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

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book was somehow everything I expected it to be and nothing like I expected it to be all at once. It was so creepy, and the atmosphere was incredible. I loved it so much. The characters were so compelling to read about too, especially Theodora and Eleanor. I loved watching Eleanor's character and how she was impacted by the house over the course of the story. I also loved how the horror aspects are more subtle except for a few very key moments, and it was all blended and weaved together beautifully in my opinion. It was really good, and the ending was shocking, but in a different kind of way. It was the kind of ending that you felt like you saw coming, but then you feel like it's been avoided until you realize, almost at the same time all of the characters do, that it's not at all, and could never have been avoided. At least, that was my experience reading this book, and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had with a book like this. Haunted house stories are always very fun, and I have to say, I couldn't have picked a better book to start off October with!
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