The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡
I first read The Haunting of Hill House in 2019. The only relationship I’d had with this story prior to that was via the 1999-film, The Haunting, starring Lily Taylor as Eleanor, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Theo, and Owen Wilson as Luke.
I freaking loved that movie. I owned it on VHS ((yes, I know)) and watched it all the time. So, as you might expect, my first time reading this original source material, my mind focused in on comparing this novel with that movie.
This time around, I picked it up for a Book Club discussion. I wanted the story fresh in mind, even going so far as to annotate my new paperback edition.
On the night of Book Club, I was only at page 103 on my reread. Obviously, I knew the story so wasn’t concerned about spoilers, but was definitely interested in what everyone had to say. I found the insight of other Readers so enlightening and it did help to focus my attention on different themes in the book this time around.
One of my biggest takeaways this time was a enhanced appreciation for Jackson’s impeccable character work; particularly for Eleanor and Theodora.
I was surprised seeing some of the comments on Theo. It took me aback to see that quite a few Readers perceived her as a villain, that maybe a harsh term; more that she mistreated Eleanor, and I’ve never felt that about her.
In fact, Theodora is my favorite character in the story. I can see where those thoughts came from though, but I have always viewed it more as Eleanor’s misconceptions on the relationship and on Theo’s behavior, than it actually being something Theo was doing purposefully, or with malice.
Again I was struck by the atmosphere and overall feel of Hill House. I loved how Jackson developed a true sense of place within this story. Hill House felt like a character unto itself, which is something I always appreciate in a story.
Upon completion, I actually decided to bump my original rating up from a 4 to a 5-star. I didn’t think I would end up doing that, but I feel like I appreciated everything about this so much more upon reread.
I would highly recommend this novel for anyone who loves stories with a gothic, haunting feel and phenomenal character work. IMO. this is an absolute modern-day classic and should be read at least once in your lifetime.
If you are interested in my thoughts from my first time reading this one, please continue below…
Original:
When I was in college, a little film called The Haunting was released. Starring Lily Taylor, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Owen Wilson, this Supernatural Horror flick was essentially a modern re-imagining of The Haunting of Hill House.
My Mom and I went see it at the theater and I promptly fell in love.
Soon after, I was able to buy it on VHS ((I know, right!?!)) and commenced watching it 2,638,450 times. I wish this was an exaggeration, but sadly, it is not.
I had never read the original source material. As a matter of fact, this is the first time that I have read this 1959-Classic of Horror fiction.
I finally decided to pick it up, spurred on by the celebration of ‘Women in Horror Fiction’ month.
I listened to the audiobook and was able to get through it quite quickly.
It is a short book, at just under 200-pages, and the narrator was absolutely fabulous. I was so invested in the story. Her voice was mesmerizing and seemed to transport me into that damn house!
I think my early love of the film version, The Haunting, really helped me to imagine the whole narrative.
I will say, after listening to this, that they did a great job in casting that film.
Seriously, Lily Taylor IS Nell. I loved Jackson’s creation of her character.
The mousy, sheltered girl who finally gains her freedom after what had to be a traumatic experience of years caring for her ailing mother.
I know, I know. Meg, this is supposed to be a book review, but I couldn’t write this review without mentioning that movie, as I know it has impacted my reading experience.
I truly enjoyed this book. The build-up, the atmosphere and the suspense. It was such a ride.
I thought the supernatural, or alleged supernatural elements, were so well done.
I had many spine-chilling, look over your shoulder, moments with this. It was great time.
The character interactions were a high point. I believed their relationships and connections to one another.
Each feeling compelled to participate for their own, very different, reasons. I especially enjoyed the complex relationship between Nell and Theo. Then we get to the ending…
Things were rolling along so nicely and then, POOF, we are finished.
A friend of mine explained it as such: it’s like she was writing this great book and then she just got tired of writing it. I agree with that completely.
Done with this project, drop mic, exit.
Even with this in mind though, I did really enjoy my time with this story. I may even revisit it again someday.
This should be appreciated for the great piece of Classic Horror literature that it truly is. It has influenced so many other stories and for that, I doff my cap to Shirley Jackson.
A true pioneer in the genre.
