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shellydav's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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 ranked this so high in appreciation of Jackson's writing skill and for the message that the book communicates. I am a Shirley Jackson admirer. Others may not feel satisfied by the ending, nor enjoy this book as I did.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape
sakuramom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
aubrey_rose's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
econsidine's review against another edition
4.25
Weird, unsettling, psychological, and full of way too relatable awkward social interactions. A book that is much more about vibes than plot, even more so than her other works.
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
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault
dangerousaudino's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault
another_dahlia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- 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
Content Warnings
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
challenging
dark
3.5
Este es el libro más extraño de Shirley Jackson que leí hasta ahora. Es su segunda novela y relata de un modo pesadillesco, por momentos alucinatorio, las experiencias de Natalie, una chica de 17 años que se muda para empezar su educación universitaria. A lo largo de tres capítulos, Jackson nos sumerge en la mente de la protagonista, que parece estar atravesando una especie de crisis tras un episodio traumático. Cómo escribí al comienzo, es un libro muy extraño, en el que aparecen personajes como por arte de magia, sin ningún tipo de introducción, y tampoco se vuelve sobre puntos importantes en la trama. Sin embargo, tiene ese estilo tan único y cautivante de Jackson que te impulsa a seguir leyendo. Hay una atmósfera ominosa y opresiva excelentemente lograda, sentís que en cualquier momento podría pasar algo terrible.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
gptrll's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Rape
outerscout's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
3.25
typically love my shirley jackson, but i think i went into this one anticipating a different story than i got. i still enjoyed it, especially natalie as a character and the portrayal of trauma & dissociation. very introspective book without much of a defined plot. a lot left unsaid for the reader to interpret on their own. i feel like it might hit better upon a reread with adjusted expectations
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
toffishay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Natalie is such an interesting character. She is so sad and lonely and is overlooked and beaten down by the how small her world it. As such, Natalie lives so much in her head. This is such an interior book, which I think can make it challenging. The POV shifts from a more omnipotent one to Natalie herself and maybe she is the omnipotent narrator in her own story...or she is just one character moving around. If you enjoyed Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh, I think that you will enjoy this book. It's quite tense, especially at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion