The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson | Book Review | No Spoilers

Summary

In this book review of *The Haunting of Hill House* by Shirley Jackson, the reviewer shares their experience reading this classic horror novel. They describe the eerie, psychological suspense of the story, set in a sentient mansion, and the tension between its four central characters: Eleanor, Theodora, Luke, and Dr. Montague. While praising Jackson's ability to create a chilling atmosphere, the reviewer points out issues with character differentiation, particularly between Eleanor and Theodora. Despite these flaws, the book is recommended as a must-read for horror fans, especially those who enjoy psychological depth in their scary stories.

Takeaways

• 😀 The reviewer discusses their experience with the classic horror novel 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson, highlighting the book's significance during the spooky season.
• 😀 They mention owning the Penguin cover of the book, which they find gives it a classic horror vibe, despite its shiny appearance.
• 😀 The reviewer was introduced to the story through the Netflix series, but emphasizes that the series deviates significantly from the book.
• 😀 They recommend reading the book first before watching the series to avoid confusion about character differences and plot changes.
• 😀 The novel follows four main characters—Luke, Theodora, Dr. Montague, and Eleanor—who stay in the haunted Hill House, with the house itself being almost sentient.
• 😀 The reviewer appreciates the book for its spooky atmosphere and psychological tension, mentioning how the house plays games with the characters mentally and emotionally.
• 😀 They rated the book 4 stars, citing that Shirley Jackson’s writing style can be hard to connect with at times, particularly with her older works from the 60s.
• 😀 A primary criticism is the similarity between the characters of Eleanor and Theodora, which caused some confusion for the reviewer. They speculate this may be intentional, with the house potentially focusing on them both due to their similar traits.
• 😀 The reviewer contrasts this book with Jackson's other works, such as 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' and 'The Lottery,' where the characters are more distinct and easier to follow.
• 😀 The review highlights the book’s psychological horror elements, which are more impactful than traditional ghost stories, making it a standout in the genre and influencing future horror stories.
• 😀 Overall, while the reviewer had some reservations, particularly about character development, they highly recommend the book, noting it’s a must-read for horror fans and invites others to share their thoughts on the character similarities.

Q & A

What is the overall tone of the book review?

The tone of the review is casual, conversational, and light-hearted. The reviewer uses humor and informal language to engage with the audience while discussing the book.

What did the reviewer think of the Penguin cover edition of 'The Haunting of Hill House'?

The reviewer finds the Penguin cover edition 'nice' and believes it works well for the book, despite being shiny. They mention it gives off a 'classic horror vibe' due to the creepy mansion featured on the cover.

How did the reviewer discover 'The Haunting of Hill House'?

The reviewer was introduced to the story through the Netflix series, which they note is loosely based on the book. They suggest reading the book first, as the Netflix adaptation differs significantly from the novel.

What was the reviewer’s experience with the book's writing style?

The reviewer notes that Shirley Jackson’s writing style can be difficult to follow at times, especially for modern readers. They had to reread certain passages and give the book some leeway due to its older style (written in the 1960s).

What was the reviewer’s rating for the book, and why?

The reviewer gave the book a 4-star rating. They mention that while the book is well-written overall and provides a strong atmosphere of suspense and psychological horror, they had issues with the characters of Eleanor and Theodora being too similar at the beginning.

What is the main premise of 'The Haunting of Hill House'?

The story follows four characters who stay at the haunted Hill House: Luke (the heir to the mansion), Theodora (a Bohemian assistant), Dr. Montague (an occult scholar), and Eleanor (a fragile, isolated woman with a past of poltergeist encounters). The house’s haunting becomes more intense, focusing particularly on Eleanor.

Why did the reviewer find it difficult to distinguish between Eleanor and Theodora?

The reviewer felt that Eleanor and Theodora were written too similarly, especially in the beginning. This similarity made it hard to tell them apart, which was unusual since the reviewer has found Shirley Jackson’s characters distinct in other works.

What is the reviewer’s theory regarding the similarity between Eleanor and Theodora?

The reviewer speculates that the house may have been trying to choose between Eleanor and Theodora as its victim, which could explain why they were written so similarly in the early parts of the book. However, they acknowledge this theory is speculative.

What aspect of the book did the reviewer find most compelling?

The reviewer was most impressed with the psychological horror aspect of the book. They found the house itself to be a sentient entity that mentally and emotionally manipulates the characters, creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the novel.

What advice does the reviewer give to readers regarding when to read 'The Haunting of Hill House'?

The reviewer suggests that 'The Haunting of Hill House' is a perfect book to read during the start of spooky season, particularly in September, as it captures the eerie mood of fall and sets the tone for the rest of the Halloween season.