Scan barcode
sneurah's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
shannonconnelly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really enjoyed reading this book and it got me hooked once I started reading. The plot is intriguing, yet slow at times, and makes you wait for the horror increasing the eeriness of the novel. Jackson succeeded in using her words to make you feel creeped out. The relationships between the characters and the relationships between the characters and themselves were detailed and created a vivid picture. Aside from the horror in the novel, this novel has deeper meaning which is why I like it so much. I would recommend reading if you like subtle horror and a reflective story about a character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent
amberrenfrey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
directorpurry's review against another edition
dark
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
I love gothic 1950s lesbians and possibly sentient, definitely malevolent houses.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Car accident
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Death of parent
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
emilymbrown's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
one of my favorite books of all time!!! love to read in the winter, and it’s great for someone who is new to horror. i personally am a very sensitive person who enjoys horror and this book is perfect for me! i’ve read it too many times to count but it’s such a classic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
haileyeden's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent
wwnter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent
botanicpanic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Car accident
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Confinement and Gaslighting
seawarrior's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In my opinion the most striking element of The Haunting of Hill House is in how effectively the story enveloped me as a reader. Though Hill House is repeatedly said to be hideous and unsettling, I fully understood Eleanor's growing attachment to it. Portions of her time there are described as idyllic and joyful, especially in regards to her whirlwind relationship with Theodora. Her pleasurable experiences provide an intriguing dissonance once the house starts to inflict disorientation and horror on its inhabitants, along with explanation as to why she does not attempt to flee immediately, or at all. I didn't really find this book frightening, but what it lacked in scares is made up with psychological complexity. Eleanor is a character whose motivations and ordeals can be examined from multiple angles, and whose narration becomes increasingly unreliable as the book goes on. She pulls us into her thought process and disorients us as Hill House has done to her. Her perspective grips and disturbs us, all while throttling towards a shocking finale that stuck with me long after reading. I'm not a person who is usually interested by ghost stories but felt this book was thoroughly engaging, memorable, and worthy of the praise it's earned over the years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Confinement and Death of parent