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Anonymous
Posted July 16, 2008
I thought this was a wonderful book, but much of it is very subtle. I found myself feeling sorry for the main character (Eleanor), rather than frightened for her. Her story is a very sad one, and often, it was her character that kept me interested, not the plot itself. The ending leaves many questions about the character of Eleanor and the events at Hill House, but they are questions that are better left unanswered. I was also surprised at the amount of humor in the book. Much of the dialogue between characters was actually funny and it was refreshing amongst the dark nature of the story itself. I came across The Haunting of Hill House after reading Richard Matheson's Hell House, which has a very similar plot (even a similar name). However, Matheson's novel is much more graphic and overall more frightening, I would say. Although I did not find The Haunting of Hill House especially scary, its characters drew me in and made for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.HorrorFan89
Posted April 29, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I bought the book hoping that it might be a text of House on Haunted Hill (1959) and when i read it, it was exactly that of "The Haunting" movie that came out a while ago. The Book is just as dry, and also just plain bad. The characters in the book never really become real to you. The horror in the book doesnt even come close to touching you. you could read this book in a dentist waiting room or on a plain, but dont buy it.
4 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.smp315
Posted September 27, 2011
I read this as a teenager after reading Ms. Jackson's classic short story, "The Lottery"(which I loved) in the seventh grade. It is superbly written, but one must remember from a more subtle era. We have become accustomed to a more "in your face" type of fright today. It's good to go back every once in a while and read literature that spawned interest in a genre.
For an updated, fresh story about a haunted house I suggest "The Supernaturals" by NY Times bestselling author David Golemon (Event Group Series). A Ghosthuners type TV show plans a live broadcast on Halloween night from a house with an evil past. It's clever, well-paced, creepy and even pays homage to this wonderful tale.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I love this book and reread it at least once year. The terror is understated and leaves a lot to the imagination, which makes it even more effective. Ir ia left up to your imagination what is behind the manifestations at Hill House. Is the house evil or are the manifestations caused by one or more of the participants? The chilling atmosphere is relieved by the arrival of Mrs. Montague and Arthur, a headmaster and friend of the Montagues. The busybody know it all self-styled sensitive Mrs. Montague with her ouija board and the headmaster, Arthur, are only two people who seem to be immune to sensing the presences in the house and provide comic relief. This is the quintessential ghost story and a great read.
The old black and white movie starring Julie Harris and Clare Bloom is wonderful; its only flaw was the omission of Arthur and the reduction of the character of Mrs. Montague to little more than a walk-on. I have seen a play based on the book; it has the same flaw.
As someone else stated, the remake with Catherine Zeta-Jones is an abomination, sharing little but the title with the book. The only thing that can be said for it is that it did have some impressive special effects, none of which was based on events in the book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 28, 2011
This book is a perfect ghost story. Jackson had the ability to create fear just by the way her characters and environment interact. Subtle horror permeates even the most mundane moments. I have never yet been able to find a more perfect first paragraph for a book about a haunted house. This story is flawless which is why this book has served as a template for so many other books and movies. Classy
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I had heard great things about this book for a few months now. I decided to go get it from the library. I was kink of disappointed. If you can get through the first 60 pages or so it becomes more interesting. I just really did not like how the characters talked. It really got on my nerves. I was determined to finish the book though...and did. It is an enjoyable story and I can see why so many people like it so much. For me, I just could not get over being annoyed for how they characters talked to each other.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 24, 2007
If you like to imagine-really imagine-while you read, this is a great book for it. You can almost hear the sounds, see the scenes, almost draw the floor plan of the Hill House. In some passages, you can also experience a chill sensation in your back. Its 100% terror. Smart terror.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 30, 2006
If you like this book and have never seen the original movie from the sixties, you are in for a treat. It is played on AMC and TCM periodically, and it is nothing and I do mean NOTHING like the remake with Catherine Zeta Jones. That was an abomination. The original movie is very true to the book. Just creepy from beginning to end. The book, however, remains the gold standard in the genre in my opinion. If you read only one ghost story in your lifetime, let this be the one. No gore, no blood, no need for it. Boo!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 27, 2000
I leaned back and thought about this novel after I had finished. What didn't sit well? What was the impact upon completion? There was none, I was indifferent about it and the character outcomes. Prompting this realization was the overall feeling of blandness in the writing. The novel ends rather abruptly, anti-climactically for the slow build up that preceded it. Perhaps the times are dating this 1950's story, but I don't think that's it. It was quite banal, both in terms of character development and descriptions of the plot elements. In brief synopsis, four people from various backgrounds converge on a 'haunted' mansion to spend a few days noting any disturbances. The disturbances themselves are not even portrayed w/ a sense of urgency. One of the party succumbs to madness within its walls. But none of the characters are sufficiently explored. Even Eleanor herself is not given ample space and time to allow us to believe that she is spiraling... and is she even spiraling? The wife of the doctor, and Arthur added in the last few chapters, do nothing to enhance the story and appear mainly for humour and exposition through planchette, of the prior occupants torment. Which is further, never drawn out. This was a very subtle novel; unfortunately, to the point of being uninteresting.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 11, 2013
The Haunting Of Hill House By Shirley Jackson<br />
<br />
4 Stars<br />
<br />
The Haunting Of Hill House is a classic horror story. The story begins with Dr. Montague who is a scholar of the occult wanting to have final evidence of a true haunting. He gathers information looking for the perfect people to help him. He rents Hill House for the summer. A house with a tragic past that the town it sits in won't even discuss. The house sits all alone and began it's life tragically when 80 years prior Hugh Crain built the house for his wife who died moments before even reaching it. The tragedies continue from there and no one that has lived there has for very long. Dr.Montague invites his assistant Theodora, Luke the future heir of the house and Eleanor a complicated young women who has had experience with the occult to stay with him. The story moves quickly and many things happen to it's guests. The house is powerful and it's goal is to keep it's inhabitants off kilter at all times. It builds power and takes what it wants for it's own.<br />
<br />
This was a genuinely creepy story. It's one that you really should read sitting in the dark of night. The subtlety of the horror is what I loved most. Horror novels usually do not phase me but this one did. If it touches me and gives me pause then it is definitely good. The characters all had their flaws that were exposed while there. The doctor does not know what he has really done until it's too late. I am glad that I finally picked this up and it will be with me for a long while.
Anonymous
Posted March 16, 2013
The characters in this book are the same ones in the movie The Haunting. Bur eleanor was the one that stayed with the house.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 2, 2013
This is one of my favorite ghost stories ever.
lbyeti
Posted February 15, 2013
My capsule review: THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE may be the best haunted house novel ever written. Hadn't read it for years. Ordered this new edition. The book still holds up. Quite simply: a great read!!!!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.InnocenceDiesAbbyDosent
Posted December 22, 2012
This is one of my all time favorite books.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BuWho
Posted December 4, 2012
A good read for a dark and stormy night. Having seen both of Hollywood's versions of The Haunting of Hill House, reading the book was a pleasure. Of the two movies, the 1965 movie follows the book much better and still gives me chills.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.frosta33
Posted November 28, 2012
I just don't get this book. I've read many different types of horror/scary stories from many different authors and time periods, so I consider myself very well rounded in the genre, but this is one classic scary story I just have never been able to see what all the fuss is about it. I'll admit I am a big fan of gore and twisted disturbed characters, but I don't require those things in a horror tale. There are plenty of psychological thrillers I have found quite enjoyable. That being said, I have tried twice to read this book and both times it has come up short for me. I dont even think it is abad story, I just dont see where the scary is. The book carries the warning "dont read this alone" or something to that effect emblazoned across the front cover. All I can say is either I am missing something or people living at the time of this books publication were much more faint of heart. I had hoped to be scared senseless, but instead the book just seemed to be more of look inside the head of a weird recluse. Maybe part of my problem is that I just dont find Eleanor to be a likeable character, and in not liking her or being sympathetic to her I just dont care. I will say her fate in the end was satisfying, it was just a shame it didnt happen earlier in the book and save me some time in reading. I would have liked to have learned more about the other characters, all of whom are more interesting and enjoyable. Also The part of the book I liked the most was the backstory, I would have liked it if the book had delved more into those characters and situations. When Ive talked to fans of the book, and asked them what is it that is scaring them they say something like "its psychological" or something like that. I still dont get it. Bloody clothes and bangs on doors are just not enough to give me goosebumps.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 5, 2012
expected scary and creepy. did not expect creep factor of one woman's mind. boring self centered characters. where are the genuinely scary parts?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 2, 2012
I liked reading this. It was creepy. At times the dialogue was confusing though so I gave it 4 stars.
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Posted September 2, 2012
Startling
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.jjelizalde
Posted August 9, 2012
One of, if not the best haunted house story ever. Subtle, psychological gloom builds step by step in this story. Ms. Jackson's writing style is persuasive and simply flows.
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Overview