The Haunting of Hill House

Books Are Original
by Shirley Jackson | Horror |
ISBN: 9780143039983 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingGoryDetailswing of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 1/19/2021
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Journal Entry 1 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, January 19, 2021
I got this softcover at a local Savers thrift shop, for another release copy. [This one gives a nod to the 2018 mini-series inspired by the book; it has good reviews but I haven't seen it yet, fwiw.]

This is a classic of the haunted-house genre, a marvel of psychological suspense, in which we doubt the perceptions of the characters while being convinced, as they are, that something is very, very wrong with Hill House. How this plays out, and its effects on the characters, form the bulk of the story; quietly chilling, and memorable.

*** Update, upon rereading the book in January 2021: I'd forgotten that in parts it's actually quite funny, especially in the beginning when introducing the characters. The section on Dr. Montague and his attempts to gather some psychically-sensitive folk for his planned stay in the house includes such snarky lines as "To his dozen letters, Dr. Montague had four replies, the other eight or so candidates having moved and left no forwarding address, or possibly having lost interest in the paranormal, or even, perhaps, never having existed at all." And when the four meet at the house, they spend some time in light, amusing banter - possibly to avoid thinking too much about what it will be like at night when the gates are locked, though at least two, Luke and Theo, seem more than capable of happily snarking away under any circumstances.

Oh, and when Dr. Montague's wife shows up late in the story, it almost seems farcical: unlike her depiction in the film, here she's a take-charge "Summerland"-believing wannabe psychic, convinced that all she has to do is contact the restless spirits and set them free. It's rather jarring considering what the others have been experiencing. Is she immune, or are the others suffering from their own fears or expectations? At one point Eleanor overhears Mrs. Montague chatting happily in the kitchen with the housekeeper, whose interactions with Eleanor and company have always been stolid and almost gleefully frightening ("No one lives any nearer than the town. No one else will come any nearer than that... In the night," Mrs. Dudley said, and smiled outright. "In the dark," she said, and closed the door behind her.). But it seems that Mrs. Montague stepped in to help with the dishes, and Mrs. Dudley is thoroughly enjoying her company. It's Jackson's knack - and Eleanor's viewpoint - that makes this cozy and upbeat scene seem creepy and unsettling!

On a different note, there's the very poignant account of Eleanor's trip - a long drive, the first time she's been on her own out in the world in her life, and one that she takes full advantage of, often daydreaming that the houses she sees are actually her own. (Julie Harris, cast as Eleanor in the 1963 film, perfectly depicted her blend of fragility and hunger for a place to belong; even in the passages that were not shown in the film, it's easy to see/hear Harris in the role.) ***

[I also recommend Robert Wise's 1963 film version, The Haunting; it retains the psychological-horror edge, and the cast is marvelous, though there's some tweaking of the story. The 1999 remake goes overboard with special effects and loses the power. For an offbeat look at the story, there's the TV Tropes page - but beware of spoilers!]

Journal Entry 2 by wingGoryDetailswing at LFL [OBCZ] - New Searles Rd, #46 in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, January 28, 2021

Released 3 yrs ago (1/29/2021 UTC) at LFL [OBCZ] - New Searles Rd, #46 in Nashua, New Hampshire USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Guidelines for safely visiting and stocking Little Free Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the LFL site here.

I left this book in my Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2021 Movie challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2021 TV Series challenge. ***

Journal Entry 3 by wingGoryDetailswing at Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, May 21, 2021
I noticed that this book is no longer in the LFL. Hope to hear back from it someday!

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