I immersed myself into "Catherine House" in short order - the literary writing appealed to me entirely and I've always had a place in my heart for stories set in boarding schools - this one is a school with a difference, a quietly compelling place that is as much a character as the students and teachers that live within it's walls.

Those that attend give themselves up to it entirely, no outside contact and leaving the world behind. The promise being you come out a whole new person, ready to take on the challenges of real life, all ex Catherine House students are hugely successful. What goes on there is shrouded in secrecy and rife in rumour.

We follow one student through her 3 years there, the beauty and the darkness - the secrets Catherine House holds are often gently horrifying- the author has created an imaginative, speculative tale that manages to explore all aspects of human nature. It is oft existential, mesmerising in its hold and cleverly layered. It won't be for everyone but it surely worked it's magic on this reader - the ending was melancholy and will stay with me for a while.

Destined to be a cult classic I would imagine. Highly recommended for fans of the less than obvious.

For me,this didn't quite live up to its promise of slightly sinister boarding school,whee you leave your past behind for three years to enter.
The scenes were set nicely of how the boarders lived,the clothing,the meals,the secret rituals....
It had atmosphere at times,but I found it slow,and the main character not all that likeable.

Intriguing blurb but this book was far less sophisticated than I wanted with a YA feel. The writing is workmanlike, the story meanders without much drive, and I just couldn't 'see' the characters or story.