The House in the Pines

The House in the Pines makes frequent references to fairy tales and myths in the novel. In what ways can this novel be read as a contemporary fairy tale?

Compare the novel’s most powerful storytellers: Frank, whose narratives weave hypnotic trances, and Jairo, whose unfinished novel dispels Frank’s hypnosis. What does the novel say about the power of story?

Discuss generational trauma and parents’ effect on their children in the novel. How does Frank’s predation reflect his father’s abuse and his mother’s experience of abuse? How does Maya’s misdiagnosis reflect Brenda’s experiences with her sister?

The House in the Pines follows two different time frames: Maya’s summer before college and her quest for answers seven years later. How does the past influence our understanding of the present in the novel? Consider both structure and thematic concerns in your essay.

What elements make this novel a psychological thriller? Discuss the novel’s use of suspense, tension, conflict, and moral absolutes.

Is a strong imagination a gift or a burden in the novel? Substantiate your answer with examples from the book.

Why does Reyes include Maya’s visit to Guatemala in a novel primarily about her solving a murder mystery? How does this part of the novel reflect or transform our understanding of the rest of the text?

Discuss authority and power in the novel. We meet many authority figures: Frank’s father and Frank, who have the authority of professional expertise; the police in the past and the present; and Dr. Barry. What is the novel saying about people in positions of authority?