Book Review: The Family Upstairs

By Jessica Oravec

What would you do, if, as a child, your parents invited someone to stay at your house for a few days because you had so much room? And then, what if that person became a permanent resident, bringing along her boyfriend and another family as well? And then began to take over your home? This is the premise to Lisa Jewells The Family Upstairs.

The story begins with 25-year-old Libby, who has just been informed that she has inherited the home of her biological family. As she digs deeper into the history of the home, she learns about the tragedy that happened there: the suicide of her parents and another man, along with a note asking that someone care for her, a baby.

Rumors abound about what occurred in that house. Told by three narrators Libby, Lucy, and Henry we learn what happened: how visitors came to stay and slowly began to take over, how the adults of the house were convinced to give up their possessions, and how more rules were imposed until, eventually, everyone was a prisoner.

The Family Upstairs is about manipulation and charisma. It is a detailed account of how people slowly give up their freedoms when someone tells them what is best. It is a reminder that all is not what it seems, and that some will go to great lengths to get what they want and to save what they love.

Lisa Jewell has written a fascinating novel of family, betrayal, and what it takes to survive. In this fast-paced page-turner, readers will find themselves wanting to know more about what happened as well as if the characters really are who they say they are.