the luminous outset became the interminable middle

I'm counting the entire first part that has sections within it numbered as one chapter; I didn't want to risk only counting the section marked 1 and having everyone else count the full thing; also, I got super into the book as I was reading it.

I did like how the house did feel like a viable presence at times.

The first section does a good job of setting the stage, but I do think the book is strongest as it builds.

Dr. Montague would completely try to study the house in Crimson Peak if he could. I don't know if the preview offered it, but Del Toro's introduction was a great read as well, discussing the nature and necessity of horror.