Reviews with content warning for Schizophrenia/Psychosis - The Haunting of Hill House

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.

Content Warnings

starlit_pathways's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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kennedyevermore's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is a masterclass for writing terror. This book isn’t very “scary” in a traditional sense, but it’s terrifying because you never actually see anything scary. You just feel the characters fear and are unsure of what’s real and what’s in Eleanor’s head.

Speaking of Eleanor, she might be one of my favorite protagonists ever. All of the characters in this short book are fleshed out and interesting, but Eleanor is perfectly written. Her struggles with anxiety, depression, and disassociation are relatable and it’s tragic to see her completely spiral by the end of the book.
Her (romantic?) relationship with Theodora is also a highlight of the book for me.

Despite being horror, this book is also very funny. The dialogue is quick and witty and the chapter that introduces Mrs.Montague was laugh out loud funny.

This might be my new favorite horror novel and I’m so glad that I read it.

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bexi's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I'd probably rate this higher after a re-read. It was very atmospheric, which I enjoyed. However, I found it hard to follow at times. I believe that was intentional, and a smart choice on Jackson's part considering the direction she took the story in.

It wasn't very scary, more creepy and unsettling. Which is what I was hoping for because I am a soft, anxious marshmallow and need to be careful about the content I consume. If you're not a fan of gore/murder/body horror in spooky books I think this is a good option, but do check out the content warnings.

Content Warnings

annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

i wouldn't say i found it scary or tense at all, just a lil spooky at times. it started off strong but kind of fell into a lull for the last third until the very end. i wanted to see

the house's control over Eleanor

play out longer; it was definitely a slow burn but there wasn't much payoff.
also, no, this book doesn't have any queer undertones. they are so blatant they're fucking overtones.

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flowingleaves's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

eviecheesepuff's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I was expecting ✨ghosts, poltergeists and jump scares ✨ Nope. This was pure psychology! I’m sorry but I will have to go into some SPOILERS to review this book, if you plan to read it…just know that it takes place in a haunted house (obs) and four very damaged idiots decide to ignore everyone’s warnings and live there for the summer to try and investigate the paranormal✌️

Lessons learned:

To me this book was trying to comment on three issues:

- On mental health. Eleanor’s unreliable mental state and actions. I wanted to hug her and take her away from the house myself. Her family's treatment towards her, deriving into anxiety and depression, was heartbreaking 🥺

-On the failure to fit into a traditional family structure. None of the mcs have a “regular” family, they have no place they belong. Eleanor just so happens to have the MOST on her shoulders.

-On queerness. This book was full of lesbians no? 🙌 The 'companion' of the previous lady of Hill House who had been hated by the family to the point of committing suicide? Theodora and her 'room mate'? Who are on a break. Eleanor wanting a life with Theo after the experiment is done. The super cute moments between them… ❤️ holding each other in bed, only admitting they had trousers when the other woman says she does too (wasn’t this gay code at some point?) 👀 When Eleanor shows revulsion to Theo’s touch (implying how hard it’s to ignore what society says you should feel)...

I think Eleanor’s demise did not come only from the house but because Theo refuses to carry on a life with her after the experiment. With nowhere to go and no one to love…what’s the point? 😭 That’s when sh*t really hit the fan for her y’all! To me THAT was the scariest part of the story.

Was I reading too much into it? Maybe...🤦‍♀️

notes

- A cup of stars. I love that. Eleanor is so precious.

- Luke is a soft boy that needs a hug.

- The Doc is kind of dumb thb I was expecting more from him. I like him in a Santa Claus kind of way… but he was NOT ready to take care of these people at all.

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