BOOK REVIEW: Heap House by Edward Carey ★★★☆☆

Edward Carey is a novelist, visual artist and playwright including; Observatory Mansions (with author's illustrations) sold in 14 countries, Alva and Irva The Twins Who Saved A City, was longlisted for the IMPAC Literary Award in 2005. Plus he’s written several adaptations for the stage, including Patrick Süskind’s The Pigeon, and Robert Coover’s Pinocchio in Venice.

I can say, hands down, this is an odd book, with odd names and odd themes. There is this Burtonesque and Lemony Snicket vibe uplifting from the pages. Now you can add Careyesque to it.

Every child born to the Iremonger family is given a birth object that they must carry with them their entire lives. So you’d be unlucky if it was a mantelpiece as you can’t leave the room. The protagonist, Clod Iremonger is an odd one, not because his birth object is a bath plug that fits perfectly in his pocket, but because he can hear his object call out a name ‘Henry James Hayward’. But not just his, but every EVERY object in his house, Heap House, that’s built on London’s unwanted items. Nobody else hears the names and nobody knows what would happen if they lost their birth object. But a good guess would be that it won't be good.

The book starts with the first person narrative of Clod Iremonger and how his aunt Rosamud misplaces her door handle, also known as ‘Alice Higgs’. Because of his special ability (that other members of the family don’t usually warm up to) is he overwhelmed when he is surrounded by too many objects. His only friend is his cousin Tummis and his uncle Dr. Aliver. When he enters manhood, by wearing full trousers and not really set on marrying his betrothed cousin Pinalippy, he wonders quite often the idea of visiting London. Then in an alternative pattern of chapters, another first-person narrative of newcomer Lucy Pennant takes place. She is an orphan, a distant relative and has been brought home to join the ranks of servants who look after the house. Known as a Lower Iremonger, she can’t mix with the Upper Iremongers. Alas when Clod and Lucy meet they find themselves embroiled in a set of strange events and life at Heap House will never quite be the same again.

What I like about the book are how the characters have unusual names; Clod, Tummis, Moorcus, etc. and how their birth objects fits their personalities. The unusual name has to have an unusual setting, like a strange and twisted version of London that’s built on a giant rubbish heap. Thus the name Heap House becomes a character in its own right, which many constant shifts and turns, because the Iremonger family live in a huge house in the middle of the Heap, the house is made up of bits and pieces of all different kinds of buildings and it's the kind of place you could spend weeks exploring and still never uncover all of its secrets. My interpretation is that the Iremongers scavenge through the Heap looking for useful items which they upcycle. What made me cringe a bit was that the family is very insular and always marry within the family (there are a huge amount of second, third and fourth cousins to choose from) and even the servants must have some Iremonger blood in them. They just don't allow strangers to visit their home.

Seems childish to say, but I adore it when authors either illustrate or partner up with an illustrator. It’s the main reason why I have Stewart and Riddle’s Edge Chronicles series on my shelf. It’s just fascinating to see the book come to life. And what better way for Carey to demonstrate his artistic side by providing the beginning of each chapter with a portrait of the Iremongers’ and other members of staff.

It’s one of those books that you have to read from the beginning and are willing to have a spark of imagination, but it’s hard to believe it’s a book for ten years old because I saw a swear word on page 345. Is that right?

I had some snags with this one. I felt like skipping some of the pages. It doesn’t help when some pages are just a wall of words with no paragraphs and sometimes (see page 206 and 326) Carey just lists things and just feels endless. Seriously, like I think he could have cut out a hundred pages or so. I’m more relieved when another character is given more focus in a form of a doctor’s entry or a cooking recipe. Even though I do love the gothic feel and illustrations, I feel that Carey didn’t hit the nail on the whole romance aspect. Clod and Lucy – boy meets girl factor seemed rushed like they had to be together for the sake of plot movement.

I’m giving this a three and a half stars because although it’s not a bad book, I just feel like it was unnecessary LONG. Some of the stuff could have been cut out by like 100 pages or so. However, if you are searching for an unusual book, then give Heap House a try.

Rating 3.5/5
Publishers: Hot Key Books
First Published: September 5th 2013
Second Publication Date: August 7th 2014
Genre: YA/ Gothic/Fantasy/Alternative History