Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

171 reviews

dark emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book is an investigation into the mind of a character who’s thoughts and feelings would usually remain closed to the outside world. It’s a great depiction of the complexities of mental illness written during the 1950’s.

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I really need to reread this one.

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

While the show is amazing, probably one of my favorite series of all time, I do think it pales in comparison to Jackson’s psychological horror. There were times where I felt dizzy from being in Eleanor’s mind. Spookies. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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dark slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It’s all about the dread in this classic horror story. All the gothic atmosphere, a brilliantly unsettling opening, bumps in the night, paranormal happenings, and a small cast of characters who prove to be quite captivating and elusive. The way Jackson crafts Eleanor and her unraveling is masterful. I love that you’re constantly unsettled throughout and left at the end with more questions than answers. I’m glad I finally read this one as well as We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I’d be hard pressed to choose a favourite between the two. The audiobooks narrated by Bernadette Dunne we’re very entertaining listening experiences. 

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