The Haunting of Hill House, A Review

The Haunting of Hill House

by Shirley Jackson

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"To learn what we fear is to learn who we are. Horror defies our boundaries and illuminates our souls."

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The Haunting of Hill House comes with some familiarity now, given the well-deserved popularity of the Netflix original series, based very loosely on the novel. The two plots are completely different, however, and I would encourage anyone who liked the show to give the book a chance, as it is like visiting a new friend in a location you already know well. Comfortable yet different enough to still excite.

In the novel, Hill House plays host to a paranormal investigator, two female assistants, and the heir to the home. The relationships formed by the group are delightfully polite, pleasant in that way that only the 1950s can provoke. The gothic tones of Shirley Jackson seep from the very personalities of her female characters, and they are recognisable as well as relatable.

The best thing about the book, in my opinion, was the only slightly under the surface lesbian themes. Female friendship was key also, and the tenuous grasp of one's own place in "girl world", but our main character is very gay, and it's sad that this can only be hinted at. Though, of it's time the story is, Jackson doesn't make much of an effort to hide these obvious suggestions of sexuality in the main characters previous and new relationships.

I have given four stars, as I really enjoyed the setting and the characters in Hill House, but as much as the story was enjoyable, it wasn't my exact cup of tea. Not as chilling as some of Jackson's other works. But this is certainly enjoyable if you love classic ghost tales, gothic literature, haunted houses and...lesbians!