The House
Dublin Core
Abstract
**Warning: Some readers may find certain scenes in this book disturbing.**
There are two books about St. Augustine that have a certain reputation, Sewall's Sketches of St. Augustine (1849), infamous for the description of the local Minorcans and exaggerations about Sewall's experiences during his short time living here, and this book.
The author purchased and lived in a house in West St. Augustine that had an unsavory past that locals felt was best left both untold and forgotten. Despite requests to leave the family's story in anonymity, the author was intrigued by the lives of these previous owners and wrote a historical novel. How much of the book is true and how much was literary invention is not known, but given the frosty reception surrounding the publication of this book, it can be assumed the historical detail is pretty accurate.
This book is an extremely disturbing read due to the level of detail Ferrell includes to describe the insanity, rape, multi-generational incest, and physical and mental abuse that occurred in the family.
There are two books about St. Augustine that have a certain reputation, Sewall's Sketches of St. Augustine (1849), infamous for the description of the local Minorcans and exaggerations about Sewall's experiences during his short time living here, and this book.
The author purchased and lived in a house in West St. Augustine that had an unsavory past that locals felt was best left both untold and forgotten. Despite requests to leave the family's story in anonymity, the author was intrigued by the lives of these previous owners and wrote a historical novel. How much of the book is true and how much was literary invention is not known, but given the frosty reception surrounding the publication of this book, it can be assumed the historical detail is pretty accurate.
This book is an extremely disturbing read due to the level of detail Ferrell includes to describe the insanity, rape, multi-generational incest, and physical and mental abuse that occurred in the family.
Identifier
SPECIAL PS3556 .E7257 H6 1979
Access Rights
This item is part of Rare Books and is accessible by appointment-only.
Creator
Title
The House
Publisher
New York: Carlton Press
Date
Format
Hardcover book
Language
English
Audience
Subject
Historical
Psychological
Psychological
Coverage
Flagler Era
1912-1975
1912-1975
Accrual Method
Purchased
References
McCarthy, Kevin. M. The Book Lover’s Guide to Florida. 1st ed. Pineapple Press, 1992.
Bibliographic Citation
Ferrell, June Moore. The House. Carlton Press, 1979.
Collection
Citation
June Moore Ferrell, “The House,” St. Augustine Fiction, accessed June 13, 2026, https://staugustinefiction.omeka.net/items/show/41.