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Book Review of The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red
reviewed on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


The book is meant to be a diary of a woman in the early 1900's, so keep that in mind as you read it. The language and pacing are reflective of that time - i.e., a bit slower than our current super fast-paced world and with a larger vocabulary.
That said, it actually adds to the authentic feel of the diary. I enjoyed it. I understand the book was actually commissioned to be written as a kind of unofficial promotion for the tv-movie Rose Red. It did its job - after reading about poor Ellen's trials in the possessed house, I am eager to re-watch the film (I saw it once, years ago) and see how many details mentioned in the book made it into the film. The film is not a re-telling of the book. The book is actually set up as if it was a diary found by Joyce Reardon - the researcher that later enters Rose Red with a team of psychics in order to re-awaken the spirit of the house. ( Can't say that seems like a very good idea, considering all the horrible things the house did when awake. )
I had a good time reading it... I won't say I was on the edge of my seat, but it was very interesting. I felt bad for poor Ellen - stuck in a marriage to a man that turns out to be very different from what she expected. I fell in love with her maid-turned-friend from darkest Africa - the mysterious and powerful Sukeena. The book draws you in without you even being aware that it's happening. Good stuff!