The House We Grew Up In

The House We Grew Up In is a psychological family drama written by Lisa Jewell. Published in 2014, it tells the story of a family that looks perfect from the outside but whose secrets run deep. Jewell is a British author who has written 19 novels, many of which are international bestsellers. Her first novel, Ralph’s Party, was the best-selling debut British novel of 1999, and her 2008 novel, 31 Dream Street, won the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance. The House We Grew Up In is one of Jewell’s many suspense novels and incorporates themes like Escape Versus Coming Together, Family Ties and the Cyclical Nature of Trauma, and Clarity Gained from Different Viewpoints.

This study guide refers to the Penguin 2012 paperback edition of the novel.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss possibly triggering topics including suicide, sexual assault, incest, and mental health conditions (hoarding, OCD, and mental health crises).

Plot Summary

The House We Grew Up In focuses on the Bird family. Lorelei is a carefree mother who wants to create a perfect childhood for Meg, Beth, Rory, and Rhys (the two brothers are twins).