Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - The Haunting of Hill House

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

_fallinglight_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

2.25

This is among the most somnolent books I've ever read. The plot is bleh and the characters were impenetrable. It definitely wasn't for me. It made me appreciate WHALITC's writing a lot more, though.

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kennedyevermore's review against another edition

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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.

Content Warnings

bexi's review against another edition

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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

3.75

I'd probably rate this higher after a re-read. It was very atmospheric, which I enjoyed. However, I found it hard to follow at times. I believe that was intentional, and a smart choice on Jackson's part considering the direction she took the story in.

It wasn't very scary, more creepy and unsettling. Which is what I was hoping for because I am a soft, anxious marshmallow and need to be careful about the content I consume. If you're not a fan of gore/murder/body horror in spooky books I think this is a good option, but do check out the content warnings.

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tatiana_luz's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense slow-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

3.0

I had a hard time rating this book. When the spooky elements came in, the story was compelling. The author paints a vivid picture of the various haunts. I also loved the questions of whether it was a possession or mental breakdown. The theme of fears personified vs. skepticism and reality is well explored throughout.

The issue with this book was how long it took to build. While I am aware of the slower nature of gothic horror, it, Jackson's execution left little room for the climax of the story. Overall, however, I enjoyed the story and Jackson's writing style. I gave me the spooks I was craving without and excessive or gory violence. I would like to read more of her works.

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chaoticnostalgia's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-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

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taleofabibliophile's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

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