To the world it must appear as though they are a perfect family: Swedish born architect Alex, his beautiful wife Suzette and their seven year old daughter Hanna. Not all is as it seems - Hanna won't speak.
The story is recounted in alternate chapters by Suzette and Hanna. Suzette, who suffers from Crohn's disease, had a difficult relationship with her mother. She has tried to provide Hanna with a childhood far removed from her own. However, although it is obvious to Alex and Suzette that Hanna is intelligent, she will not speak or enter into written communication. Hanna also exhibits behavioral problems that ensure attempts at normal schooling have failed. Hanna's narration reveals the reasons for her behavior and it is quite deliberate.
One day all this changes. Hanna, who is being home schooled by Suzette, responds to a spelling test with some extremely unexpected words then suddenly speaks. Her words chill Suzette and everything gets worse. In front of Alex, Hanna remains silent, almost angelic, and she is careful to destroy any contrary evidence before he sees it. As Hanna's war against her mother increases even Alex has to give up his slender hope that it is a physical problem. Events at their Walpurgis celebration are the final straw.
With action centered in the home, there are few external events and minor characters but they advance the plot efficiently and believably.
I found it a challenging and chilling read at times with Hanna's increasingly disturbing behavior ramping up the tension. The balance between detail in the story and plot progress is on the whole good, although I felt that it slowed occasionally but maybe this is to enable the reader to assimilate the events and emotions.
It is a book I might not have been drawn to but it is an interesting and compelling read with a definite chill to the ending.
