The best-known of Shirley Jackson's novels and a major inspiration for writers like Neil Gaiman and Stephen King as well as the hit Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House is a chilling story of the power of fear 'Shirley Jackson's stories are among the most terrifying ever written' Donna Tartt Alone in the world, Eleanor is delighted to take up Dr Montague's invitation to spend a summer in the mysterious Hill House. Joining them are Theodora, an artistic 'sensitive', and Luke, heir to the house. But what begins as a ...
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The best-known of Shirley Jackson's novels and a major inspiration for writers like Neil Gaiman and Stephen King as well as the hit Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House is a chilling story of the power of fear 'Shirley Jackson's stories are among the most terrifying ever written' Donna Tartt Alone in the world, Eleanor is delighted to take up Dr Montague's invitation to spend a summer in the mysterious Hill House. Joining them are Theodora, an artistic 'sensitive', and Luke, heir to the house. But what begins as a light-hearted experiment is swiftly proven to be a trip into their darkest nightmares, and an investigation that one of their number may not survive. Twice filmed as The Haunting, and the inspiration for a 10-part Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House is a powerful work of slow-burning psychological horror. 'An amazing writer ... If you haven't read her you have missed out on something marvellous' Neil Gaiman 'As nearly perfect a haunted-house tale as I have ever read' Stephen King 'The world of Shirley Jackson is eerie and unforgettable' A. M. Homes 'Shirley Jackson is one of those highly idiosyncratic, inimitable writers...whose work exerts an enduring spell' Joyce Carol Oates
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This is my all-time favorite haunted house book. I went to a book club meeting featuring this book and half the group found it "not scary" and the other half seemed somewhat mystified by the story. If "scary" to you means crazed psychopaths leaping out of the dark with meat cleavers then no, it is not scary. A house that is itself psychopathic provides maximum creep for me. Author Jackson builds this creep factor through the personal world of the central character with all the required things that go bump in the night. My copy is now so tattered I had to keep it in a plastic bag and am now buying a new copy.
quasar
Aug 6, 2013
not scary!
This is a tedious story about unlikable people, not scary at all. Read 'The Lottery' instead.
Ralphie78
Feb 23, 2012
TO much hype
The book is a good read but not as scary as people say it was.
INDINGIRL
Nov 7, 2008
Great Book
I liked the book much better than any of the movie versions !! Small book, goes too quickly though.
TinaP
Apr 18, 2007
Still a great read
The story is told from Eleanor's perspective and is very true to human nature. She alternately has very warm and cold feelings for the other guests. Added to this wonderful character study is the effect of Hill House on the company. A creepy place to start with it becomes more and more a seductive and dangerous member of the cast. A sprinkling of humor adds another facet of realism and helps to keep the mounting tension flowing, rather than being a distraction. This is a brilliantly written novel. I have seen the 1999 movie which as OK and plan to see the 1963 version soon. But, for me this story is better experienced by reading the novel. It is rich, complex, tense, thrilling and spooky. This doesn't read like a book from 1959, it is fresh and real and one of the best scary stories I have ever read.
