The Fair Folk of Mullarkey Inspiration - Kiso House

This article is a discussion about Kiso House that appears in Black Annis Year. If you haven’t read the book yet, please skip this article for now. There will be spoilers.

I feel that Black Annis Year would be suitable for book clubs and discussion groups because there is a lot going on thematically. I added a few questions specifically about Kiso House at the end of this article, but for more prompts, visit the Book Club Discussion page. 

Now onto Kiso House. This is, of course, the strange house that Jamie built on Equinox Farm. Elenna moved into it after their first separation during Covid lockdowns, and they were married there. It was inspired by Jamie’s love for the Japanese culture after he spent time in the far east.

Check out the unusual layout of Kiso house in the map below. It is laid out in a “U” shape with a zen garden in courtyard. There are 8 large rooms and the inner wall of the U is floor-to-ceiling glass with paper screens separating the rooms. The only other windows are high up on the outer walls and the decor is minimal and austere.

Jamie loved the house and Elenna loved Jamie, so she tried to love the Kiso House too. But she finds it completely impractical as a farm house. And without Jamie to fill it with his boyish exuberance, she also finds it cold and lonely.

Here’s a fun fact about Kiso House, it was inspired by a real house that I almost purchased with my then-boyfriend over 30 years ago. We were young and looking for our first home. We came across this odd house, much like Kiso, that wasn’t even finished being built. Apparently, it was a couple’s dream home, but they divorced before it was finished. My BF was enthralled by the unique design. But even back then, when children were only a sparkle in my eye, I couldn’t see raising a family in there.

We didn’t end up buying the house, but I never forgot it, and I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to live there. It seemed like the perfect setting for Elenna to discover that she's missing more than her husband.

Kiso House Discussion Questions:

What was your favorite element of Kiso house? The zen garden? The massive tub room?

Do you think Elenna was right to tear down Jamie’s decor and put up her own?

How do you think Elenna’s feelings for Jamie affected her like or dislike of Kiso House?

How did Kiso House fit into the themes of overcoming grief and self-discovery?

What would be your dream home to live in?

Discover more of Mullarkey Mills on the Maps Page.