servemethesky 's review for:

The Sundial by Shirley Jackson

4.0

dark funny mysterious 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

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The Sundial was such a strange read! It fits right into Shirley Jackson’s repertoire, though it feels a bit different. There’s a big, spooky house full of rich people who isolate themselves from the villagers and feel superior to them. Shitty people and great social commentary. And all the horror vibes—windows shattering, a foggy pass, a creepy man, a vision/prophecy, getting lost in a maze, not being able to escape the situation you’re in, etc. This was much funnier than some other more famous horror, though, like Hill House or We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

The characters are downright horrible (they’re not supposed to be likable, folks!) and constantly sniping at each other. The ending was pretty perfect, coming full circle in a way I somehow didn’t see coming at all. I loved Fancy as the child who kept wisely pointing out to the adults that in this world or the post-doomsday one, you’re going to be your same old unhappy self. So good!

Would recommend this if you love Shirley Jackson’s short stories—it felt most reminiscent of those to me.