TV show Big Brother combined with the Saw movies

Remember the TV show Big Brother combine that with the Saw movies and you have The Housemates in a nutshell. Full of all the gore, the suspense, the mystery and the need for more that you would expect from such a pairing.

The story surrounds one of the eleven people that think they are on a reality TV game show, Damien. A seemingly pretty normal guy, who seems to be there for all the right reasons. Only to find out on the first day that there is more going on than they were led to believe. Each of the eleven have done terrible things in their past and now they have been gathered to pay the ultimate price and satisfy their victims hunger for revenge.

Each day, has the formulaic flow of most reality shows, the participants must take part in a challenge and then vote two to face each other face to face. The twist is they must battle one another for their lives. Once a competitor falls, their sins are revealed to the rest of the group.

The Housemates is a great exploration of group dynamics under duress. Full of surprises and plot twists that kept me guessing until the very end. Believable characters, and somewhat believable situations. Part of the success that Wright has with The Housemates is because we are all familiar with reality TV. The twist lies within the psychopaths that are in charge.

I would have liked more of a deeper knowledge of the eleven, and the landlord, more character development, even though much was revealed. I understand why there wasn't so much for some, but I still would have liked to know more about some of them. This could have made this audiobook longer and more fulfilling.

Audiobook purchased by the narrator.

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7 people found this helpful

Darkly Brilliant!

Any additional comments?

My review for: The Housemates by Iain Rob Wright
Narrated by Chris Barnes
Book Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Narration Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Shanna Roberson

Blurb taken from Goodreads:

TEN DAYS, TWELVE COMPETITORS, TWO MILLION POUNDS CASH. What at first appears to be a wonderful opportunity for Damien Banks turns out to be the worst nightmare he can imagine.

Trapped inside a house with eleven strangers, and a booming voice known only as 'The Landlord' controlling his every move, Damien will be forced to compete not only for the money, but for his life.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN...


Review:

This was my first taste of Iain Rob Wright’s writing and it did not disappoint. With an overall feeling of extreme creepiness, Iain sets the tone for one of the most sadistic games I have ever read. A gory, masterful tale of revenge and the ugliness of human nature. With twists and turns, Housemates keep me on the edge of my seat and my heart pounding. Different from anything I have read, I would definitely recommend this to any horror lover out there.

Iain’s dark sense of humor and ability to instill complete terror paired with the talented voice artistry of Chris Barnes is perfection. Chris has this uncanny ability to breathe life into the books he narrates and this was no exception. With narrating something so horrific, he easily conveyed the absolute terror and pain the characters must have been feeling as they fought each other to the death. His range of expressive voices and his interpretation of the characters made it impossible to put the book down. Hands down, he is one of my top three favorite voice artists. I can’t stress enough how talented this narrator truly is. Can’t wait for the next one, Chris Barnes!

6 people found this helpful

You've Got to Love the Wright/Barnes Combination!

What made the experience of listening to The Housemates the most enjoyable?

After having previously read The Housemates and finding myself in love with Celebrity Big Brother, I had to go back and relive this wonderfully executed novel. Chris Barnes brings the characters to life in a way that made me feel as though I was in the house with the contestants.

Who was your favorite character and why?

In all Iain's books in which Damien appears, he is my favorite character. Iain writes with him with such depth and personality, it's hard to not like him, despite his flaws.

What does Chris Barnes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The Housemates is a unique book that is disturbing and disgusting on its own. Listening to Chris Barnes tell the story adds a whole new level of discomfort and emotion that was not present when I read the book on my own. He performs different voices and accents, giving each character a unique voice, and the sound effects he uses gives the story new dimension.

Who was the most memorable character of The Housemates and why?

Each character is so varied, it makes them all memorable in one way or another. If I had to choose, I think either Damien or The Landlord is the most memorable character.

Any additional comments?

I think it's ridiculous when people complain about Chris Barnes' thick accent. Anyone who is interested in listening to one of his books has the opportunity to preview a sample of the book first, and if his accent is too thick, why purchase the book? Because of this, I find it hard to take those reviews very seriously. Accent or no accent, this narrator loves what he does and that is very obvious in each book he reads.

4 people found this helpful

Recommended! Horror fans won't be disappointed.

What did you love best about The Housemates?

It's a mixture of 'My Little Eye' and the Saw films, so doesn't skimp on the horror and it quickly gets to the point. It's an exciting story and one that could easily be turned into it's own film or tv show.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Housemates?

It's hard to really say anything too specific without ruining the surprises, but lets just say that things aren't always what they seem. The "tasks" for the housemates are rather intense and messy.

Which scene was your favorite?

There's a certain task involving the removal of fingernails that I'll be trying not to think about for a while.

Who was the most memorable character of The Housemates and why?

I was really intrigued by the Landlord (essentially Big Brother) and what was really going on. There's certainly potential for sequels.

Any additional comments?

The narration from Chris Barnes really stood out and perfectly matched the story. One thing that is a huge part of Big Brother in the UK is the voice of Big Brother, typically a regional accent, and Chris absolutely nailed it. The story would have been let down without a narrator that understood the material and was willing to go the extra mile with the characters and I never once felt myself dropping out of it.

In general, the production quality was high too and it felt very slick. This was my first dip into the world of audiobooks and I wasn't disappointed.

4 people found this helpful

Not my cup of Tea

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I didnt like the book. It stirred no emotions in me. It was short and the story line left so much lacking. It reminded me a lot of the "Saw" franchise. I didnt connect with any of the characters. The environment wasnt all that clear to me.

Would you be willing to try another book from Iain Rob Wright? Why or why not?

Not if its anything like this.

What didn’t you like about Chris Barnes’s performance?

I didnt like the performance at all. Mostly because of the very heavy accent.

Do you think The Housemates needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Id say no.

2 people found this helpful

Loved this book...

I was on the edge every step of the way...just as the characters, as I assume was the author's intention. But being the voracious reader I have been since childhhod, it takes more than gimmicks to engage me. I kept going back and forth, again like the characters, about whether or not there would be a winner. My only critism is a spoiler, so be warned. and stop reading here.

Clearing Damian of the crime he supposedly committed, landing him there wasn't really necessary (I kept thinking his partner had put him there). I do like the fact tho that the ending was somewhat ambiguous, avoiding a sappy happy ending to an extremely violent story. I think if I was going to write a different ending, Damian would have had a more satisfying "meeting" with the Traitor,. I felt that was rushed, especially when we the audience hoped for equal justice. It's not really clear if the Traitor was left in the building when it exploded, or was one of the people that according to the Landlord were ushered out at the last minute. And if she was I can see a pretty obvious sequel. I for one would welcome that!

1 person found this helpful

Excellent performance of an engaging story

If you could sum up The Housemates in three words, what would they be?

Horrifying human experiment

If you’ve listened to books by Iain Rob Wright before, how does this one compare?

I have not. But I will probably seek out more of his work in the future.

Which character – as performed by Chris Barnes – was your favorite?

Damien, the protagonist. He was tough, but always fair and honourable. Chris managed to convey that perfectly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. The narrator brought the characters to life in a definitive way. Some of the housemates had similar attitudes and styles, and it would have been easy to confuse them. This is where the narrator came in, and he nailed it.

Any additional comments?

I found the story perfectly enjoyable--interesting and engaging, if a little generic. But I was expecting something more. This is a Big Brother house setting, with elements of Saw, My Little Eye, and Cube, and it works very well.

1 person found this helpful

Predictable, but still good

Decent story, but predictable if you know the splatter horror genre. Worth a listen.

brutal bleak badly written

A great horror more concerned with violence and shock more than a deep and intriguing cast of characters.

Very Solid IRW Thriller

Most Ian Rob Wright titles fumble towards the end for me. This one remained solid throughout, and I was genuinely on the edge of my seat through the climax. His characters still suffer from being one-note here and there, and I wish he'd attempt a more ambitious plot now-and-again, but for what this is, I greatly enjoyed it, and the narrator did an excellent job.