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shellydav's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I discovered Jackson like most do--through her much-anthologized short story, "The Lottery." I read the Haunting of Hill House as a teen and admit that then, I was too green a reader to afford her the appreciation she deserves. Recently, I picked up a used copy of We Have Always Lived in the Castle and devoured it in a day. I was hooked by Jackson's word choices, use of symbols, and keen ability to communicate the darkest elements of our humanity. I decided to dive into the author's oeuvre.
Enter Hangsaman.
Rather than rehash the synopsis, I'll share some key themes and observations. At its core, Hangsaman is about an observant and creative young-woman trying to discover herself and her place in the world. Natalie Waite goes away to college without a plan other than to move away from her family. The story is her self-discovery. But Natalie isn't a trope character. Let's just say that she has an unusual imagination...
The story meanders through universal themes and characters: self-absorbed people, "Mean girls," classism; and the loner's struggle with isolation, false friendships and fitting in. And today's readers, who have likely watched an episode or two of Law & Order: SVU, will no doubt analyze Natalie's mindset and situation more sharply than perhaps readers could in 1951.
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape
sakuramom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
aubrey_rose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Minor: Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
econsidine's review against another edition
4.25
Disclaimer: I have yet to see a cover or description for this book that actually fits the feeling of the book. It sets the reader up for disappointment & confusion even though the book itself is great. Which is weird, because many of her other books have very cool, very accurate covers.
Major content warning for getting lost in the woods/solipsism/hallucinations
Minor: Misogyny, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault
dangerousaudino's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault
another_dahlia's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Abortion, and Suicide
danidamico's review against another edition
3.5
Si bien la novela tiene un narrador en tercera persona, la narración está tan focalizada en Natalie que produce el efecto de una primera persona poco confiable, que hace dudar al lector constantemente sobre qué es real y qué no. Es increíble la enorme influencia que Shirley Jackson ha tenido en la literatura actual; pienso en la obra de Ottessa Moshfegh (Eileen, My Year of Rest and Relaxation, Death in Her Hands), Boy Parts de Eliza Clark y demás autoras. No sé si todas han leído a Jackson, pero sí estoy segura de que la literatura de los últimos años no sería lo mismo sin ella.
Dicho todo esto, Hangsaman es el texto de Jackson que menos me gustó de los que llevo leídos. Para empezar, creo que yo no estaba en el mejor estado mental para leerlo (es un libro bastante oscuro). Además, en mi opinión, el libro no logra mantener la tensión y el ritmo como en lo que considero su obra maestra, We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Esta es una novela que va y viene, por momentos divaga, tiene párrafos que resultan excesivos. Sigo creyendo que lo mejor de la autora son sus cuentos y su última novela publicada en vida, la que mencioné recién. También The Haunting of Hill House es una obra superior. De todos modos, siempre es un placer leerla, me inspira muchísmo.
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
gptrll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Rape
outerscout's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
toffishay's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion