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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
“God God- whose hand was I holding?” while different from the show I think it was still very enjoyable and the atmosphere was done really well
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Hill House brings a great ambiance of mystery and creeping horror, but some of the mannerisms of the characters were a bit odd (and not in the spooky way). The payout at the end was a bit strange too?
Not sure if this is Shirley Jackson's style or just a symptom of the book, as "The Lottery" seemed very different in comparison. Still, I recommend giving it a read.
Not sure if this is Shirley Jackson's style or just a symptom of the book, as "The Lottery" seemed very different in comparison. Still, I recommend giving it a read.
When the Netflix show came out a few years ago, I bought and planned to read this book, but all the hype about how scary it was made me put it off. It's less than 200 pages and it was... not as scary as I thought it would be. It IS, however, very sinister and foreboding and sad. It's a mood. The Penguin Classics edition has a great introduction that I recommend reading first.
One of my pet fascinations is book-to-screen adaptations. I'm so interested in the writing process of translating one medium into another. And since the Netflix show is really a total reimagining of Hill House—the book is more of an inspiration than a literal story template—it was super cool to read the source material and contemplate the creative process that led to the making of that show. Picking up on the little kernels of ideas that turned into major plot points in the show, for example, or how the seeds of one character or another turned into an entire new arc for the show. The weird architecture and creepy elements of the house itself and how those were conveyed on the screen. Noticing all of that was a nerdy, writerly, spooky joy for me.
But the other element I truly enjoyed was the house itself. That shit is ominous as hell, and it's crazy how intense it gets in such a short little book, and you really never find out *why*. I think modern audiences have gotten accustomed to answers—if a house is evil there must be some REASON, right? Something the house WANTS; some inciting incident that made it that way. In this story, you're SOL.
It's just a bad house.
Poor Eleanor. :(
One of my pet fascinations is book-to-screen adaptations. I'm so interested in the writing process of translating one medium into another. And since the Netflix show is really a total reimagining of Hill House—the book is more of an inspiration than a literal story template—it was super cool to read the source material and contemplate the creative process that led to the making of that show. Picking up on the little kernels of ideas that turned into major plot points in the show, for example, or how the seeds of one character or another turned into an entire new arc for the show. The weird architecture and creepy elements of the house itself and how those were conveyed on the screen. Noticing all of that was a nerdy, writerly, spooky joy for me.
But the other element I truly enjoyed was the house itself. That shit is ominous as hell, and it's crazy how intense it gets in such a short little book, and you really never find out *why*. I think modern audiences have gotten accustomed to answers—if a house is evil there must be some REASON, right? Something the house WANTS; some inciting incident that made it that way. In this story, you're SOL.
It's just a bad house.
Poor Eleanor. :(
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a very smart, well written novel that leads the reader to question if the house really is haunted or if it’s the unique design to the house throughout the book. Even though I normally don’t enjoy slow build ups in books, I did enjoy this one. I can see how it was ahead of its time when written. Horror books now are way different but this was more psychological.
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve been wanting to read this book for several years. Originally published in 1959 under the horror genre, it is quite dated by today’s standards. However, it is a delicious rendition of mystery/horror today, albeit much more subtle and without graphic details that dull the reader’s imagination and experience. What I love so much about reading over watching movies created, is that no Hollywood producer or special effects director can simply come close to recreating the images in a reader’s mind—ALL attempts are paltry.
I also love the fact that no true conclusion can be derived, as it can be argued indefinitely if Hill House is truly haunted or if the characters actions were the true haunting. This was delightfully chilling, albeit, not overtly.
I also love the fact that no true conclusion can be derived, as it can be argued indefinitely if Hill House is truly haunted or if the characters actions were the true haunting. This was delightfully chilling, albeit, not overtly.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
there is nothing i love more than an unreliable narrator.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Big spooky house! Hill House itself is definitely a character within this book as it's labyrinth-like layout and penchant for shut doors give it personality. I thought the spooks were quite spooky but I am definitely a creature feature fellow so rattling of doors and vague whispers aren't my spook of choice. I know! It's the haunted house book and rattling of doors is it's bread and butter. I thought the biggest spook was Eleanor's mind slowly permeating into the foundations of Hill House, it's malice seeping into her and ultimately binding her to the house. This was my favourite spook. I also enjoyed that this was in the premise of an experiment which at times gave it a spoof/scary movie vibe as they were self aware it was a spooky house. At times, when spooks happened, I did feel that the characters were too non challant about it. Dr. Montague understandably but the other 3, this is their first spooky house, they should be more scared. Maybe that's part of the spook, they are deranged, spooky people so they are also of the spook. As I jump around in horror, I am greatly enjoying seeing where certain genres get their themes from and going forward in spooky houses, Hill House will be firmly pressed into my brain.