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challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow. I was expecting to enjoy this book based on its reputation and how much I liked Mike Flanagan’s Netflix adaptation, and it exceeded expectations! Jackson’s prose is *chef’s kiss* so good. The characters are so well-written: no one is explained to you, not even Eleanor, whose interiority is most in view. The dialogue is punchy and sharp. And the spooky factor is top-notch. Also, it seems very clearly to be a story about queer awakening, longing, and isolation that’s both profound and devastating. All around great book, and it deserves its place as one of the best ghost stories ever written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Quite spooky, and I loved how much of it remained mysterious. It made me appreciate the Flanaghan adaptation even more, seeing what had been used and how. I'm also really curious to watch the first movie adaptation (the one with Catherine Zeta-Jones was... well, maybe tried to explain too much, and went for spectacular above all else).
But back to the novel itself. It was very atmospheric, more psychological than I expected, with the characters' emotions and behaviour progressively hightened. I would love to read essays about Eleanor and especially Theo (may have gotten a bit of a headstart on that one).
But back to the novel itself. It was very atmospheric, more psychological than I expected, with the characters' emotions and behaviour progressively hightened. I would love to read essays about Eleanor and especially Theo (may have gotten a bit of a headstart on that one).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Blood
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Car accident
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To be honest, I didn't expect to like this so much. I knew it was different from the Netflix show and classics are always a hit or miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one a lot. The writing is great, the atmosphere fantastic, I liked the characters and their dynamics. I didn't like the ending that much, though. But the more I think about it, the more I understand and appreciate it. There is just something that bothers me about it. Maybe it was too abrupt, maybe I needed a little more time at the end? Maybe I was identifying with Eleanor too much?
I kind of wish I had read the book before I watched the show. It is a different story, but it still influenced my reading of the book, my expectations, and the way I saw the characters. Can't say I was surprised by most of the things that happened here. I'm curious how I would have felt the other way around.
I kind of wish I had read the book before I watched the show. It is a different story, but it still influenced my reading of the book, my expectations, and the way I saw the characters. Can't say I was surprised by most of the things that happened here. I'm curious how I would have felt the other way around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
and they were roommates???
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Death, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Gaslighting
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol
Moderate: Grief, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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:
No
A nice book to end the year. This gothic horror novel is perfect for those who enjoy subtle terror and a hint of fear. The premise concerns four main characters (Dr. Montague, Elanor, Theodora, and Luke) who were assembled at Hill House hoping to find scientific proof of the supernatural. During their stay at the peculiar house, various disturbances begin to occur and we can see Elanor slowly losing touch with what is real and what is not. It's never directly stated but the hints that slowly build into the crescendo of the final pages depicting Elanor's final actions show that something has gone very wrong with this experiment. I also was pleasantly surprised by the subtle lesbian energy between Theodora and Elanor. Completely was not expecting that going into this book. Lastly, I absolutely detested Mrs. Montague as a character. Some of her spirit writings did contribute to the subtle phenomenon directed towards Elanor but her personality is incredibly grating. Her character aside I definitely would recommend reading this around Halloween.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Abandonment
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A venture back to the classic horror genre for me and my first haunted house read. A slow burn story which focuses far more on atmospheric horror than graphic horror. I'd make sure to keep the lights on while you read this one.
For being written quite a while ago, I found the language easy to read and understand, there were a couple of times I had to get the dictornary out but aside from that it was easy to immerse myself in the story. The focus on the atmosphere and the slow and gradual build up of the horror aspects kept me on my toes throughout the whole novel. While it was a relatively short novel, the suspence felt like a lifetime. I was not expecting the ending and I still can't quite figure some aspects of the story out. Who really was haunting Hill House if there even was anyone there?
The only letdown for me was my lack of understanding of certain plot points and character behaviour. There was the odd occasion where I wasn't certain which character was speaking and I would have to go back and re-read some sections. This didn't detract too much from the pace of the story.
For being written quite a while ago, I found the language easy to read and understand, there were a couple of times I had to get the dictornary out but aside from that it was easy to immerse myself in the story. The focus on the atmosphere and the slow and gradual build up of the horror aspects kept me on my toes throughout the whole novel. While it was a relatively short novel, the suspence felt like a lifetime. I was not expecting the ending and I still can't quite figure some aspects of the story out. Who really was haunting Hill House if there even was anyone there?
The only letdown for me was my lack of understanding of certain plot points and character behaviour. There was the odd occasion where I wasn't certain which character was speaking and I would have to go back and re-read some sections. This didn't detract too much from the pace of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Car accident, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood
Minor: Alcohol