The Little House Paperback – October 1, 2010

One of the most satisfying, although suspenseful books I have read this year. Excellent story, so easy to identify with the main character who experience many of the feelings, frustrations we as women/wives experience on a regular basis. Sometimes you just feel to let it all go! On the other side a momma’s boy (and yes, we also known and experience some of them and their weaknesses…) It is so easy for people in power to pretend that they know better and to misuse that power to their sick and unjust benefit.But not this time. You do not mess with a mother when it comes to her child!

Philippa Gregory's "The Little House" tells the story of Ruth Cleary, an orphaned young woman of modest means who has married the only son of English gentry. Focused on his family, her husband Patrick is thrilled when his parents offer to purchase "the little house" which is within walking distance of their own home. Apprehensive about leaving the city and living within Elizabeth Cleary's (Patrick's mother) sphere of influence, Ruth still agrees to the plan. It is only when she and Patrick move in with his parents during the renovation of "The Little House" that Ruth's troubles come to the forefront. The process by which she resolves her issues and solve her problems is a fascinating psychological journey.Philippa Gregory has done it again - "The Little House" is a very good read, filled with interesting characters and nuanced situations. Unlike her historical novels, Gregory's more contemporary stories seem to focus on psychologically fragile women. Often, these women are orphaned or of "reduced circumstances." If you have read "Fallen Skies" or "A Respectable Trade," you will recognize this pattern. Like the women in these stories, Ruth Cleary eventually finds the strength to rectify her personal situation. The men these women marry have psychological issues of their own which precipitate events leading to various tragic conclusions. Always well-written, Philippa Gregory's novels draw the reader into the story; evoke emotional responses to both characters and situations; and result in the reader seeking her other books.While Gregory does bring different situations and characters into each novel, there is still a sameness pervading the books. "The Little House" seems to be another variation on a familiar pattern. It is for this reason that I rated this novel a 4-star book.

I had such a hard time putting this book down that I skipped bible study one night to finish it. This book is so clever. I don't know that I've ever read anything like it before. It's not just the originality that I loved. It was the plausibility! I was so scared the whole time that the heroine would be put into such a sad state that the book would depress me but on the contrary, she is the victor in the end! The details are never too much to bear and I could see and hear everything and everyone in my mind's eye. This will not only go down as my favorite Philippa Gregory book of all time, but I would say it is probably one of my three favorite fiction books I've ever read. I wish I could de-star every other book I've ever reviewed because this one made them look like garbage. If you like page-turners and surprise-twist endings, get this book! I loved every page of it.

This story is about "Ruth" a wife married to a mentally abusive husband who is controlling, possessive, degrading, and a weakling to his controlling mother. His parents, her in-laws, were equally abusive in the manipulation and control of Ruth, her baby, and her husband, their son. They would go to unbelievable measure to keep Ruth 'locked' in her house and mind. I found myself becoming exacerbated with Ruth in that I would have found some way to escape her torture rather than endure it sooooooooooooo many times as she did. Never the less, Phillipa Gregory does a fantastic job in story telling, as she always does.

Wow, very different book for Gregory. "Psychological thriller," not so much. Woman dealing with warped childhood and then figuring out how to evade family that has latched on to her due to her learned docility. The way she escapes seems rather deus ex machina to me, but how she then becomes the dominatrix and the replacement of those she sought to overthrow is spooky--reminds me of my favorite scary film, "Burnt Offerings." Think I will stick with her wonderful historical fiction instead.

This was a great read. It kept my interest. I kept saying why don't you fight back. Surprise!

Philippa Gregory.... never a dull read. Highly recommend this book. I am not into telling you what the storyline or characters are about. The inside sleeve does that well enough. She is a very talented author and I have read many of her books. I recommend them all actually.

I always like Gregory's books. This one was not as good as some others.