Scan barcode
lilifane's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
To be honest, I didn't expect to like this so much. I knew it was different from the Netflix show and classics are always a hit or miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one a lot. The writing is great, the atmosphere fantastic, I liked the characters and their dynamics. I didn't like the ending that much, though. But the more I think about it, the more I understand and appreciate it. There is just something that bothers me about it. Maybe it was too abrupt, maybe I needed a little more time at the end? Maybe I was identifying with Eleanor too much?
I kind of wish I had read the book before I watched the show. It is a different story, but it still influenced my reading of the book, my expectations, and the way I saw the characters. Can't say I was surprised by most of the things that happened here. I'm curious how I would have felt the other way around.
I kind of wish I had read the book before I watched the show. It is a different story, but it still influenced my reading of the book, my expectations, and the way I saw the characters. Can't say I was surprised by most of the things that happened here. I'm curious how I would have felt the other way around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
bethmerci's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
and they were roommates???
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, and Death of parent
luv2readbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Child death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-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
4.0
I can see why this is a classic horror story, and I imagine that it would translate quite well into a visual medium. While very well written, I didn't find myself gripped by it.
Lots of interesting details that I think may well have been picked up in later horror as worth developing - the cook with the very persistent phrasing and timing of events; the angles of the house that are just a bit off; how the haunting episodes occur.
What didn't work for me was the characterisation. The viewpoint character, Eleanor, was the best fleshed out, but only because we get a lot of what is going on in their head. The others were a bit flat. Particularly the two characters introduced later in the book, who were just a bit too close to farce, and seemed to be in a completely different genre of story. This might have been meant to intensify the creepiness the others were experiencing, but instead it managed to cheapen it.
Lots of interesting details that I think may well have been picked up in later horror as worth developing - the cook with the very persistent phrasing and timing of events; the angles of the house that are just a bit off; how the haunting episodes occur.
What didn't work for me was the characterisation. The viewpoint character, Eleanor, was the best fleshed out, but only because we get a lot of what is going on in their head. The others were a bit flat. Particularly the two characters introduced later in the book, who were just a bit too close to farce, and seemed to be in a completely different genre of story. This might have been meant to intensify the creepiness the others were experiencing, but instead it managed to cheapen it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
foxclcves's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Death, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, and Gaslighting
starlit_pathways's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
Moderate: Grief, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
angelfoodcakes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I found the characters and atmosphere extremely compelling in this, however the ending felt rushed to me. I adored the story otherwise.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
rookdigoo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Car accident, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent
bookish_bry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.75
I am very impressed by the writing of The Haunting of Hill House. Jackson does and artful job at making the novel itself reflect the setting of Hill House. The text is beautiful, but there is a darkness to it too. I also love an unreliable narrator which we get beautifully in Eleanor. It's fascinating to watch her sense of reality denigrate more and more every chapter. I like how the characters all interact with each other and the whimsical nature to some parts. It was a very enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, and Car accident
Moderate: Abandonment and Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Blood, and Death of parent
There is a good amount of unreality in this novel.kennedyevermore's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This book is a masterclass for writing terror. This book isn’t very “scary” in a traditional sense, but it’s terrifying because you never actually see anything scary. You just feel the characters fear and are unsure of what’s real and what’s in Eleanor’s head.
Speaking of Eleanor, she might be one of my favorite protagonists ever. All of the characters in this short book are fleshed out and interesting, but Eleanor is perfectly written. Her struggles with anxiety, depression, and disassociation are relatable and it’s tragic to see her completely spiral by the end of the book.
Her (romantic?) relationship with Theodora is also a highlight of the book for me.
Despite being horror, this book is also very funny. The dialogue is quick and witty and the chapter that introduces Mrs.Montague was laugh out loud funny.
This might be my new favorite horror novel and I’m so glad that I read it.
Speaking of Eleanor, she might be one of my favorite protagonists ever. All of the characters in this short book are fleshed out and interesting, but Eleanor is perfectly written. Her struggles with anxiety, depression, and disassociation are relatable and it’s tragic to see her completely spiral by the end of the book.
Her (romantic?) relationship with Theodora is also a highlight of the book for me.
Despite being horror, this book is also very funny. The dialogue is quick and witty and the chapter that introduces Mrs.Montague was laugh out loud funny.
This might be my new favorite horror novel and I’m so glad that I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Death of parent