The House in Paris

Dec 27, 2025 3:10 PM

Author:Elizabeth Bowen,Maia DeCamillo

The House in Paris

Brought to you by Penguin.

When eleven-year-old Henrietta arrives at the Fishers' residence in Paris, little does she know what fascinating secrets the house itself contains.

Henrietta finds that her visit coincides with that of Leopold, an intense child who has come to Paris to be introduced to the mother he has never known. In the course of a single day, the mystery surrounding Leopold, his parents, Henrietta's agitated hostess and the dying matriarch in bed upstairs, come to light slowly and tantalisingly.

Reviews

A compelling story, inspired with a deep insight into human nature

—— Times Literary Supplement

Her most atmospheric book . . . very eerie and richly descriptive

—— Daily Telegraph

It seems like [Bowen] is writing pretty conventional novels, they have chapters, they seem to be about recognizable people in recognizable situations, but the syntax of her sentences is completely baroque, they double back on themselves, they twist into cubist sculptures... She's someone who's had a huge influence on my work

—— Lauren Elkin , Paris Review

Boix... has attempted something that few poets dare and even fewer achieve - to write in an adopted language... [he] handles words like a beachcomber, relishing them and experimenting with combinations and visual arrangements

—— Angus Reid , Morning Star

A compelling tale uncovering a world of secrets, injustice and, for the lucky few, escape

—— Anne Griffin , author of When All is Said

Shimmering, beguiling and ruthless. A fizzing and assured debut

—— Colin Barrett

Sprawling and encompassing so many worlds, it's utterly gripping. Excellent.

—— Sophie White, author of Corpsing

Love this . . . a really fantastic read

—— Sinéad Moriarty

This page-turner is the debut offering from Cork writer O'Connell and the sign of great things to come from him

—— Irish Examiner

The opening chapter grabbed me right away . . . I'm gripped

—— The Art House, 96FM

An instantly gripping page-turner

—— Sunday Independent Life Magazine

From the first pages I knew I was in for a treat and the book delivered, over and over again

—— Books Ireland

A cast of characters you think you will know, trapped in a world you definitely won't. Illuminating, claustrophobic, addictive

—— Ciaran McMenamin

Wonderful depictions of life in Dubai and an intriguing, interwoven plot

—— Zoë Miller, author of The Perfect Sister

A literary thriller set in Dubai... O'Connell's debut does mainly reinforce the notion that expats are terribly entitled people but there's nuance in the few characters desperately seeking a better, more meaningful life.

—— Guardian

An enjoyable and unconventional thriller... readers will be hearing more from Jamie O'Connell, I've no doubt.

—— Sunday Times

An instantly gripping page-turner set around a death in Dubai.

—— Sunday Independent

Stunning... a tour de force.

—— Pat Kenny, The Pat Kenny Show (Newstalk)

Shout out Ciaran on the new book, everyone go cop that and take in the gems - real life issues being addressed. It's important to know that even though the book's called Cut Short your life don't have to be cut short, as long as you're breathing you got opportunities if you just focus and stay consistent

—— AM, rapper

This book strongly gives a voice to the voiceless . . . essential reading

—— Kenny Allstar, DJ

Takes us to the heart of London's street culture . . . more necessary than ever

—— Alistair Fraser , TLS

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