This book was not at all what I was expecting, which wound up being a mostly good thing. There were some shocks in the storyline, which impressed me. The book was absolutely heartbreaking and disturbing, which it is supposed to be, but it was compelling and kept me reading. I really felt for Ellie and Wyatt, and it killed me to see the pain and trauma they went through with an abusive father. This book dealt well with the problems that it brought up. A very specific reader needed for this book, since it is pretty depressing all around. “The Boarding House” is a deeply disturbing, yet compelling, novel about a family which exudes dysfunctionality (an equal-opportunity pedophilic father, a mentally fragile and ultimately suicidal mother). But Author Sharon Sala does not revel in the mire of the dysfunction-rather she creates a character who, in the midst of a really sorry and unhappy life, still maintains a sense of self, and a desire to improve her life. Frankly, I found Ellie amazing, and her twin Wayne also. Even as a small child, Wayne stood up for his sister, to an extreme point, both striking out against the molesting father, and also repeatedly subjecting himself to the punishing rather than allowing Daddy to hurt Ellie yet again.This novel may not be for all readers-some will inevitably be triggered by situations, even though Ms. Sala never details the abuse; but it is still worth the reading. I believe this is one of those novels that will be a long time in erasing itself from my memory. Author Sala has written and published prolifically, and as usual, never lets her readers down.
What do You think about The Boarding House (2012)?
Can't say much without giving the book away, but this is definitely worth the read.
—ValenDallasta
Not to be read if you are looking for light reading.This book leaves me speechless.
—chinky
kind of dark, but a good read with an unexpected twist
—Jane
If the Lifetime movie channel wrote a book...
—Reshmigha
