Horror Novel Review Shirley Jackson The Haunting Of Hill House / myLot

Preston, England

February 21, 2020 5:07pm CST

1959 - The Fawcett Popular Library - Spoiler alerts One of the most chilling and atmospheric haunted house novels ever, captured with beautiful writing by the author. Story wise, it is straight-forward, a psychic researcher advertises for people to spend time in a notorious haunted mansion with him. The staff refuse to be there after dark, the house geography is full of optical illusions and inexplicably cold areas. Gradually the personalities of the four strangers are affected with one girl proving so dangerously susceptible to the house's power that the others try to send her away, but will Hill House let her go? The book has no visible ghosts, but drips in atmosphere and dread. It was filmed twice as The Haunting, first in a quite faithful adaptation in 1963, with Julie Harris and Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny in the early James Bond films) and later in a really lousy 1999 movie, The Haunting, with Liam Neeson and Catherine Zeta-Jones with visible ghosts and lots of blood - everything the book hides being displayed on screen. The short novel is a major classic. Arthur Chappell

9 people like this

11 responses

allen0187

@allen0187 (59818)

• Philippines

22 Feb 20

I remember watching the 1999 movie version. Didn't know until today that this was based on a book.

1 person likes this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

23 Feb 20

@allen0187 A really good one too

1 person likes this

allen0187

@allen0187 (59818)

• Philippines

24 Feb 20

@arthurchappell yup!

1 person likes this

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

22 Feb 20

I have seen both movies.

1 person likes this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

22 Feb 20

@JohnRoberts the remake was a travesty

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (502914)

• Italy

22 Feb 20

I have not read the book, but I am sure that I have seen the 1963 film, because I remember that I recognized Miss Moneypenny.

It was a not too bad film.

1 person likes this

LindaOH

@LindaOHio (222978)

• United States

22 Feb 20

I've seen the original movie. The book sounds good.

1 person likes this

Dawnsummer

@misunderstood_zombie (8765)

• United States

22 Feb 20

I never read the book because I thought it was a little scary for me, but I did watch some of the movie with Liam Neeson and found it very interesting.

1 person likes this

Arya

@yoalldudes (35028)

• Philippines

22 Feb 20

This is a bit scary. I am delighted to see you have a collection of what you are passionate about.

1 person likes this

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

21 Feb 20

Oh I must look for the movie..did I see it before? Who knows, my memory

But Ill look for the 1963 one on YouTube. Thanks for the excellent review Arthur..wish I could read books I mean I can read but no concentration for it