We Live Here Now Summary, Characters and Themes

We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough is a psychological thriller that explores the intricate interplay of guilt, trauma, and supernatural forces.  The story revolves around Emily and Freddie, a couple who move into Larkin Lodge, a large, eerie house in the countryside, in hopes of a fresh start.

Emily is recovering from a serious accident, and as she grapples with both physical and emotional scars, strange and unsettling occurrences in the house begin to escalate.  The tension between the couple grows as Emily becomes obsessed with the idea that the house may be haunted, while Freddie struggles with his own guilt and emotional turmoil. The novel intricately weaves together elements of psychological suspense and supernatural horror, diving deep into themes of betrayal, guilt, and the haunting legacy of past actions.

Summary

Emily and Freddie have just moved into Larkin Lodge, a large, isolated house in the countryside.  Emily is recovering from a traumatic accident that left her in a coma for several months, and the move represents a fresh start that both she and Freddie hope will help her heal.

However, while Freddie is optimistic, Emily finds herself struggling with the overwhelming changes and the limitations imposed by her physical and emotional recovery.  The house, though grand, is old and unsettling, filled with dark, imposing rooms that only amplify Emily’s discomfort.

She finds herself constantly haunted by memories of her life before the accident, including an affair with her boss, which she feels guilty about, especially since Freddie remains unaware of it.

As they settle into Larkin Lodge, strange occurrences begin to unsettle Emily.  She hears odd noises, finds objects moved, and experiences a general sense of unease.

One night, after hearing strange sounds, she discovers a bird trapped in the house, but the experience only heightens her anxiety.  Emily begins to wonder whether these occurrences are the result of her trauma or if the house might be haunted.

Her suspicions are fueled further when she encounters a mysterious woman outside the house who seems to know more about its history than she lets on, but she disappears before Emily can get any answers.

Emily’s paranoia deepens when she participates in a Ouija board session with friends.  The board’s unexpected movements, along with flickering lights and other eerie events, lead Emily to question whether the house is connected to past tragedies.

Her fears are further compounded by the vicar’s chilling explanation about the house’s dark history, involving suicides and violent deaths on the land.  As Emily becomes more obsessed with the idea that the house is haunted, Freddie, ever the skeptic, dismisses her concerns as a product of her mental and physical trauma, but Emily’s sense of dread only grows.

Despite Freddie’s reassurances, the tension between them increases.  Freddie harbors his own guilt about the accident, feeling that he might have been responsible for Emily’s fall during a hiking trip in Ibiza.

He also struggles with his feelings of guilt about their strained relationship, especially since Emily’s affair remains a secret.  Their marriage is becoming increasingly strained, and the house, which was supposed to be a place of healing, is only adding to their problems.

As the strange occurrences continue, Emily investigates the house’s past, uncovering disturbing stories about former occupants, including a famous actress and her abusive husband.  Emily visits the elderly former owner of the house, Fortuna Carmichael, in an attempt to uncover more information.

However, Fortuna is evasive and refuses to discuss the house’s troubling history, further fueling Emily’s obsession.  The strange incidents in the house escalate, with Emily finding disturbing messages and hearing unsettling noises.

She begins to feel as though something—or someone—is watching her.

Freddie, meanwhile, is consumed with his own issues.  His gambling addiction has left him financially unstable, and the pressure of their new life in the house only adds to his stress.

He is also hiding his own guilt about the death of their unborn child, which has become another source of tension in their already fragile relationship.  As Emily becomes more obsessed with the house’s dark past, Freddie’s behavior grows increasingly erratic.

He dismisses her suspicions and refuses to acknowledge the problems in their marriage, which only drives a wedge between them.

The paranormal events in the house intensify, with Emily becoming convinced that the house is haunted by the spirit of a woman named Georgina Usher, who disappeared years ago.  Her obsession with the supernatural events only deepens as she learns of the house’s violent history, including the deaths of previous occupants.

She becomes fixated on the idea that by uncovering the truth about the house, she might find peace.

At the same time, Emily learns that their friends, Cat and Mark, have been having an affair.  This discovery leads Emily to question the foundation of her relationships, both with Freddie and with her friends.

Her feelings of betrayal and hurt compel her to blackmail Mark, demanding money in exchange for keeping the affair a secret.  This act of desperation is motivated by her need for financial security, but it also deepens the rift between her and Freddie.

The tension in the house escalates as Emily’s mental state begins to deteriorate.  She continues to experience strange visions and encounters, including a mysterious presence in the house that she believes is linked to the tragic past of its former occupants.

Despite her increasing isolation and Freddie’s growing indifference, Emily continues to investigate the house’s history, convinced that uncovering its secrets will offer a solution to her problems.  She becomes consumed by the need to know the truth, but the more she uncovers, the more she is drawn into the house’s dark energy.

Freddie, on the other hand, struggles with his own guilt.  He feels trapped by his actions and his emotional turmoil, and his relationship with Emily becomes increasingly strained as he distances himself from her.

His emotional instability, combined with his secretive behavior, only exacerbates the tension in the house.  Emily’s obsession with the house’s supernatural occurrences becomes a focal point for her deteriorating mental health, and she finds herself questioning whether the house is truly haunted or if her mind is playing tricks on her.

As Emily digs deeper into the house’s past, she uncovers more unsettling details about its former inhabitants.  She learns that the house has been a place of death and tragedy for generations, and she becomes convinced that something evil is lurking within its walls.

The presence of the supernatural, combined with her own emotional turmoil, leaves Emily feeling trapped in a cycle of fear and guilt.  She begins to fear for her safety, as well as for her marriage to Freddie, who seems increasingly distant and unhelpful.

In the final stages of the story, Emily faces a stark reality: the house, with all its dark history and mysterious occurrences, may be the least of her problems.  Her fractured relationship with Freddie, coupled with her growing obsession with the house’s supernatural elements, leaves her questioning everything.

The story concludes with a chilling sense of unresolved tension, leaving Emily—and the reader—wondering whether the house is truly haunted, or if it is simply a manifestation of the deep emotional wounds that the characters are unable to escape.

Characters

Emily

Emily is the central character of We Live Here Now, whose emotional and psychological journey drives the narrative.  She is recovering from a severe accident that left her in a coma, and her healing process is far from linear.

Despite her physical recovery, she grapples with emotional scars, guilt, and trauma.  The change in her life from a comfortable existence in London to a remote countryside home, Larkin Lodge, only adds to her unease.

The house, with its cold, dark rooms, seems to amplify her internal struggles.  Emily’s guilt is multifaceted; she is tormented by her affair with her boss, which Freddie, her husband, is unaware of.

This secret adds a layer of tension to their already strained relationship.  Furthermore, as Emily starts experiencing eerie events in the house, her paranoia grows, and she begins to question whether these strange occurrences are rooted in the supernatural or simply manifestations of her trauma.

Her obsession with uncovering the house’s past and understanding its history becomes a way for her to regain control over her life.  Emily’s emotional journey is one of self-discovery, as she battles not just the psychological scars of her past actions but also the growing fear that something darker may be at play within the walls of the house.

Freddie

Freddie is Emily’s husband, and his emotional complexity is revealed through his actions and internal conflict.  Outwardly, he appears supportive of Emily’s recovery, but beneath the surface, he is wrestling with guilt and his own secrets.

The weight of their new life in Larkin Lodge is heavy on him, and he is convinced that this move is necessary for Emily’s healing.  However, Freddie carries the burden of possibly being responsible for Emily’s accident, having been with her during the hike where she fell.

This guilt, coupled with his emotional turmoil, keeps him distanced from Emily.  Though he attempts to suppress his fears and doubts, he too is trapped in his own web of deceit.

Freddie’s gambling addiction, which has drained their finances, is one of the key factors in the unraveling of their relationship.  He dismisses the supernatural happenings in the house, suggesting that Emily’s fears are merely a result of her illness.

However, his own struggles with guilt and emotional distance from Emily lead him to question his actions and the choices that have brought them to this point.

Sally

Sally’s tragic fate is central to the mystery and tension within Larkin Lodge.  She is a character whose emotional and psychological wounds manifest in her turbulent relationship with Joe.

Sally’s insecurities and jealousies make her volatile, and her volatile nature leads to the tragic incident where she dies as a result of a physical altercation with Joe.  Joe’s inability to confront the consequences of his actions, as well as his choice to hide her death, sets in motion a cycle of torment that perpetuates the house’s eerie atmosphere.

Sally’s spirit lingers within the house, seeking vengeance and release.  Her ghost becomes an important figure in Emily’s quest to understand the house’s past, as Emily discovers that Sally’s death is linked to the house’s dark energy.

The tragic nature of Sally’s life and death exemplifies the theme of unresolved trauma that haunts the house.  Sally’s presence serves as a catalyst for Emily’s realization that the house feeds on emotional pain, and she becomes determined to release Sally’s spirit in hopes of breaking the cycle of suffering.

Joe

Joe’s role in We Live Here Now is deeply intertwined with his destructive relationship with Sally, which culminates in tragedy.  Joe is an artist, and his relationship with Sally is marked by tension and emotional instability.

His emotional exhaustion and the growing strain between him and Sally result in an argument that leads to Sally’s accidental death.  Joe’s guilt and fear cause him to spiral into self-destructive behavior, fueled by drugs and his own growing madness.

His decision to hide Sally’s body rather than call for help reflects his inability to face the consequences of his actions.  This guilt, coupled with the house’s haunting energy, traps Joe in a state of delirium.

As the story progresses, Joe’s psychological breakdown mirrors the house’s influence, and the two become inextricably linked.  His internal collapse is as much a part of the haunting as Sally’s ghost, both of them a reflection of the unresolved emotional baggage that the house seems to amplify.

Joe’s actions and guilt represent the devastating consequences of repression and the failure to confront one’s sins, making him a tragic figure in the story.

Fortuna Carmichael

Fortuna Carmichael is the mysterious former owner of Larkin Lodge, and her presence in the story adds a layer of intrigue to the house’s dark history.  As Emily delves into the house’s past, she encounters Fortuna, now elderly and residing in a care facility.

Fortuna’s reluctance to speak openly about the house’s history suggests that she, too, is haunted by the past.  Her evasiveness regarding the house’s supernatural occurrences and the tragic events that took place there adds to the house’s aura of mystery.

Fortuna’s interactions with Emily are marked by a sense of wariness, and she refuses to confront the ghostly events that Emily believes are connected to the house.  While Fortuna’s role in the narrative is secondary to Emily’s, her connection to the house and its past is undeniable, and her silence speaks volumes about the unresolved trauma that continues to haunt Larkin Lodge.

Fortuna’s role highlights the theme of repression and the refusal to confront uncomfortable truths, a theme that runs throughout the story.

Mark

Mark is a friend of Freddie and Emily, whose infidelity becomes a significant source of tension in Emily’s life.  Mark’s affair with Cat, another close friend, is discovered by Emily, adding to the layers of betrayal she feels.

Emily’s reaction to this discovery is extreme—she chooses to blackmail Mark, leveraging the affair and Freddie’s financial problems to secure money for herself.  This decision reflects Emily’s growing desperation and her desire to take control of her situation, especially in the face of the unraveling of her marriage.

Mark’s involvement in the affair adds to the web of deception that defines the relationships in the story, and his actions further complicate the already fraught dynamics between the characters.  Through Mark, the themes of betrayal and emotional manipulation are explored, as Emily’s decision to blackmail him highlights the lengths to which she is willing to go to regain a sense of agency in her life.

Cat

Cat’s role in We Live Here Now is primarily seen through her affair with Mark, which becomes a source of tension between Emily and their social circle.  Cat’s betrayal of Emily, although not as direct, exacerbates Emily’s feelings of isolation and distrust.

The affair causes Emily to question the loyalty of those around her, and the discovery of Cat’s infidelity deepens the divide between her and Freddie.  Cat’s actions, though seemingly secondary to the primary plot, contribute to the emotional landscape of the story, emphasizing the themes of secrecy, betrayal, and the breakdown of trust.

Her relationship with Emily and Mark underscores the complexity of friendships that are tested by lies and emotional turmoil.

Mrs. Tucker

Mrs. Tucker, the housekeeper at Larkin Lodge, plays a seemingly minor but crucial role in revealing the house’s past.

She provides Emily with insights into the house’s previous occupants, particularly Fortuna Carmichael and her tumultuous relationship with her husband, Gerald. 

Mrs. Tucker’s memories of witnessing a violent scene in the house between Fortuna and Gerald add another layer of mystery to the house’s troubled history.  While her role is small, Mrs. Tucker’s knowledge of the house’s dark secrets helps Emily piece together the disturbing truth about the house and its effect on its inhabitants.  Her contributions to the narrative highlight the theme of historical trauma and its lingering impact on the present.

Themes

Guilt and Responsibility

The theme of guilt is central to We Live Here Now as it permeates the lives of its characters, particularly Emily and Freddie.  Emily’s guilt stems from her actions prior to her accident, including her affair with her boss, which remains a secret from Freddie.

She feels torn between her desire for redemption and the overwhelming pressure of her unresolved feelings.  Her physical recovery from the accident is also shadowed by guilt, as she struggles with the consequences of her choices, and her emotional and physical limitations make her feel trapped in a life she no longer recognizes.

In contrast, Freddie’s guilt is tied to the tragic accident itself.  His self-blame grows as he reflects on whether his actions or inactions played a role in causing Emily’s fall, adding layers of complexity to his own emotional turmoil.

The weight of these emotional burdens is not limited to Emily and Freddie.  The house, Larkin Lodge, itself is a reflection of this guilt.

The atmosphere of the house seems to carry the weight of past wrongdoings, acting as a mirror to the characters’ struggles with their own moral failings.  The presence of guilt in their relationship drives a wedge between them, creating a toxic environment that amplifies their isolation and paranoia.

In the face of guilt, the characters attempt to escape or rationalize their emotions, but the house seems to hold them captive, forcing them to confront their past actions.  As the story progresses, both Emily and Freddie become increasingly overwhelmed by the guilt that pervades their lives, leaving them questioning whether redemption is even possible or if they are doomed to remain trapped in a cycle of regret.

Betrayal and Deception

Betrayal is another powerful theme explored in We Live Here Now.  The story’s central betrayal is Emily’s affair with her boss, which remains a secret from Freddie, casting a shadow over their marriage.

Emily’s internal conflict is not just about the affair itself but also about the emotional disconnection that it signifies.  She feels torn between the past and the present, between the love she once felt for Freddie and the alienation that now defines their relationship.

Her affair becomes a manifestation of her emotional and psychological struggles, highlighting how deeply personal betrayals can shape the trajectory of relationships.

Freddie’s own betrayal lies in his emotional neglect of Emily after her accident, as well as his secretive behavior regarding his gambling addiction.  He is trapped in his own lies and deception, creating a divide between himself and Emily that grows ever wider.

Despite his external appearance of support, his internal conflict and dishonesty create a deep sense of distrust.  This sense of betrayal is further amplified when Emily uncovers the affair between their friends, Cat and Mark.

Her feelings of betrayal are compounded by her own secret knowledge of their infidelities, pushing her to take matters into her own hands by blackmailing Mark.  The sense of betrayal becomes a catalyst for Emily’s growing paranoia and disillusionment, exacerbating her already fragile state of mind.

The theme of betrayal extends beyond the characters’ relationships.  The house itself seems to harbor its own history of betrayal, with a dark past that includes violence and deceit.

The way the house influences the characters’ actions and decisions suggests that betrayal is not just an interpersonal issue but something deeply ingrained in the very fabric of the place.  The house acts as a physical manifestation of the emotional betrayal the characters face, intensifying their sense of isolation and mistrust.

Supernatural and Psychological Trauma

The supernatural elements in We Live Here Now serve as both a literal and metaphorical representation of the characters’ psychological states.  Emily’s experiences of strange noises, unexplained events, and an eerie presence in the house mirror her emotional and psychological trauma.

Her struggle with post-sepsis syndrome, which includes sensory distortions, plays a significant role in blurring the lines between reality and delusion.  The unsettling atmosphere of the house seems to exacerbate her symptoms, making it difficult for her to distinguish between the real and the imagined.

The house’s ghostly presence—whether the result of supernatural forces or Emily’s fractured mind—acts as a reflection of her inner turmoil, amplifying her fear and anxiety.

Freddie, in contrast, dismisses the supernatural occurrences as figments of Emily’s imagination, refusing to acknowledge the psychological strain she is under.  His inability to empathize with her emotional distress leads to further tension between them, as he remains emotionally distant and dismissive of her concerns.

However, as the supernatural events intensify, Freddie begins to question his own perception of reality, hinting at the possibility that the house’s eerie presence is not entirely in Emily’s mind.

The house itself, with its dark and mysterious past, seems to act as a magnet for emotional and psychological trauma.  The story of the house is steeped in tragedy, and the spirits of those who lived there before seem to haunt the present, influencing the new occupants.

The supernatural occurrences in the house suggest that it holds a sinister power that amplifies the emotional scars of its residents, trapping them in a cycle of psychological suffering.  As Emily’s paranoia grows, the line between the supernatural and her mental breakdown becomes increasingly blurred, leaving readers to question whether the house is truly haunted or if her trauma is the true source of the terror she experiences.

Isolation and Self-Destruction

Isolation is a pervasive theme in We Live Here Now, both in a literal and emotional sense.  Emily feels increasingly isolated from Freddie, as their once-close relationship deteriorates under the weight of guilt, betrayal, and unspoken truths.

The physical isolation of Larkin Lodge, situated in the remote countryside, mirrors the emotional isolation Emily feels in her marriage.  The house becomes a symbol of her detachment from the world she once knew, a place where her fears and insecurities grow in isolation.

The emotional distance between Emily and Freddie deepens as they are both consumed by their own personal struggles, leading them to a point of no return.

Freddie’s emotional detachment is another form of isolation.  While outwardly supportive, he remains unable to truly connect with Emily, trapped in his own feelings of guilt and shame.

His gambling addiction and emotional infidelity further isolate him from Emily, creating an insurmountable divide between them.  The lack of communication between the two characters highlights how isolation can drive individuals to self-destructive behavior, as they retreat into their own worlds of guilt, regret, and denial.

The house itself also embodies the theme of isolation.  Its cold, imposing rooms and dark history suggest a place where emotional and psychological wounds are left to fester.

The eerie, oppressive atmosphere of Larkin Lodge creates an environment where the characters’ darkest fears and desires come to the surface, pushing them further into isolation.  As Emily grapples with her trauma and Freddie with his guilt, both are ultimately consumed by the house’s power, leading them down a path of self-destruction.

Redemption and Freedom

Throughout We Live Here Now, the characters struggle with the possibility of redemption, not only from the house but from their own inner demons.  Emily’s search for answers regarding the house’s history and her obsessive need to uncover its secrets reflect her desire for freedom from the emotional and psychological chains that bind her.

Her quest to help the spirit of Sally find peace becomes symbolic of her own desire for redemption, as she seeks to free herself from the burdens of guilt and regret that weigh on her.

Freddie, too, yearns for redemption, though he is consumed by shame and self-loathing.  His addiction to gambling and his emotional neglect of Emily reflect his struggle to break free from his own destructive patterns.

However, his inability to confront his mistakes prevents him from achieving true freedom, and his fantasies about escaping his debts or even Emily’s death suggest that he may be beyond redemption.

The house, with its dark past and malevolent influence, offers no easy path to redemption.  Instead, it serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of trauma and guilt.

The house’s power over its inhabitants suggests that true freedom may be unattainable, as they are caught in a cycle of suffering, regret, and unresolved emotional pain.  In the end, the story leaves the characters with the haunting realization that redemption may remain elusive, and they are doomed to face the consequences of their actions in an inescapable cycle of torment.