Review: The Tenant by Freida McFadden

The Tenant by Freida McFadden

For Christmas this year my best friend and I decided to swap book baskets. In the basket she gifted to me was a box of Frosted Flakes cereal, a bag of Goldfish, snickerdoodle cookie mix, various baking supplies, and a copy of Freida McFadden's The Tenant. Upon opening the basket I was confused. However, once I dove into the novel it all started to come together.

Categorized as a psychological thriller, The Tenant actually reads like a comedic handbook on gaslighting and deception. The main character, Blake Porter, is down on his luck after losing a high-paying job in the city. In order to make ends meet he and his fiancée, Krista, invite a roommate into their home. Soon after the roommate, Whitney, moves in, strange things begin happening.

The plot structure of the novel is a point of strength worth noting. Despite the twists and turns at the end, the story flows coherently and without confusion. Additionally, the dialogue between the characters is funny, witty, and serves as a vehicle for the novel's absurdity.

The only issue with the novel is its genre categorization. If audiences are expecting a thriller that'll keep them up all night with the lights on, The Tenant misses the mark. However, The Tenant is still worth a read but for different reasons: it's funny, exciting, and absurd. (I caught myself literally laughing out loud at certain parts.)

Overall, I rate The Tenant as a three-star read. Additionally, I think this story would make for an awesome film adaptation.