I can understand why this book is polarising. I imagine most readers will either love it and forgive it any shortcomings, or they will resoundingly dislike it and see every glaring problem with it.

I happened to have thoroughly enjoyed it. I love horror in all its literary and cinematic forms, and I knew at once to approach this novel as you would a contemporary horror like the Babadook. If I had hoped for a more conventional haunted house story, then I suspect I would have felt disappointed by it.

I know other reviews mention the number of things left unexplained, but I think that's what keeps the story from being cliched. Not knowing, the uncertainty, is what makes the end appropriate for the story. If everything had been explained, it would have felt too tidy and contrived.

I really enjoyed the writing and narration style, and I'll definitely be seeking out more titles by this author.