The Haunting of Hill House (Penguin Classics) by Shirley Jackson
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.51 You Save: $6.49 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.41 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Haunting of Hill House (Penguin Classics)
Book Review: Superb
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't even begin to describe how much I love this book. Shirley Jackson manages to create a magnificent canvas of horror using only her words. Her character development is flawless and the chills she gives the reader are uncountable.Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House
Summary: 5 Stars
I love the movie (the old one with Julie Harris)and wanted to read the entire book. Can't wait to get started.Book Review: Spooky!
Summary: 5 Stars
Spooky and full of creepy moments. A great read.
Rose Pressey
Author of "My Haunted Family"
Book Review: Good Service
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a product for my son's school assignment. The product was received faster than expected. Thank you.Book Review: No one will hear you scream, in the dark, in the night...
Summary: 4 Stars
One thing is for certain when you read, The Haunting of Hill House, and that one thing is that Shirley Jackson was born to write. The Haunting of Hill House is a rare treat of her buttery prose and mysterious inuendo.
The introduction of this version of Hill House, should be read after you read the book of Hill House, it's filled with insights into the book and into Shirley's life. Definately, don't skip it but it will spoil the end of Hill House so read it afterwards and enjoy it. It is filled will interesting tidbits and information.
The Haunting of Hill House is a rare treat, as Shirley only wrote a handful of books before her early death. Dr. Montague who has an interest in Hill House invites a few guest to stay a month or so at the mysterious Hill House just to see what happens. He chooses Eleanor, Theodora, and Luke as his roommates for various reasons. The character the reader becomes most familiar with is Eleanor, who has a delightful ride to the house as she has not had a happy life of her own, but a life filled with servitude with her invalid mother and then suffers a dull, unhappy life with her sister and her husband. She has issues even before she arrives at the vile, gothic manor. To me her drive up was my favorite part of the book. Eleanor is released from the prison of living with her sister and is on a fresh adventure where she enjoys every single moment of her new found freedom. Her drive to Hill House is superbly written in prose that is meant to be savored.
The house itself indeed has spooky undertones upon everyone's arrival. Mrs. Dudley was a wonderful character who announces that she leaves after dark and no one in the village will hear anyone in Hill House if they scream, in the dark, and in the night. She has a well rehearsed agenda that she repeats to all the visitors and it's a warning if I have ever heard one.
The great thing about Hill House is the sublety. There is no slasher killing anyone, it's a series of mysterious knockings and feelings and sensory experiences. Eleanor is telling the story and she is revealing that Hill House is taking her over so much as she can feel the dust settle in the attic. It's mysterious and creepy.
I enjoy Shirley Jackson's writing and in comparison to many authors she is a literary gem. She can write and Hill House is a great example of her talent. You should read Hill House on a stormy night, when the fire in your fireplace flickers and crackles from the howling wind outside. Be ready for a rare treat.