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ekellek's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
full_quieting's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome Halloween read.
The paragraph where Eleanor sees Hill House for the first time actually startled me. The stark, utterly uncomplicated, unironic description made a cinematic reveal that I didn't think was possible in writing.
Cool mention of the Winchester House here in San Jose too. Great book.
The paragraph where Eleanor sees Hill House for the first time actually startled me. The stark, utterly uncomplicated, unironic description made a cinematic reveal that I didn't think was possible in writing.
Cool mention of the Winchester House here in San Jose too. Great book.
archangelesq's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The main thing you need to know before reading this is that it is a SLOW BURN. The spookiness from the house does not start until 100+ pages in. The first part is the setup of everyone trying to exist in Hill House. Eleanor has a mysterious past, and makes the perfect target for the nefarious dwelling. Her slow decent into madness was so well crafted. The creeping dread turns to fear as Eleanor begins a to lose it more and more. Then, when forced out by the other inhabitants, she wrecks her car on the property, hoping to remain forever.
This book was on top of so many lists of best horror novels of all time. I am on a horror kick, so I was trying to read more from women. Ms. Jackson did not disappoint. Once I knew it was a slow burn, I was hooked. I highly recommend this book.
This book was on top of so many lists of best horror novels of all time. I am on a horror kick, so I was trying to read more from women. Ms. Jackson did not disappoint. Once I knew it was a slow burn, I was hooked. I highly recommend this book.
jenni_elyse's review against another edition
1.0
I read The Haunting of Hill House as part of the RIP IX group read. I was really excited to read it because I had seen the 1999 movie The Haunting and while the movie was cheesy in some parts, I was definitely on the edge of my seat and a little bit afraid.
I’m so utterly disappointed with this book that I could just cry. Okay, not really, but this book was horrible! Fortunately, the book wasn’t long so I didn’t waste a lot of precious reading time.
The writing was weird. I don’t even know how to explain how it was weird. There were times that we were in Eleanor’s head, which felt really disjointed because she thought about weird things. The whole first part of the book really had no importance to the story other than to introduce us to Eleanor. I also didn’t feel like the writing was very descriptive. And, it was very plot-driven, which I’m not a huge fan of. (I like character-driven stories more. There’s more depth and feeling in character-driven stories.)
I hated the characters. The story mostly focused on Eleanor as she was the one most influenced by the house. In learning about her character, all I found was a self-centered, self-pitying, two-faced girl seeking attention. In fact, I thought all the characters were two-faced. I still don’t know who Luke and Theodora really are. The only person I felt I got to know even a little bit was Dr. Montague. He’s the only one who didn’t seem to put on airs. I despised Mrs. Montague and found her to be irritating. The only characters I really liked were Mr. and Mrs. Dudley. They at least were frank and honest.
It didn’t really seem like anything happened, other than Eleanor possibly going crazy or possibly being haunted by ghosts. I guess part of the allure of The Haunting of Hill House is not knowing if Eleanor is mentally unstable or influenced by paranormal phenomena. I went into the story expecting scary and I was really excited about that. But, only on one occasion did I get creeped out and that was because I was expecting something to happen like I saw in the movie. When it didn’t happen like the movie, it was a big let down.
I think the concept of The Haunting of Hill House was intriguing and could make for a very scary story. I just wish it had been executed better so I wasn’t left with such a huge feeling of disappointment.
I’m so utterly disappointed with this book that I could just cry. Okay, not really, but this book was horrible! Fortunately, the book wasn’t long so I didn’t waste a lot of precious reading time.
The writing was weird. I don’t even know how to explain how it was weird. There were times that we were in Eleanor’s head, which felt really disjointed because she thought about weird things. The whole first part of the book really had no importance to the story other than to introduce us to Eleanor. I also didn’t feel like the writing was very descriptive. And, it was very plot-driven, which I’m not a huge fan of. (I like character-driven stories more. There’s more depth and feeling in character-driven stories.)
I hated the characters. The story mostly focused on Eleanor as she was the one most influenced by the house. In learning about her character, all I found was a self-centered, self-pitying, two-faced girl seeking attention. In fact, I thought all the characters were two-faced. I still don’t know who Luke and Theodora really are. The only person I felt I got to know even a little bit was Dr. Montague. He’s the only one who didn’t seem to put on airs. I despised Mrs. Montague and found her to be irritating. The only characters I really liked were Mr. and Mrs. Dudley. They at least were frank and honest.
It didn’t really seem like anything happened, other than Eleanor possibly going crazy or possibly being haunted by ghosts. I guess part of the allure of The Haunting of Hill House is not knowing if Eleanor is mentally unstable or influenced by paranormal phenomena. I went into the story expecting scary and I was really excited about that. But, only on one occasion did I get creeped out and that was because I was expecting something to happen like I saw in the movie. When it didn’t happen like the movie, it was a big let down.
I think the concept of The Haunting of Hill House was intriguing and could make for a very scary story. I just wish it had been executed better so I wasn’t left with such a huge feeling of disappointment.
apple0loving0shinigami's review against another edition
5.0
Creepy in a subtle way. What's better than psychological horror?
nacht_squid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
godDAMN.
breadonelove's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
jaushe's review against another edition
3.0
Too short, show is way better. Why are any books under 500 pages
caoilo's review against another edition
4.0
Dr Montague, a man of science, has decided that he will irrevocably prove to his colleagues, in a scientific manner that yes the spiritual world does exist. To do this he has invited people he believes to be supernaturally gifted to stay in Hill House with him.
One of his guests is Eleanor, a woman in her thirties, after caring for her sick mother who has recently died, is looking for freedom and adventure.
Jackson manages a duo effect, building suspense in a way that made me want something to happen to the characters, then this extream empathy that meant when something did happen I immediately wanted it to stop.
Jackson not only manipulated words and the page but also me, the reader. As someone who does not scare easily, the idea of reading this at night, the only time I get to read, didn't bother me but I will admit now that I began to notice every noise in my house and at one point in the book even slept with my lap on one night.
I would have been more than happy to give this book five stars except that I found the end too anticlimactic for me. Thought that might have been because I thought it would be more like the film.
Though this is the book the movie is based on they are completely different but each amazing in their own way.
One of his guests is Eleanor, a woman in her thirties, after caring for her sick mother who has recently died, is looking for freedom and adventure.
Jackson manages a duo effect, building suspense in a way that made me want something to happen to the characters, then this extream empathy that meant when something did happen I immediately wanted it to stop.
Jackson not only manipulated words and the page but also me, the reader. As someone who does not scare easily, the idea of reading this at night, the only time I get to read, didn't bother me but I will admit now that I began to notice every noise in my house and at one point in the book even slept with my lap on one night.
I would have been more than happy to give this book five stars except that I found the end too anticlimactic for me. Thought that might have been because I thought it would be more like the film.
Though this is the book the movie is based on they are completely different but each amazing in their own way.