Originally Published: 1959
Length: 246 pages
Source: Library
Challenge: R.I.P. V
Personal Enjoyment Factor: 3/5
"I think we are all incredibly silly to stay. I think that an atmosphere like this one can find out the flaws and faults and weaknesses in all of us, and break us apart in a matter of days."
After reading this book that is thought to be one of the best haunted-house stories of the last century I feel . . . defective. Like I'm missing some sort of goosebump gene. No thrills, no chills. (I did have a dream one night that my own house was talking to me, but when I woke up I realized it was just our very noisy water purifier gurgling away.) So what's wrong with me?
Maybe it was my dislike for the characters and my lack of caring what became of them. Three quirky/annoying individuals come to Hill House at the request of Dr. Montague to document supernatural events that may or may not happen. While there, they engage in wacky conversations where someone is usually interrupting someone else and often insulting one another. There's a very punctual and repetitive caretaker who's a great cook. They run around a lot and can't keep the doors open. One girl paints the other girl's toes red and she freaks out a little. The characters are all very flawed, and although I'm sure the author meant for them to be, it kept me from engaging in the story as much as I would have liked.
I did like the psychological aspect of the story, but it was more interesting than creepy. I enjoyed the style of her writing but I'm still not sure if I will read anything else by Jackson. We Have Always Lived in the Castle sounds promising, but I'm afraid I will be disappointed again. Maybe fans of Jackson can put me in my place and tell me what I missed. Maybe I should have turned off all the lights and paint my toenails red.
Other thoughts: A Striped Armchair, Reading Matters, Things Mean A Lot, Books I Done Read, Fizzy Thoughts, A Good Stopping Point, Jenny's Books, So Many Books, Good Clean Reads
Any others I can add?
Other thoughts: A Striped Armchair, Reading Matters, Things Mean A Lot, Books I Done Read, Fizzy Thoughts, A Good Stopping Point, Jenny's Books, So Many Books, Good Clean Reads
Any others I can add?
I agreed with you, I did find it a little creepy in places but the werid ending and the eve werider main character meant it fell a little short for me.
ReplyDeleteI did much prefer We have always lived in the castle although expect the same unhinged female characters.
I read this in 1999 after seeing the movie based on it and was really disappointed. I didn't realize it was a classic, though, so recently I've been thinking maybe I just thought it was too cliche when in reality it was almost 50 years old. I'm currently reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle and so far loving it, even the unhinged female narrator, who is really creepy. I'd really like ot go back and reread The Haunting of Hill House with new, more educated eyes, but I think I'll go into it with some reservations...
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteI think my expectations were too high. From reading around, it sounds like We Have Always lived in the Castle is the preferred one.
Amanda,
Maybe it's a book that needs to be read twice. I'm okay with unhinged narrators, but this just had too many loose ends. I'm too much of a baby to watch the movie!
I have always wanted to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but I have never been sure about this one. As a general rule I am not huge on horrorish stuff, but there are always exceptions.
ReplyDeleteNow you've got me curious. I've put it on my goodreads list. I'm writing a haunted house story, but I've never read one. Hm. Maybe I should. ;)
ReplyDeleteI felt this way about WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE. It was interesting and fine, but not really scary. Have you read her short story, The Lottery? That's pretty scary and worth the read.
ReplyDeleteI felt this way about WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE. It was interesting and fine, but not really scary. Have you read her short story, The Lottery? That's pretty scary and worth the read.
ReplyDeleteI read this in 1999 after seeing the movie based on it and was really disappointed. I didn't realize it was a classic, though, so recently I've been thinking maybe I just thought it was too cliche when in reality it was almost 50 years old. I'm currently reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle and so far loving it, even the unhinged female narrator, who is really creepy. I'd really like ot go back and reread The Haunting of Hill House with new, more educated eyes, but I think I'll go into it with some reservations...
ReplyDelete