A review by kennedyevermore
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

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.
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