Bring the House Down
Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie, published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group on July 8, 2025, is a sharp and humorous exploration of the complexities of art and gender dynamics. This 304-page book follows theater critic Alex Lyons, who delivers a harsh one-star review of a struggling actress, Hayley Sinclair, after a brief encounter. The story unfolds as Hayley discovers the review the morning after their one-night stand, prompting her to transform her show into a viral critique of Alex, revealing the tensions between personal and professional lives.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of power, misogyny, and the duality of public personas versus private realities. As Alex grapples with the fallout of his actions, the perspective of his colleague, Sophie, adds depth to the unfolding drama, highlighting the moral complexities involved. This edition presents a blend of literary criticism and satire, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in contemporary issues within the realms of literature and performance.
Official synopsis Publisher
ONE OF GLAMOUR’S BEST BOOKS FOR BOOK CLUBS * A theater critic at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe writes a vicious one-star review of a struggling actress he has a one-night stand with in this sharply funny, feminist tinderbox.
“Excellent…brilliant…a fiery reminder that we still have so far to go when it comes to men behaving poorly and getting away with it.”–LitHub
“A binge-worthy novel that explores our obsessions, our inner critic, and who we think we are in person and in print. Intimate, real, and really funny. This one has teeth.” –Kiley Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Come and Get It and Such a Fun Age
Alex Lyons always has his mind made up by the time the curtain comes down at a performance–the show either deserves a five-star rave or a one-star pan. Anything in between is meaningless. On the opening night of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, he doesn’t deliberate over the rating for Hayley Sinclair’s show, nor does he hesitate when the opportunity presents itself to have a one-night stand with the struggling actress.
Unaware that she’s gone home with the theater critic who’s just written a career-ending review of her, Hayley wakes up at his apartment to see his scathing one-star critique in print on the kitchen table, and she’s not sure which humiliation offends her the most. So she revamps her show into a viral sensation critiquing Alex Lyons himself–entitled son of a famous actress, serial philanderer, and by all accounts a terrible man. Yet Alex remains unapologetic. As his reputation goes up in flames, he insists on telling his unvarnished version of events to his colleague, Sophie. Through her eyes, we see that the deeper she gets pulled into his downfall, the more conflicted she becomes. After all, there are always two sides to every story.
A brilliant Trojan horse of a book about art, power, misogyny, and female rage, Bring the House Down is a searing, insightful, and often hilarious debut that captures the blurred line between reality and performance.
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Bring the House Down” about?
Who is the author of “Bring the House Down”?
When was “Bring the House Down” published?
What is the ISBN for “Bring the House Down”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
