The Hundred-Year House

The Hundred-Year House moves backward through time, beginning in 1999 at a historic estate north of Chicago. The story centers on Zee Devohr, who lives in the coach house with her husband Doug, and her mother Gracie, who occupies the main house that has been in their family for generations. The narrative traces the history of Laurelfield, an estate that once housed an artists' colony in the 1920s and 1930s. As Doug researches a poet who spent time at the colony, he uncovers connections between past residents and the present-day inhabitants of the property. The novel shifts through different time periods and perspectives, revealing secrets about the house and the Devohr family through documents, memories, and artifacts. Characters from each era navigate relationships, creative pursuits, and the persistent influence of the estate itself. This literary ghost story explores themes of inheritance, creativity, and the ways physical spaces shape human lives across generations. The structure of the novel mirrors its central questions about time, memory, and how the past continues to inhabit the present.

Readers describe the book as an intricate puzzle box, with the reverse chronological structure creating suspense as secrets are revealed. Many appreciate how the different time periods connect and illuminate each other. Readers liked: - Complex character relationships that unfold through multiple perspectives - Gothic atmosphere and ghost story elements - Historical details about artist colonies - Writing style that balances literary and accessible Common criticisms: - First section moves slowly compared to later parts - Some found the ending unsatisfying or confusing - Character motivations not always clear - Structure makes it hard to keep track of relationships Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (180+ ratings) "Like a Russian nesting doll in reverse," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader noted "the clever way information is parceled out." Multiple reviewers mentioned struggling through the first 50-75 pages before becoming engaged with the story.

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The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters Set in a decaying English manor, this ghost story explores class dynamics and family histories through interconnected narratives spanning generations.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield A biographer uncovers layers of family secrets and literary mysteries while documenting the life of a reclusive author in her ancestral home.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton Time loops and body-switching combine in a country house mystery where the protagonist must relive the same day through different perspectives to solve a murder.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón Multiple timelines interweave as a rare book leads to discoveries about the past, connecting characters through decades of secrets in Barcelona.

🏛️ The novel's setting, Laurelfield, was inspired by real artists' colonies that flourished in America during the early 20th century, including the famous MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire. 📚 Rebecca Makkai worked backward to write the novel, starting with 1999 and moving back in time to 1900, crafting interconnected stories that reveal family secrets across generations. 🎨 The author's great-grandmother was a Hungarian actress who fled Europe, similar to one of the novel's characters, and Makkai drew from her family's immigration stories for inspiration. 👻 The ghost story elements in the book were influenced by Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," which Makkai studied extensively during her MFA program. 🏆 The Hundred-Year House won the Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year Award and was named one of Booklist's Top 10 Historical Fiction Books of 2014.