The Uninvited Guests: A Novel

Read some good reviews bout this book, so I decided to give it a try. Started off pretty well but quickly disintegrated into weird, disjointed and not engaging. Pushed through to the end - mediocre at best. Life is too short to ready crappy books.

I read great reviews, the book jacket blurb seemed promising. But this story, which does contain some interesting passages, including some Austenesque and Hitchcockian vibes, devolves into implausible, inane silliness. The characters, particularly the women, are boring, spoiled, and vapid. (I never understand female authors who write their female main characters this way-are we not trying to advance as a gender?) I usually do not include spoilers in my reviews, but in the case I can't help mention my disappointment in the characters that turn out to be ghosts. I advise skipping this one-too many excellent books-too little time to read them all-don't waste time on this one!

It's interesting to see the range of reviews here. People have strong opinions about this book, for sure!

I'm in the "loved it" camp. The plot and characters and yes, the house itself, all drew me in as the author slowly reveals what is really happening during a time span of about a day in a Downton Abbey-like household that is facing financial peril.

The plot is centered around a 20th birthday party for Emerald, the elder daughter of Charlotte Swift, the annoying chatelaine of Sterne, a large country manor described in enticing detail. As the family and guests gather for an elaborate dinner prepared by the vastly overworked kitchen staff of two (a third has neglected to show up to assist), word arrives that there has been a serious train wreck nearby and that a number of passengers are on their way to stay at the house. This is where the fun or perhaps the wierdness begins.

Sadie Jones is a wonderful author. The details of the era- the food, the clothes, the decor, the manners, the housekeeping, the class distinctions, the speech- are all authentically and beautifully presented. This is not a sanitized picture- there is plenty of dirt, sweat, and odor- indeed, all the senses are appealed to in this book, as is the range of emotions. Your mind is also engaged in interpreting the rapid pace of events and their meanings. As some have written, this story is a roller-coaster ride provoking reactions from amusement to horror.

Give this book a try. If you don't like it, put it down. If you do, it will grip you until the end and afterwards!

It is no surprise that this book has already received mixed reviews and I believe, like with most novels, it depends on the perspective of the reader - including what we refer to as 'expectations' by readers of the text. It's all in the approach. Nothing could be truer than when applied to this particular book. The structure alludes to the easy adaptation to a screenplay or dinner theater. It does deliver everything that is promised, but perhaps not in the exciting fashion the reader might hope for. The author's approach is likely influenced by the classical set-ups from previous authors that have mastered the traditional early century eccentric life in the country side. Purposefully, the sluggish beginning demonstrates the domestic boredom of the middle to upper class. Similar to Virginia Woolfe's, Mrs. Dalloway, The Uninvited Guests, ticks away at the hours where nothing much and everything all at once happens. Also, the house is a breathing character as well as setting, much like The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. For these reasons, classical stylists will appreciate the structure and care given to the book. Parts do fall on the ridiculous and could be viewed as tragi-comedy, but in my opinion fail, and lean more towards mean-spirited in order to create tension or excitement. However, the shenanigans fizzle, which leads me to the other result of this book. The creeping pace lends to the anti-climatic feeling even when coupled with a great mystery and where a Gothic macabre setting exists. The Uninvited Guests has 'Goethe' potential, but does not pull off the chilling haunt that is likely anticipated, and for that reason loses the interest and subsequently the rating stars from reviewers.

I loved this book. The atmosphere is great, there is a real sense of being in a manor house, snobbish Caroline, working-class railroad guests and it reads just like a book written in the era itself. I also loved the supernatural feel of the story - what's real and what isn't?

The quirkyness of the story is great too: the mother who doesn't care about most things, the farmer who is richer than the manor house owners, the problems phoning the railway for information, a horse that is brought into the house, the dinner games that are played and so much more.

It was beautifully written but still a fast read. I mentally chuckled all the way through the book.

Terrible.

The only other book I can recall reading that caused a similar level of aversion after reading was Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes.

I read the other reviews and will only add when a book, at its most climactic and suspenseful, causes me not to gasp with surprise but laugh so heartily with the absurdity and incredulity of it all that my husband, in another room of our house, comes in to inquire as to its cause, it's a stinker.

Honestly, I don't know what relationship Sadie Jones and/or her publisher has with NPR (and other reputable book review sites, reportedly), but they've got the last laugh on us all with this tripe being proclaimed a "delicious read" and a "brilliant novel".

Hey, NPR, next time you call me during one of your endless fundraising drives, I am going to ask YOU for money to reimburse me the cost of this weak book. It's the least you can do after recommending such drivel.

I admire authors who decide to write in a different style, it can be quite a gamble for them, especially if their previous books have been successful.
Sadie Jones has definitely changed her style for The Uninvited Guests, and sadly it really doesn't work for me. I loved her debut; The Outcast, I wasn't as keen on Small Wars, her second, and really did not like this one at all.
Billed as a ghost story and set in 1912, the story features an upper-class family who are at risk of losing their home. The daughter of the house is celebrating her 20th birthday and guests are expected.
The guest arrive and with them come the 'uninvited guests', after an awful train accident during the journey.
I found the main characters quite bland, and was totally unable to relate to or warm to any of them. The plot line was weak and to be frankly honest, uninteresting and bored me.
I do find it difficult to criticise any author, after all, I'm no writer and couldn't write a short story let alone a novel, but as a reader, this really did nothing for me.

I got this book after a favorable review on NPR. I'm not often let down by NPR, but this book was very difficult to get through. The writing was fine and often clever, and there is one charming sub-story, but in the end I felt as though I finished the book principally so that I could write an honest review. The characters were (mostly) forgettable and the story fails as both a comedy of manners and a ghost story. Plot twists are easily foreseen and then, when the reveals finally come, they are more annoying than intriguing. Although not a large volume, the tale could have been more compellingly told in half the number of pages. All in all, this book quickly became a chore.

I spent a long time wondering where the author was trying to go with this book, and I never quite figured it out... it's just interesting enough to keep me reading (i don't like to give up on a book unless it's really truly terrible), but I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable, and I felt there could have been better character development. The repeated misspellings of "hoard" where the author clearly meant "horde" (to describe a group of people) became rather distracting as well. All in all, an ambitious plot with an intriguing premise that fell a bit flat for this reader.

What a fascinating book! It starts out like a dysfunctional Downton Abbey, but soon goes off the tracks, both literally and figuratively. Sadie Jones' writing is superb, both lyrical and witty. I chose this for our book club, so I read it twice: once to to enjoy the page-turner of a plot, and then a slower read to savor the language and clever writing. Rereading the book fostered lively discussions about characters' names, motives, and relationships, as well as about setting, food, and the hidden meanings in the novel.

I started this bizarre novel hoping the narrative voice might resemble Ronald Firbank. A few pages in, I thought it was going to be more like P G Wodehouse. Nope. I had no way of knowing it would eventually become M Night Shyamalan, and that is not a compliment.

The setting is promising: a country house party in pre-WWI England with witty guests. But there's a train wreck nearby and they are forced to take in some survivors--to feed and shelter them. Then things take a terrible turn.

The characters should be more memorable, the dialogue wittier, the vivid detail more colorful. But the bizarre plot twists are...well...bizarre. I could not go along with them. The author lost me completely with this genre mash-up. I'm sure (if forced to) we could come up with all sorts of interpretations about the symbolism and the hidden meaning, and real explanations for what is going on, but I just wasn't interested.

After reading more than half the book, I finally had to quit. It just never go going. Some books have a slow start but draws you in after a couple of chapters. For me, this was not one of those books.

Do not believe the reviews or cover jacket for this book! What is described as a a "shimmering comedy of manners" and an "amusing Edwardian country house romp" with a touch of sinister and dark secrets, is in reality a dull, poorly written book with such obvious plot contrivances that I had the ending figured out as soon as the "uninvited guests" arrived. There is absolutely no logic or build up to the ridiculous ending and everyone behaves pretty abominably to each other while the reader plods on, waiting for something worthwhile to happen. The ending wasn't "surprising" or "astonishing" and I was literally groaning with dissapointment as I read it. I actually laughed while reading the climatic scene in Charlotte's bedroom. The writer's attempts to make this scene seem horrifying are a joke. This couldn't scare a 5 year old. This is possibly the worst book I've ever read.

The plot was clever, but thin. None of the characters were sympathetic. By the end, I just wanted a quick resolution that made sense. I did not get it. Instead, the author chose a supernatural out. I guess she got tired of the whole thing too.

Terrible.

The only other book I can recall reading that caused a similar level of aversion after reading was Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes.

I read the other reviews and will only add when a book, at its most climactic and suspenseful, causes me not to gasp with surprise but laugh so heartily with the absurdity and incredulity of it all that my husband, in another room of our house, comes in to inquire as to its cause, it's a stinker.

Honestly, I don't know what relationship Sadie Jones and/or her publisher has with NPR (and other reputable book review sites, reportedly), but they've got the last laugh on us all with this tripe being proclaimed a "delicious read" and a "brilliant novel".

Hey, NPR, next time you call me during one of your endless fundraising drives, I am going to ask YOU for money to reimburse me the cost of this weak book. It's the least you can do after recommending such drivel.

Unfortunately, I purchased this book after hearing a review on NPR. I put a great deal of faith in the good people at NPR but they didn't come through for me this time. The novel was very short and I had the ending figured out in the first few pages. Unlike most reviewers it didn't bother me at all that the characters were not sympathetic; I found them amusing. I objected to the simplistic plot line.

This was so enjoyable and had moments combining the ghoulish and the hilarious!
I was never quite sure where the story was headed and was surprised at the ending...
a bit of the supernatural that I was not anticipating. Being a horseowner, I was
laughing out loud as I was reading the portion dealing with getting that pony
up the grand staircase and into the bedroom and then trying to keep her happy!

I started this book three times before slogging through to the ending. It never really grabbed my interest and I had to force myself to keep reading. The main characters, mom-Charlotte, and her grown children Emerald and Clovis are snobby, rude and self-involved. They leave the reader with no one to root for. The book describes Emerald's twentieth birthday party. Unfortunately survivors from a local train crash show up seeking shelter and completely derail the revelry. The plot then becomes a variation on an often told ghost story. There were no real surprises as the characters become more callous, and the story itself was very slow moving. I couldn't help but feeling there may have not been enough material for a full novel. Once the ending does come around, it's unsatisfying.

I enjoyed reading the book, which was my book club's selection. It kept my interest and had a good mix of fantasy and reality. I was disappointed with the book's condition, which was listed as "Like New". It is warped as though it were dropped in a bucket of water. The seller was not forthright.

If you like Three Stooges like slapstick humor, you might like this book. If you prefer a well written novel with fully developed characters and an engaging plot, don't waste your money. This is an awful book.

I really enjoyed this novel. It has historical detail (which I love), well-written characters, and some spooky paranormal aspects! Definitely an enjoyable read, especially if you are tucked up by a warm fireplace on a rainy day...

This is my second Sadie Jones novel (I've also read The Outcast) and I think she's a very clever writer, using small details to create drama.

The first third of the book I enjoyed greatly. I found much of the second two thirds difficult to follow. While I appreciated the comedy of manners, the supernatural section and the business of the horse were a bit much for me. I found the happily ever after ending a bit disappointing.

Loved it. I was taken for a wonderful journey back in time, you could live the moment, actually a little exhausted at the end of the evening. The entire book described an event that lasted one long evening/weekend. The characters were all so beautifully created. Quite a smart plot. Would live to see this as a movie.

A simple birthday party for Emerald, beloved daughter, a fair fete, due to the family's potential change in circumstances, a sense of doom hovering like an uninvited guest. A small gathering of friends and family, suddenly disrupted by, well, uninvited guests! Quite uninviting, they are, as well, a veritable hoard, appearing as if from nowhere, not hovering, but overwhelming the dinner party with their needs and wants and very presence. What follows is a long and spirited evening that no one present will ever forget. The novel is a fun, Victorian sort of romp, with all the trimmings, from lost fortune, crumbling family house in the country, eccentric little sister, and two gents competing for the only available, but fortunately charming and lovely young woman nearby. Clever, though. And worth the cliches.

The plot was clever, but thin. None of the characters were sympathetic. By the end, I just wanted a quick resolution that made sense. I did not get it. Instead, the author chose a supernatural out. I guess she got tired of the whole thing too.

I fell in love with this eccentric family and their old, wonderful house right away. The characters were so well developed that I had a great feeling of knowing them all very well, and liking most, but not all. At times hilarious and at times offensive, with lots of commentary regarding class and "proper place", the underlying tone was creepy from the beginning. This was an up and down, all's well that ends well type of tale, but it took a few pages to draw me in. The sinister tones took a while to completely develop, but when they came across, the book was quite gothic. If you are looking for something a little different, try this one!

On Emerald's birthday there are some unexpected guests, passengers from a railroad accident who show up at their country house for shelter. Some of the guests are childhood friends but one of the "uninvited guests" has an ulterior motive for the visit.