Don’t think I need to explain, that even through I’ve always loved books, it’s only recently since I got “serious” about actually reading them. So, please excuse my ignorance, but WHERE HAVE I BEEN and WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT SHIRLEY JACKSON before?! Feels like I’ve lived most of my life under a rock!
If you’re following me on Instagram or Twitter, you’ll be aware how much I loved the Netflix series.
Synopsis
Something is at work in Hill House. When a group of troubled people come to stay there, they begin to experience things they cannot understand or explain, and are forced to confront their darkest fears. The house is gathering its powers- and soon it will choose to make one of them its own.
Welcome, all of you, welcome to Hill House- although perhaps that sentiment ought to come more property from you, my boy? In any case, welcome, welcome. Luke, my boy, can you make a martini?
I think Shirley Jackson is a bit like marmite. The book was originally published in 1959, so the style is unusual. It definitely was for me and it was not an easy book to read.
Having said that I really did enjoy it. Of course there were moments of familiarity, but the whole story itself was really quite different to the series.
“In the night,” Mrs. Dudley said. She smiled. “In the dark,” she said, and closed the door behind her.
One of the main characters changed drastically as the book went on. The author describes in impressive detail how the house started to take hold of her, shifting her personality and playing with her sanity.
Mrs Montague – nope, didn’t like her. Not. One. Bit. I was shouting at her every time I heard her talk.
O stay and hear, your true love’s coming, that can sing both high and low. Trip no further, pretty sweeting; journeys end in lovers meeting…
The Haunting of Hill House is a definite 4.5 our of 5 stars.
Have you read the book and watched the series? Which did you like best?
