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lodenfarrier's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
martin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
galpalkirk's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I hate it here so I will go to secret gardens in my mind
romethegreenwood's review against another edition
3.0
I DNFed this by accident back in the fall of 2021 (set it down and got distracted with school) and maybe I made the right call then. Which is an insane thing to say about a Shirley Jackson novel - I love her other works! But this one felt a bit meandering, and I think it just wasn’t for me. I can see echoes of what made Hill House so great, because this is also interested in watching someone go insane, but I just rarely felt enraptured the way I did with Hill House and WHALitC. It felt more like a chore to get through, and not a rewarding one in the way some litfic is. However, who am I to say THEE shirley jackson is wrong? This was fine, but it just didn’t do anything for me.
josephinecambridge's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual assault
lilysharp's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
mollymisek's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
I don’t think I totally got what was going on, and I love it for that. Stream of consciousness of a strange girl with strange friends.
laceyhsamuel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
cc9897's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
phil629's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“Hangsaman” is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that dives deep into the mind of 17-year-old Natalie Waite. The story follows Natalie as she transitions from her stifling home life to a college, grappling with her identity and mental health along the way.
Jackson’s portrayal of Natalie’s inner world is both vivid and unsettling. The novel begins with her life at home, where her relationships with her controlling father and indifferent mother leave her feeling isolated. This sense of isolation only intensifies when she goes to college, struggling to connect with others and finding solace in her vivid imagination.
One of the most intriguing aspects of “Hangsaman” is the way Jackson blurs the lines between reality and Natalie’s hallucinations. The novel’s climax is surreal and ambiguous which is something I personally do struggle with. “Hangsaman” is not a straightforward read, but its complexity and psychological depth make it a compelling story. Jackson’s skilful storytelling and rich prose create an immersive experience that stays with you and I did enjoy it.
Jackson’s portrayal of Natalie’s inner world is both vivid and unsettling. The novel begins with her life at home, where her relationships with her controlling father and indifferent mother leave her feeling isolated. This sense of isolation only intensifies when she goes to college, struggling to connect with others and finding solace in her vivid imagination.
One of the most intriguing aspects of “Hangsaman” is the way Jackson blurs the lines between reality and Natalie’s hallucinations. The novel’s climax is surreal and ambiguous which is something I personally do struggle with. “Hangsaman” is not a straightforward read, but its complexity and psychological depth make it a compelling story. Jackson’s skilful storytelling and rich prose create an immersive experience that stays with you and I did enjoy it.