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zanoubia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
nayelyr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
persimmons's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
erboe501's review against another edition
5.0
I am on a Shirley Jackson kick right now, and I am loving it. I really enjoyed her haunted thriller (The Haunting of Hill House), and while this is different in many ways (no overt supernatural elements), the spooky moodiness is still the same. The female protagonist consumed with her own thoughts reminds me of the woman in Hill House.
Hangsaman is about a self-absorbed young girl off to her first year of college. She doesn't fit in, which doesn't bother her. She knows she is far superior to everyone else. She constantly structures a narrative about herself in her head, something more interesting than the reality around her. I loved some of the passages about college girls. So accurate, even today in the 21st century. While the ending is a little confusing (I'm not sure exactly what happens), it is beautifully written and hits the right, dreamy (or nightmarish?) tone.
This book has only increased my desire to read all of Shirley Jackson. What a strange mind. But one I with which I want to converse!
Hangsaman is about a self-absorbed young girl off to her first year of college. She doesn't fit in, which doesn't bother her. She knows she is far superior to everyone else. She constantly structures a narrative about herself in her head, something more interesting than the reality around her. I loved some of the passages about college girls. So accurate, even today in the 21st century. While the ending is a little confusing (I'm not sure exactly what happens), it is beautifully written and hits the right, dreamy (or nightmarish?) tone.
This book has only increased my desire to read all of Shirley Jackson. What a strange mind. But one I with which I want to converse!
kristinaarike's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
5.0
sjw_creates's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I can see this book being a big inspiration for Mona Awad’s Bunny. Every Shirley Jackson is a 5* from me.
anjsi's review against another edition
dark
tense
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
4.0