I think what makes Shirley Jackson’s writing so effective is the underlying uncertainty you feel when reading her works. Under the surface, something isn’t right. There’s a gothic creepiness that others have copied, but which Jackson first mastered. The Haunting of Hill House has this trait, but i...
A few years ago I read We Have Always Lived in a Castle which I enjoyed. When nominating a spooky read for one of my book clubs, I selected this book. Unfortunately for me, it won.The book starts off by saying "No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reali...
This might not be a book to read late at night if you have an active imagination.Have you ever been in an old house and felt some strange energy? The feeling of eyes on you while your back is turned? Of unexplained sounds, shadows, or smells? Older houses can have a sense of presence that isn't f...
I recall being in college and seeing "The Haunting (1999)" which was a movie based on this book. A bunch of friends and I watched this movie in one of the dorm rooms and I swear at one point I was firmly wedged beneath my poor friend trying my best to use her as a shield (yes she totally forgave me ...
Cross-posted on The Dead Writers Society. “What else could you call Hill House?” Luke demanded. “Well—disturbed, perhaps. Leprous. Sick. Any of the popular euphemisms for insanity; a deranged house is a pretty conceit. Shirley Jackson wrote and published The Haunting of Hill House in 1959. A cla...
The classic status of this novel in the haunted house genre kind of mystifies me. I'd not consider it one of Jackson's best, the haunting is rather tepid even by the standards of the time period. The characters are all intensely flakey and suddenly very familiar with each other. Within a day of meet...
If you've seen the movie "The Haunting" and have said to yourself that there is therefore no need to read the book The Haunting of Hill House, you've made a terrible mistake. What we have here is an undeniable horror masterpiece. I came away from reading this thinking, "Wow - I have to read some mor...
I think it’s pretty clear what this book is about…a haunted house…so no need for me to get into that. I enjoyed this book, to a degree, but did feel it lacking somewhat. The plot was very well contained with many instances of beautiful writing. I never felt myself lose concentration at any point, bu...
This is what horror novels should strive to be. Full of suspense, creepy, disturbing, but yet not having to rely on gore and overtly descriptive narratives for every aspect. Those are good in their own right, but to have a book put me completely on edge despite not ever getting a clear sense of w...
Upon finishing this book I knew two things: 1) Its reputation in my mind would grow over time 2) I wanted to revisit it in the near future and give it another read (which is something I rarely even consider) For me, it didn't have the visceral impact that many people report after reading it. I di...
Important: Our sites use cookies.
We use the information stored using cookies and similar technologies for advertising and statistics purposes.
Stored data allow us to tailor the websites to individual user's interests.
Cookies may be also used by third parties cooperating with BookLikes, like advertisers, research companies and providers of multimedia applications.
You can choose how cookies are handled by your device via your browser settings.
If you choose not to receive cookies at any time, BookLikes will not function properly and certain services will not be provided.
For more information, please go to our Privacy Policy.
Log in with Facebook 
