Who Would Like This Book:
If you're a fan of subtle, creeping dread rather than in-your-face scares and gore, this book is for you! Shirley Jackson crafts one of the most chilling haunted house stories ever - Hill House itself feels alive and menacing, and the ambiguity between psychological unraveling and the supernatural keeps you guessing. The prose is immaculate, the character study (especially of Eleanor) is deep and fascinating, and the book overflows with literary allusions, dry humor, and memorable lines. Perfect for readers who love layered, psychological horror, classic literature, and stories that don’t spell everything out, letting you stew in the unease long after finishing. If you like your horror smart, thought-provoking, and open to interpretation, you’ll be obsessed!
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers find the book to be a slow burn, with a focus more on atmosphere and character than on outright scares or action. If you want horror that’s filled with jump-scares, blood, or dramatic ghostly encounters on every page, this may feel too subtle or “quiet” - it’s more about a sense of mounting dread than moments of terror. A few found the constant character banter or Eleanor’s psychological spiral grating or confusing, especially since so much is left unexplained. And those who crave clear answers or need a tidy ending may come away frustrated by the book’s ambiguity and open questions.
About:
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a classic horror novel that tells the story of four individuals invited to investigate the paranormal occurrences at Hill House. As they delve into the mysteries of the house, strange phenomena begin to unfold, leading to a growing sense of disassociation from reality and genuine horror. The narrative is a meditation on isolation, fear, and desperation, particularly focusing on the protagonist Eleanor's psychological journey as she navigates the haunting presence of Hill House.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include discussions of mental illness, isolation, and suicidal ideation.
From The Publisher:
Part of a new six-volume series of the best in classic horror, selected by Academy Award-winning director of The Shape of Water Guillermo del Toro
The Haunting of Hill House
The classic supernatural thriller by an author who helped define the genre. First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting;' Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers-and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
Ratings (426)
Incredible (81) | |
Loved It (155) | |
Liked It (99) | |
It Was OK (57) | |
Did Not Like (19) | |
Hated It (15) |
Reader Stats (870):
Read It (447) | |
Currently Reading (3) | |
Want To Read (307) | |
Did Not Finish (5) | |
Not Interested (108) |
16 comment(s)
I love when I'm reading a book and ask myself "Wait, is this gay?" And then later find out that millions of people around the world have been passionately debating the answer to that question for years.
5/5 loved it.
It was ok. Not the kind of horror I was expecting. Would not read again nor recommend.
My favourite book, hands down. I always wondered if I should be concerned that Eleanor is so relatable, but regardless, I could read this book a hundred times, and still find something intriguing about it, especially the first half of the novel. Jackson was a masterpiece author. My only regret is that I cannot experience it for the first time again.
Predictably chilling. I loved the build-up. We know the house is haunted. We know it is dangerous. But it's still terrifying.
An atmospheric, cozy mystery that embraces you with its eerily steady pace.
A true classic, can't go wrong! I read this back in October, and it matched the spooky season vibes perfectly.
So are we supposed to assume that Eleanor is dead? It was a fast read and somewhat confusing. I think it's supposed to be.
I've read it the first time almost exactly a year ago and that time I was sure of my 4 star rating but this time I'm not as sure. Yes it was atmospheric and eery but not the "perfect work of unnerving horror" as the back of the book said. Wasn't creeped out by it, was rather on the softer side of horror for me. But it was entertaining enough to read but I wasn't as blown away from this as the first time. Love "we have always lived in the castle" more then this. This was just alright. Might give the Netflix show ago though. I've heard it was better then the book. I wonder if its creepy or even scary?
i don’t know what the hell i read but i think i liked it
It's interesting to read this back to back with
We Have Always Lived in the Castle. In the latter, the characters haunt the house; Merricat uses objects from the house to surround and protect their land in a form of sympathetic magic. As the characters' situation devolves, the house becomes more and more haunted-looking. In
Hill House, though, the house is definitely acting on the characters. We witness this through a limited third person view, specifically the mentally fragile Eleanor's perspective. Each character experiences the house differently, and the reader watches as Eleanor is slowly devoured by the spirit of Hill House. We can't be sure at what point she becomes an agent of the house, if indeed she does at all; we also can't be sure whether the other characters are at all trustworthy, or if Eleanor is just paranoid. This is a downright terrifying novel before you start to examine characterization and motivation. I've never seen the movie adaptation, and I don't want to, because experiencing Hill House from inside Eleanor's head is too wonderful to ruin with a movie.
What can you read after
The Haunting of Hill House?
About the Author:
Shirley Jackson was born in San Francisco in 1916. She first received wide critical acclaim for her short story "The Lottery," which was published in The New Yorker in 1948. She is the author of six novels, including The Haunting…
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
