A Veritable Household Pet

A Veritable Household Pet by Viggy Parr Hampton is one of the saddest horror books I’ve read in a while, but, like all of her works, is beautifully written and filled with characters who are complex and imperfect and feel like real people. 

Thirteen-year-old Ellie’s sister Darla was given a lobotomy - at 11 years old! - around the time it was fully recognized as the barbaric procedure it is, and it made Darla incapable of caring for herself. It impacted her ability to feel emotions and to make decisions. She had to relearn many basic tasks, if she was even able to, and writing was one she could not grasp again so she dictates her diary to Ellie who punctuates it with her own commentary and memories. 

We are reading that diary which tells their story, about what led to the family’s decision for Darla’s care and aftermath of the lobotomy, the prison that it puts Darla and Ellie in, and the impact it has on their family and anyone that tries to get close to them, for the next 35 years. 

On several occasions, we realize the diary is actually written in second person, as the “you” who is reading it is referenced and obviously as a specific person. By the time Parr Hampton reveals who that is, the reader has had time to piece it together, but that just adds another layer of grief and horror. 

One of my favorite things about Parr Hampton’s works, and this is no exception, is how she weaves historical and sometimes medical facts into the stories. I always feel smarter after reading her books, without feeling like I’ve had to work hard to do so. 

Random Thoughts:

How is a college professor gonna have a mansion? 

Hollywood Cemetery is beautiful. I’ll share some shots I took there years ago below.

Note: I received a free review copy for my unbiased opinion.