#BookReview The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
It didn't wow me and that was surprising :(
My Thoughts:
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Horror Fiction, First Published 1959
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
Horror Fiction, First Published 1959
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
The classic supernatural thriller by an author who helped define the genre
First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
"The house was vile. . . Hill House is vile, it is diseased, get away from here at once."
I’m stingy with my stars and gave out five of them to Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle. It had it all; quirky characters, creepy goings-on and dreadful deeds and I was expecting similarly great things from this classic.
Perhaps my expectations were too high or maybe I just wasn’t in the mood because I found this one slower than cold molasses with slightly over-the-top characters whose plight never grabbed me. It took me well over a week to finish this skinny little book. I know I’m slow but that’s ridiculous even for me. I’d pick it up, read a few pages and fall asleep. Once I even dropped the edge of this cursed book on my face as I nodded off and woke up with a welt on my chin. At least my husband, the NON reader I might add, had a great laugh. And still I plundered on. . .
In the end, I never did connect with the story and it wasn’t able to infect me with insidious dread. I can’t quite pinpoint what went wrong besides the fact that there was too little spooky and too much yapping for me. What with all of the talking these people did, I never did learn much about them. The descriptions of the house were divine, however, and I would love to live there.
I’m stingy with my stars and gave out five of them to Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle. It had it all; quirky characters, creepy goings-on and dreadful deeds and I was expecting similarly great things from this classic.
Perhaps my expectations were too high or maybe I just wasn’t in the mood because I found this one slower than cold molasses with slightly over-the-top characters whose plight never grabbed me. It took me well over a week to finish this skinny little book. I know I’m slow but that’s ridiculous even for me. I’d pick it up, read a few pages and fall asleep. Once I even dropped the edge of this cursed book on my face as I nodded off and woke up with a welt on my chin. At least my husband, the NON reader I might add, had a great laugh. And still I plundered on. . .
In the end, I never did connect with the story and it wasn’t able to infect me with insidious dread. I can’t quite pinpoint what went wrong besides the fact that there was too little spooky and too much yapping for me. What with all of the talking these people did, I never did learn much about them. The descriptions of the house were divine, however, and I would love to live there.
I'd Recommend Reading This One Instead
I didn't end up loving this one either. I wanted more from it. But you're right; the house sounded very cool. :)
ReplyDeleteI probably should've read it when I bought it - a decade or two ago!
DeleteOh...I was so expecting this to have wowed you! I think I'll add We Have Always Lived in the Castle. to my TBR instead.
ReplyDeleteI know, I was sad :( I much prefer We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
DeleteI thought the movie was okay but didn't think the book would was for me. I'll check out the one you suggested though.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's quite odd and dark. I think you'll like it.
DeleteI haven't read this author before but I have experienced the whole book hitting you in the face when you fall asleep reading thing. I hope your next read is worth staying up for.
ReplyDeleteHa, I'm glad I'm not the only that has happened to!
DeleteI never much liked this one-I found it dull.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was. Too much blah, blah, blah.
Deleteyup any boos but especially horror and thrillers you really need to connect with them to enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is hard to finish when I just don't care.
DeleteToo much yapping. lol Better luck next time.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thanks, Sherry!
Delete