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dianas_gone_reading's review against another edition
3.0
This was written and first published in the 1950s, so it was a very different style of writing for me, and a slow start getting into it! Alot of inferences, complex vocabulary, references, and literary symbolism that reminded me of a classic book one would be required to read for a school assignment
han_tan's review against another edition
4.0
Interestingly, this book took more of a psychological route rather than being paranormal horror, which was what I was originally expecting. I have seen the show adaptation of this book before reading so I did already have some preconceived opinions. To say this book met my expectations would be a lie, but it’s also not bad either?
The reason why I say that this book is more psychological is because I believe that the horror doesn’t lie in the twistedness of the house itself but how it drove Elenor crazy. I saw a lot of reviews on this book complaining how the characters were all weirdly rude but also affection to each other, and it’s all because of the unreliable narration of Elenor. The house starts affecting Elenor halfway through the book and that’s when other characters started being unjustifiably rude to each other. Elenor starts being in such a daze and state of delirious that her recalling actions and dialogues of characters just doesn’t make sense. Elenor is also an easier target to fall for Hill House too, someone who is vulnerable and lonely.
Honestly, the scary parts in this book is not really that scary when I first read it but it definitely made me a little sleepless when I thought about it at night. My favorite scene though is probably when Elenor ran around banging on the bedroom doors, and it made me wonder if she was the person who was banging the doors all along? Also, the descriptions Shirley Jackson made of Hill House is so haunting but beautiful!! Most descriptions of the house made it on to the show and I remember all of them, they are just too iconic. Jackson is just too good with romanticizing scenery and landscapes.
However, I will not lie, I can explain how characters were mean to each other but I cannot justify the wacky dialogues that some characters say, especially in the first half of the book. Sometimes, reading conversations between Luke, Elenor, and Theo feels like an exchange between kindergarteners and not literal adults….
Anywayy, I definitely wished I could’ve read this book in one sitting, though. I feel like reading in the right environment and pacing is really important to get the maximum spook from the book
The reason why I say that this book is more psychological is because I believe that the horror doesn’t lie in the twistedness of the house itself but how it drove Elenor crazy. I saw a lot of reviews on this book complaining how the characters were all weirdly rude but also affection to each other, and it’s all because of the unreliable narration of Elenor. The house starts affecting Elenor halfway through the book and that’s when other characters started being unjustifiably rude to each other. Elenor starts being in such a daze and state of delirious that her recalling actions and dialogues of characters just doesn’t make sense. Elenor is also an easier target to fall for Hill House too, someone who is vulnerable and lonely.
Honestly, the scary parts in this book is not really that scary when I first read it but it definitely made me a little sleepless when I thought about it at night. My favorite scene though is probably when Elenor ran around banging on the bedroom doors, and it made me wonder if she was the person who was banging the doors all along? Also, the descriptions Shirley Jackson made of Hill House is so haunting but beautiful!! Most descriptions of the house made it on to the show and I remember all of them, they are just too iconic. Jackson is just too good with romanticizing scenery and landscapes.
However, I will not lie, I can explain how characters were mean to each other but I cannot justify the wacky dialogues that some characters say, especially in the first half of the book. Sometimes, reading conversations between Luke, Elenor, and Theo feels like an exchange between kindergarteners and not literal adults….
Anywayy, I definitely wished I could’ve read this book in one sitting, though. I feel like reading in the right environment and pacing is really important to get the maximum spook from the book
chiarawoo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ho apprezzato il queer coding palese nella relazione tra Eleanor e Theodora. Libro un po’ prevedibile ma è stata scritta molto bene l’atmosfera tesa che ti fa spaventare nonostante non ci siano entità paranormali descritte.
dadverine's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
youngthespian42's review against another edition
4.0
I was concerned that the show would ruin this story to me or this older work would not hold up to modern expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. The show and this book are way different and I like they both equally for very different reasons. This book was way more gothic horror than haunted house but I loved it. Great character and tragic tale. Legitimately a few of the worst spooks in my horror reading career.
happyjustreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
4.25
sararose_cozy's review against another edition
4.0
This definitely gave me an eery, creepy feel! Although it’s been ages since I’ve seen the movie, I could still picture some scenes and had to giggle because it also reminded me of Scary Movie 2.
hauntingcare's review against another edition
4.0
"the house wants me to stay"
I despise this house with my entire being, eleanor vance is me I am her
I despise this house with my entire being, eleanor vance is me I am her