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petra_reviews_mm 's review for:
The Haunting of Hill House
by Shirley Jackson
Okay, I get it. The ending is obscure, just as it was in The Lottery. I get it. I guess that's how Jackson writers her stories. Was I satisfied? Ummm, not really...? Still 4 stars though.
First of all, I really enjoyed 95 % of the novel. I really did like the narration, the suspense, the mystery. I also liked how I could not really trust Eleanor as a narrator (or just her being the focus of the narration). I do think that I would have to read the novel again to really come to appreciate it. Do I want to read it again? Hm, not really. At least, not now.
I also loved the atmosphere of the House. It was really well done and when there was a "cold spot," I felt like I could feel it too.
I liked Theo, Luke and the Doc. They all had distinct personalities and were multilayered. That, however, cannot be said about Doc's wife and Arthur. When they appeared, I enjoyed the book less and less. Also, their reactions and dialogue were so predictable that they quickly became annoying and just boring.
I also did not like the ending. The climax was lacking and the end is just too vague. I would say the ending is the same as in The Lottery where we know what happens to Mrs. Hutchinson but it is not really described (or we do not get a comment what happens after) and I found myself wanting more.
First of all, I really enjoyed 95 % of the novel. I really did like the narration, the suspense, the mystery. I also liked how I could not really trust Eleanor as a narrator (or just her being the focus of the narration). I do think that I would have to read the novel again to really come to appreciate it. Do I want to read it again? Hm, not really. At least, not now.
I also loved the atmosphere of the House. It was really well done and when there was a "cold spot," I felt like I could feel it too.
I liked Theo, Luke and the Doc. They all had distinct personalities and were multilayered. That, however, cannot be said about Doc's wife and Arthur. When they appeared, I enjoyed the book less and less. Also, their reactions and dialogue were so predictable that they quickly became annoying and just boring.
I also did not like the ending. The climax was lacking and the end is just too vague. I would say the ending is the same as in The Lottery where we know what happens to Mrs. Hutchinson but it is not really described (or we do not get a comment what happens after) and I found myself wanting more.