waste away and 2) the type of thing you hear about happening to cults; people being brainwashed to think unhealthy habits and actions are for everyone's greater good.

     The real mystery that we are originally given is that the kids that lived in the house are all missing when the dead adults are found. All except one ten month old baby, who was obviously well cared for, who is found in a crib. Who is she? Where is she now? What became of the other kids? Why are the adults dead? And how twisted are the events that led up to this after all?

     Lots of people said they didn't see the ending coming. I am not sure what they were referring to. I thought it all tied together nicely in the end and wasn't that much of a shock. Unless they're referring to the entire resolution of the messed up things happening in the house. In that case, the ending isn't any more shocking than the entire story in my opinion.

     This is apparently Lisa Jewell's typical story style. Confusing, sick and twisted, unexpected, unrealistic and crazy, but not entirely unrealistic at the same time. People love her. This is my second book by her, and apparently it's the most twisted. I'm curious about the others, but in a way want MORE twisted than this. I was expecting more from this than what I got and I wonder if the less twisted ones will be a disappointment.

You can find more full review on my Goodreads page.