Re-read & Second Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

One of the creepiest horror books I’ve ever read – still!

This one is a bit different for me, a rare treat actually, because this is, in fact, a re-read. I, for some reason, very seldom read books more than once. It’s not that I don’t want to, and I often find myself thinking I should pick up an old favorite and have another go at it, but I also find that I always have tons of new things I want to read. I have difficulties finding time for all of it, and more often than not, I end up prioritizing the new, shiny books at the top of my ever-growing To-Be-Read pile.

Weirdly enough, I’m the complete opposite when it comes to video games. I’d very often rather re-play an old classic than start something new. With movies and TV however, it’s the same as books. I can’t think of a single movie I’ve seen more than maybe 3-5 times (and that’s usually just because it’s some kind of holiday movie or something, looking at you, Home Alone).

Anyway – The Haunting Of Hill House! – I figured I’d re-read this one for the two simple reasons that: 1) it’s an excellent horror novel that I remember enjoying very much, and 2) this is by far my most read book review, ever! Just last year it had over 3600 hits. Clearly it’s a fan favorite, and I thought I’d give my readers another reason to come visit the blog and serve them up a little treat in the form of this second read & review.

So, what is it that makes The Haunting of Hill House so great? What is it with this book that so efficiently pulls the reader in? Because it is great – I concluded that already, when I first read the book back in April of 2021. I went in blind, only having heard of and being intrigued to read it after watching the hit Netflix show. I actually knew next to nothing about the book, and don’t think I’d hardly even heard about Shirley Jackson.

First things first: the story. The book follows a group of four: Doctor Montague, who intends to study the paranormal phenomenon that are said to take place in Hill House, and the three people he invites to take part in his study: Luke, Theodora, and Eleanor. Luke is the heir to the house, and Theodora and Eleanor both have previous experience with paranormal events. The book is told through the perspective of Eleanor, a shy and careful young woman, who struggles with anxiety, low self-esteem and night terrors, and she is an excellent choice of narrator. Her timid, scared demeanor makes the house appear even creepier than it is and the way Eleanor reflects over what she sees, hears and experiences in the house will make it go cold down your back in no time.

The brilliance of the book lies in the anticipation. You know as soon as you look at the front cover what to expect: it’s in the title, it’s in the way the book introduces the story, it’s in the way the characters talk to each other and in what they do: there’s something evil about to happen, we just don’t know what it is yet. And the book – while serving you hints as we go along and begin to familiarize ourselves with the house – will keep this from you for as long as it can. Honestly, even when I’ve read it before (though I can’t say I remember all (or actually very much) of it) this book is delightfully creepy, and brilliantly haunting.

The first time I read this, I commented that some of the way Shirley Jackson writes shows how dated this book is. I didn’t notice any of that this time around, and other than the fact that the book uses some old-timey language – a characteristic that could easily be explained as a way to give the story a more gothic feel – there’s really nothing that gives away the age of this book. It has aged incredibly well, and I still agree with my original conclusion that I love Jackson’s writing: it’s concise and to the point, and a perfect mix of creepily descriptive and beautifully lavish.

Last time, I said I didn’t like the ending. I don’t know why I said that. In fact, I don’t understand that at all, because the ending is perfect. I love the ending. I’m not going to give it away, obviously, so if you’re interested in knowing how my opinion could have done a 180 in four short years, you’ll have to pick up the book for yourself and give it a read. Honestly, it’s well worth your time.

Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is in many ways a short and simple book. It does exactly what is says on the tin. You get exactly what you pay for. And that’s the beauty of it, I think. This is how – and why! – it’s still the créme de la créme of horror, 65 years after its release.

Have you read The Haunting of Hill House? Seen the show? Do you have another favorite horror book, or maybe a favorite among Shirley Jackson’s books? Let me know in the comments! I love reading what you write to me, I love discussing books, and I love hearing what you think!

As always – if you like fast-paced thrillers or horrifying psychological twists, I’d love it you checked out my books! You’ll probably be particularly interested in my horror novella about a man who check into a hotel to end it all, only to find that he’s not able to. Check out At The Gate.

You can find all my books and stories here

Trey Stone’s Books

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