The Housemaid, Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of the Online Book Club discussion of The Housemaid.

The beginning of the book sure started with a bang, didn't it? I am so curious to find out how that prologue relates to the rest of the story. Who do you think is talking in that section? Is it Millie? What do you think happened up in the attic? Do you like when books start in the present and then go backwards? I think it's an effective way to build suspense and excitement for the rest of the book!

What were your first impressions of the main characters? Millie seems kind and hardworking, but I'd like to know more about her time in prison. I'm really curious what she might have done. When she meets with her parole officer, the parole officer makes the comment that Millie had been incarcerated since she was a teen. I can't imagine what her backstory is. Nina is such a loon. I can't imagine working for someone like her. I don't understand why she is so erratic. It's like she is trying to make is horrible so that Millie will leave. I don't understand how a grown adult can throw plates on the floor or make a huge mess in the bathroom every day. There must be more going on with her. Andrew seems like a really nice man. What do you think he sees in Nina? Do you think he's as nice as he seems? Do you think he and Millie have a spark with each other? I hope not, but I think I see that coming. This section ends with Millie saying that she is going to stay away from Andrew, but I can't see her doing that forever. It's just not tenable with them living so close together. 

I have a lot of reservations about the house, don't you? I don't understand what's going on with Millie's door. Why does it lock from the outside, and why was it so hard for her to get a key? And, do you think it's really just sticking all those times where Millie thinks she is locked in, or could she really be locked in? I can't imagine feeling safe to live in a place like that. I know it's better than her car, but still. 

What do you think about Enzo? He is such a mysterious character. Why did he say something to Millie about danger? It doesn't seem like he wants to spend any other time with her, but he wanted to warn her of the danger. I wonder what he knows. 

It was sad when Nina and Andrew went to the fertility specialist and found out that they can't have kids. Do you think that could be the reason why Nina is acting so erratically? Is she just so filled with grief? The scene where Nina and Andrew fought, and Nina got blood on her nightgown was really intense. What do you think went down during that fight?  

What did you make of the scene with the peanut butter? Nina claims that Cecelia is allergic, but Andrew claims she isn't. Why would they keep peanut butter in the house if she were allergic? Why would Nina not let Millie throw it away? But, on the other hand, why would Nina lie about the allergy? I was really confused by that whole scene. I think it just shows that there are things happening in that house that we haven't begun to figure out. 

Do you have any ideas about what might happen in the next section? Are you excited to keep reading? 

Before you go, check out the video below to hear the stars of the movie version talk about book to movie adaptations!

Thanks for following along this week! I hope you'll leave a comment to let me know what you thought. I hope you're able to read through chapter 42 before checking back next week.