📖 Overview
House of Darkness House of Light is Andrea Perron's memoir about her family's experiences living in a 1700s farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island during the 1970s. The book chronicles the supernatural events that occurred after the Perrons - parents Roger and Carolyn and their five daughters - moved into the historic property.
The author recounts her family's decade-long stay through detailed personal memories, incorporating research into the property's past inhabitants and local history. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren become involved in the case, leading to investigations that would later inspire "The Conjuring" film.
The narrative balances intimate family moments with accounts of unexplained phenomena, creating a portrait of a household attempting to maintain normalcy amid extraordinary circumstances. This first volume in Perron's trilogy raises questions about the intersection of the physical and spiritual worlds, and what it means to share a home with both the living and the dead.
👀 Reviews
Readers note the book provides extensive detail about the Perron family's experiences in the Rhode Island farmhouse, but many found the writing style challenging to follow.
Readers appreciated:
- First-hand account from someone who lived through the events
- Historical research about the property
- Family photographs and documentation
- More complete story than shown in "The Conjuring" film
Common criticisms:
- Overly verbose and meandering writing
- Too many metaphors and flowery descriptions
- Need for stronger editing
- Multiple timeline shifts create confusion
- Repetitive passages
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings)
Amazon: 3.9/5 (1,300+ ratings)
Sample reader feedback:
"Important story buried under excessive prose" - Goodreads reviewer
"Like trying to read someone's stream of consciousness" - Amazon reviewer
"Rich in detail but needs streamlining" - Barnes & Noble review
Several readers recommend the audiobook version for easier consumption of the dense writing style.
📚 Similar books
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
A family moves into a house with a dark history, experiencing escalating supernatural phenomena that mirrors the experiences documented in the Perron family's case.
This House is Haunted by John Boyne A Victorian governess accepts a position at Gaudlin Hall, where she encounters spirits and uncovers the truth behind the estate's haunted past.
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson The Lutz family's documented account of 28 days in their new home reveals paranormal occurrences that forced them to flee.
Hell House by Richard Matheson Four researchers enter the Belasco House to prove or disprove survival after death, leading to encounters with supernatural forces.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James A governess's testimony chronicles her experience with two children and the malevolent spirits that inhabit their country estate.
This House is Haunted by John Boyne A Victorian governess accepts a position at Gaudlin Hall, where she encounters spirits and uncovers the truth behind the estate's haunted past.
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson The Lutz family's documented account of 28 days in their new home reveals paranormal occurrences that forced them to flee.
Hell House by Richard Matheson Four researchers enter the Belasco House to prove or disprove survival after death, leading to encounters with supernatural forces.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James A governess's testimony chronicles her experience with two children and the malevolent spirits that inhabit their country estate.
🤔 Interesting facts
🏚️ Andrea Perron wrote this memoir about her family's real-life experiences in the farmhouse that inspired "The Conjuring" movie, where they lived from 1971-1980.
👻 The Perron family chose to stay in the house for nearly a decade despite intense paranormal activity because they couldn't afford to move elsewhere.
🕯️ Ed and Lorraine Warren, the famous paranormal investigators featured in "The Conjuring" franchise, actually visited the house and declared it one of their most significant cases.
📚 The book is actually the first in a trilogy, with all three volumes detailing different aspects and time periods of the family's haunting experiences.
🏺 Eight generations of families lived and died in the 200-year-old farmhouse before the Perrons moved in, including the spirit of Bathsheba Sherman, who became the main antagonist in "The Conjuring."