Reviews

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

hraeearl22's review against another edition

4.0

Damn, that was sad. But good. I had been craving a good ghost story, and I got what I wanted.

bonsai9795's review against another edition

1.0

This is one the hardest books I've read. Not because it was an actual difficult story I've read difficult books before, but the writing was just SO tedious. I nearly gave up but continued from sheer stubbornness and then immediately donated it (and I had a beautiful hardcover copy so to so readily give that up you know it was bad).

The narrator literally described themselves unimaginative and it certainly felt like it. Droning on and on with very little actual content. From what I remember he actually only saw the ghost once and the rest of the time he was just hearing noises although ironically then was imagining worse so perhaps he was more imaginative then he gave himself credit for. And I've read other books like this so don't get me wrong I wasn't expecting in your face horror/ gore but there was just nothing to grip the reader which was a big disappointment after enjoying the film and ADORING the play, and the play actually follows the book more! In fact of you get the chance go see the play even if you don't normally watch plays it's amazing.

Hard to say since it's usually the opposite but the film and play were both better than the book.

eazelot's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

2.0

mytrik's review

5.0

I don't know why I kept putting it off. Paapa Essiedu is one of the best narrators I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. The story came to life with this production and the emotions he brought to it made me feel with the character in a way that is rare for me. I was invested throughout the entire story. A good book on its own, but a masterpiece with Paapa Essiedu's wonderful narration!

navsisreading's review against another edition

4.0

A solid story. This one is pure vibes, and was, dare I say, pleasant to read. It didn’t scare me much as I’d hoped, but it was great because for once in a thriller, the protagonist wasn’t too dim-witted. I enjoyed the writing too, as it was a nice break from the contemporary stuff I’d been reading of late.

kirby2023's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.5

louisems's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoyed this a great deal. Well-written, truly literary modern Victorian horror, with some excellent imagery and a properly scary ghost. Not too long, either - some Victorian Gothic literature has a tendency towards self-indulgence, but Susan Hill knows just when (and how) to end a story.

jeffbuckleylvr's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

ellanorthey's review against another edition

3.0

More like a 3.75, It was freaky at parts but I guessed the end and it felt a bit slow.

brittystardust's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75