An Intriguing Haunted House Tale

Alix E. Harrow’s latest novel, ‘Starling House,’ offers a captivating blend of southern gothic fantasy and social commentary, enveloped in beautiful prose. The story revolves around Opal McCoy, a 26-year-old narrator who has been haunted by dreams of the titular house since childhood. Harrow’s descriptions are both evocative and haunting, creating a vivid atmosphere from the outset. Early in the novel, Opal recounts a dream, stating, ‘I often wake up with the taste of river water and blood in my mouth, broken glass in my hair, a scream drowning in my chest.’ This vivid imagery sets the tone for the eerie narrative that follows.

A Complex and Driven Protagonist

Opal McCoy is a resilient and determined heroine, compelled by her harsh circumstances. She works tirelessly at Tractor Supply Company to save money for her younger brother Jasper’s education. Their mother died under mysterious circumstances, and without a father figure, they live in a dilapidated motel room in Eden, Kentucky. Opal’s desperation to escape the dying town, dominated by the looming presence of Gravely Power, adds a layer of urgency and determination to her character.

The Enigmatic Arthur Starling and Starling House

The plot thickens when Opal takes a job cleaning for Arthur Starling, the reclusive owner of Starling House. Arthur’s odd demeanor intrigues Opal, even as she is coerced by Elizabeth Baine, a representative of Gravely Power, to spy on him. The tension between Opal and the power company offers rich social commentary, further explored through Harrow’s clever use of a fabricated Wikipedia page for Eleanor Starling, a 19th-century author linked to the house. This backdrop provides a multi-layered narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.

Unraveling the Mysteries

As Opal delves deeper into the secrets of Starling House, she navigates through various conflicting stories involving its past inhabitants. Harrow masterfully weaves layers of intrigue, making it challenging to discern truth from fiction. Opal’s observations highlight this ambiguity: ‘The Gravelys are either victims or villains; Eleanor Starling is either a wicked woman or a desperate girl. Eden is either cursed, or merely getting its comeuppance.’ The narrative is rife with suspense and revelation, drawing readers into its richly plotted world.