Setting
The unfolding drama of The Spirit House finds its stage within the expansive confines of a grand residence, home to a prosperous family, and within the bustling halls of Julie and Dominic's schools. This residence, immense enough to hold private chambers for each family member as well as a welcoming guest room for Bia, boasts a yard so generous that Dominic can erect The Spirit House without it lingering in the home's shadow. This dwelling embodies the pride and pretentiousness of a family cushioned by wealth. They anticipate that their visitor from Thailand will be dazzled by the opulence and grandeur of an American household. With self-satisfaction, they expect to revel in their guest's appreciation. However, Bia's apathy towards the luxuries and even his spacious quarters hints early on at the disappointments looming on the horizon.
The School Arena
For Julie, school transcends its educational purpose, morphing into a battleground for social triumphs. She claims to have tirelessly toiled to climb the social ladder, and the prospect of a foreign guest accompanying her to school stirs a whirlwind of worry. Initially, Bia is a social asset; his composed demeanor and striking appearance win him instant popularity. Yet, the school's unfolding events vividly illustrate the spirit's influence. When the spirit opposes Julie, she falls from grace into a pit of disdain and mockery; when it favors her, her adversaries falter, and she basks in the adoration of her boyfriend, effortlessly achieving academic success. Meanwhile, at Dominic's school, the narrative reaches its climactic tension. There, Julie is compelled to make decisions that demand maturity, comprehension, and bravery.
Literary Qualities
The Spirit House unfolds through the eyes of Julie, a high school sophomore whose sharp judgments and obsession with social status paint her as self-absorbed and immature. She anticipates the arrival of her family's Thai guest with dread, fearing he will be an awkward bookworm who jeopardizes her precious popularity. Yet, when the visitor turns out to be a charming and sophisticated young man, Julie's superficial delight betrays her shallow nature, eager to flaunt him before her peers. Her narrative demands that readers look beyond the surface, questioning her possibly skewed perspective on her mother's discipline, which she resents. As for Bia, Julie's tangled thoughts cast doubt, leaving readers to ponder whether Bia is a threat or simply misunderstood. As suspicion creeps into Julie's mind, uncertainty weaves through the reader's own judgment, heightening the tension. Could Bia be a murderer, or is Julie misinterpreting events? Does he wield the spirit against Julie or act as a hidden ally? What dark purpose might lurk behind his knife-wielding—does it portend harm to Julie, or is it intended merely for culinary tasks?
The Suspense Builds
The thriller The Spirit House constructs its suspense with meticulous care, laying out an intricate pattern of danger. Julie's character plays a pivotal role; while intelligent enough for high grades, her self-centeredness renders her account unreliable, possibly blinding her to crucial clues. The narrative tension arises on dual fronts. Supernatural elements come into play when Dominic initiates the construction of a spirit house, sparking worry in Bia, who cautions against commencing such tasks on a Saturday to avoid ill fortune. Sleator toys with the unease, hinting at the spirit house's ominous potential before escalating the drama as its completion begins to wreak havoc in Julie's life. Her circle of friends turns cold, and her once meticulous self-care slips into disarray. When Julie offers a gift to the spirit, it seemingly reacts, deepening the enigma.
On a more terrestrial level, the suspense hinges on identity and deception. The man claiming to be Thamrongsak Tanngarmtrong...
(This entire section contains 587 words.)
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might be a charlatan, having possibly dealt with the real Thamrongsak through nefarious means. Bia's secrecy and his chilling declaration, "Just remember—I not your friend now, Julie," coupled with his worldly demeanor, cast a shadow of menace over him. A deceitful figure who has perhaps killed before might not hesitate to do so again to guard his secrets.
The Climax and Anti-Climax
The novel's tense threads converge at its climax, where Julie unravels the enigma of Bia's true nature. Bia reveals his past mistake of angering spirits by neglecting a promised offering. This revelation sets the stage for a thrilling chase, with Julie confronting her own trepidations—a hallmark of Sleator's storytelling, offering a rewarding conclusion. However, the novel's subdued anti-climax presents challenges, a recurring element in Sleator’s works. Julie's trip to Thailand results in the loss of a jade Buddha meant for a shrine—a theft seemingly orchestrated mid-flight. Her hosts greet her with troubled expressions:
They're not smiling, as they were in the photos. Even when I wave at them and they recognize me, their smiles are halfhearted, forced. Clearly something is wrong. Bia isn't with them.
This conclusion employs a familiar, formulaic "Blob ending," reminiscent of the 1958 film that closes with "The End?"—suggesting further developments. While not always executed flawlessly in Sleator's oeuvre (as in The Night the Heads Came), it suits The Spirit House well. Given the volatile nature of the Thai spirits, a truly happy resolution seems elusive for those entwined with them.
For Further Reference
Michael Cart's Reflection
Cart, Michael. School Library Journal 37, 12 (December 1991): 136. Commends The Spirit House for its rich cultural portrayal, though some sequences of the narrative leave him in a haze.
Margaret L. Daggett's Recommendation
Daggett, Margaret L. "Recommended: William Sleator." English Journal 76 (March 1987): 93-94. Delves into the magnetic appeal of Sleator's work among high school audiences, unraveling the threads of his allure.
The Davises' Critical Study
Davis, James, and Hazel Davis. Presenting William Sleator. New York: Macmillan, 1992. A compelling and critical exploration of Sleator’s life, weaving connections between his personal experiences and the worlds he crafts in his fiction.
William Sleator on Science Fiction
Sleator, William. "Chaos, Strange Attractors, and Other Peculiarities in the English Classroom." In Authors' Insights: Turning Teenagers into Readers and Writers. Edited by Donald R. Gallo. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 1992, pp. 43-52. Sleator illustrates how the genre of science fiction can ignite curiosity and foster a love for reading among young minds, demonstrating his thoughtful consideration of his audience’s desires and intellectual appetite.
Autobiographical Glimpses
——. "William Sleator." In Speaking for Ourselves: Autobiographical Sketches by Notable Authors of Books for Young Adults. Edited by Donald R. Gallo. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 1990, pp. 193-194. Offers a glimpse into Sleator's journey to becoming an author, sharing personal stories and insights.
Crafting Stories for Young Readers
——. "William Sleator on Creating Readers." In Literature for Today's Young Adults. Third edition. Edited by Kenneth L. Donelson and Alleen Pace Nilsen. Glenview, IL: Harper, 1989, p. 348. Discusses the importance of weaving engaging tales to captivate the imaginations of young readers, highlighting Sleator’s dedication to narrative prowess.
Royce D. Williams' Web Resource
Williams, Royce D., Web page: http://saturn.math.uaa.alaska.edu-royce/sleator.html. Features an array of photographs and serves as an excellent hub for reviews and insights into Sleator’s literary creations.
