Rose/House by Arkady Martine

Book Review

Robin CM Duncan

There is a lot to like about this novella: intriguing characters, deep imagination, and a very engaging idea that blooms at the heart of the story. This is very much a piece that made me think, and I like that. It’s certainly what I want from my Science Fiction, and it’s safe to describe the story as operating in that area.

“Basit Deniau’s houses were haunted to begin with. 

A house embedded with an artificial intelligence is a common thing: a house that is an artificial intelligence, infused in every load-bearing beam and fine marble tile with a thinking creature that is not human? That is something else altogether.”

Dr Selene Gisil is a former protégé of Deniau, the master architect, and now – a year after his death – the custodian of his legacy. Rose House is Deniau’s masterwork, repository of his archive; but only Selene is permitted to enter this singular residence, and only once per year. So, when she receives a phone call Maritza Smith of the China Lake Police that Rose House has reported a dead body within its walls, there are urgent questions to answer, but only Selene can access the scene.

For me, this story evoked memories of some excellent stories of the seventies by the likes of John Brunner, Thomas Disch and Philip K Dick; close, claustrophobic mysteries in which sinister presences lurk, strange characters enter the frame, motivations are shrouded, lies are the currency in trade. There is a strong noir tone to the narrative; crunchy, sinuous, and not a little opaque. 

In fact, if I toiled with anything, it was a feeling of obliqueness in character interiority. For while there is no lack of atmosphere, and the various mysteries engage, I felt much of what played out was obscured from me by a veil of prose more intent on style and artistry than exploration. A metaphor for the mind of the deceased architect? Possibly, but I would have liked less constant questioning by the characters of the situation, the mystery, the other characters, themselves, and a bit more concrete (pun intended) revelation. However, unlike the angles of Rose House, perhaps I am just being obtuse.