Hell House

Richard Matheson

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'Hell House' by Richard Matheson is a classic haunted house story that follows four individuals entering the infamous Hell House to uncover the mysteries of the afterlife. Dr. Lionel Barrett, his wife, a medium, and a lone survivor embark on a journey to explore the supernatural phenomena within the house, each with their own beliefs and theories. As they delve deeper into the house's dark history and encounter terrifying experiences, they are faced with a struggle for answers and a battle against the haunting entities. The novel combines elements of horror and mystery, keeping readers engaged with its suspenseful plot and well-developed characters.

Characters:

Characters are complex yet often unlikable, with deep psychological struggles defined by personal beliefs and traumas, each representing different facets of the ghostly investigation.

Writing/Prose:

Matheson's writing style is straightforward, often graphic, and immerses the reader in the horror while maintaining moments of dark humor and sharp dialogue.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot presents a twist on traditional ghost stories with a shocking ending and explores themes of science opposing supernatural beliefs, showcasing both high stakes and significant confrontations with death.

Setting:

The ominous setting of the Belasco House plays a critical role in the narrative, characterized by its dark past and its almost sentient ability to instill fear.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally tight and engaging, filled with dread and urgency, although some sections may feel overly stretched.

It had been raining hard since five o'clock that morning. Brontean weather, Dr. Barrett thought. He repressed a smile. He felt rather like a character in some latter-day Gothic romance. The driving ra...

Notes:

Richard Matheson wrote 'Hell House' to defy the typical ambiguous endings of ghost stories.

The novel features a clear, unequivocal ending that is rare in the ghost story genre.

Matheson was dissatisfied with the endings of other horror classics like 'The Turn of the Screw' and 'The Haunting of Hill House'.

The house in 'Hell House', known as Belasco House, is depicted as extremely fatal, with only 10% survival rate among visitors.

The book pitting science against faith includes a character using a device called the Reversor to battle paranormal forces.

The character Dr. Lionel Barrett is skeptical about ghosts, wanting to debunk them scientifically.

Matheson creates tension through characters with distinct motivations, including personal demons and scientific ambitions.

Each character's backstory is interwoven with the house's dark history, including themes of torture and perversion.

The novel contrasts empirical science with spiritual beliefs, creating rich dialogue between mediums and scientists.

Matheson is credited as a major influence on later horror writers and filmmakers, such as Stephen King and George Romero.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Hell House contains graphic violence, sexual assault, themes of necrophilia, and misogynistic portrayals, which may be disturbing to some readers.

From The Publisher:

"Hell House is the scariest haunted house novel ever written. It looms over the rest the way the mountains loom over the foothills." - Stephen King

Rolf Rudolph Deutsch is going die. But when Deutsch, a wealthy magazine and newpaper publisher, starts thinking seriously about his impending death, he offers to pay a physicist and two mediums, one physical and one mental, $100,000 each to establish the facts of life after death.

Dr. Lionel Barrett, the physicist, accompanied by the mediums, travel to the Belasco House in Maine, which has been abandoned and sealed since 1949 after a decade of drug addiction, alcoholism, and debauchery. For one night, Barrett and his colleagues investigate the Belasco House and learn exactly why the townfolks refer to it as the Hell House.

Ratings (62)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (21)
Liked It (22)
It Was OK (9)
Did Not Like (3)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (156):

Read It (63)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (63)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (27)

3 comment(s)

StephB

Loved It

3 months

I gave this book 4 ★ vs. 3½ b/c of it's age. Probably would've been scarier back in the 70's. It was a nice spooky read though. Even though it ended a bit abruptly. Enjoyed the return to my 1st genre love: Horror. Don't know that I'd ever re-read it, but happy it now sits on my "read" shelf.

cmoluv806

It Was OK

5 months

The concepts in the book were so dark; the name is very fitting. Quite literally every sin is portrayed in graphic detail in this book. I still can't get some of the images out of my head... very disturbing. If you like that sort of thing, do read it! In all honesty, the book was great, had me on the edge of my seat, but I was thoroughly disturbed.

CorruptedNatz

Liked It

9 months

The ending was a little confusing, the characters trying to figure out the house.

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About the Author:

Richard Matheson (1926-2013) was The New York Times bestselling author of I Am Legend, Hell House, Somewhere in Time, The Incredible Shrinking Man, Now You See It…, and What Dreams May Come, among others. He was named a Grand Master of Horror by the World Horror Convention, and received the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement. He has also won the Edgar, the Spur, and the Writer's Guild awards. In 2010, he was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. In addition to his novels Matheson wrote several screenplays for movies and TV, including several Twilight Zone episodes.

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