The Haunting Of Hill House (1959) By Shirley Jackson

"Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more."

I was inspired to read this 1959 American gothic horror novel, as I'm sure many were, by the popular Netflix series that was adapted from it. I was aware that Shirley Jackson's original story differed a fair amount from the later Mike Flanagan adaptation, which, if anything, only made me more eager to discover her story.

"No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality."

I found Jackson to have an imaginative writing style, with beautiful prose and an atmospheric tone. She built her story in a wonderfully poetic way, constructing the image of Hill House with macabre and fascinating descriptions that encouraged one's imagination to flourish.

"Am I walking toward something I should be running away from?"

Jackson builds suspense in the narrative with subtlety and ease, leading to a quiet, yet always building tension that elicits fear in both character and audience. The story had within it; a rolling death of horror. It was insidious and cerebral.

"I am like a small creature swallowed whole by a monster, she thought, and the monster feels my tiny little movements inside."

The atmospheric feel of Jackson's story is one of its most commendable strengths, as it pulls the reader into the creaking halls and dark, sprawling rooms of Hill House. It was was impressive in its ability to pull me in and envelop me in its world. I think it is testament to the skill and practice of yhe author.

"It was a house without kindness, never meant to be lived in, not a fit place for people or for love or for hope. Exorcism cannot alter the countenance of a house ; Hill House would stay as it was until it was destroyed."

I found the ending a little unexpected, in terms of how it was done. It wasn't quite what I figured would occur. I wouldn't say this was an entirely strange decision, but I would have thought the more obvious ending would have fitted nicely. Perhaps that is why the ending was different - one last twist of the knife.

"All I could think of when I got a look at the place from the outside was what fun it would be to stand out there and watch it burn down."

My thoughts towards this book are of fascination and awe. It was not the scariest book I have read, but the suspense of it, the intrinsic fear of the characters, was very well written. I look forward to reading more of Jackson's works, particularly if they are as good as this classic.

"Journeys end in lovers meeting; I have spent an all but sleepless night, I have told lies and made a fool of myself, and the very air tastes like wine. I have been frightened half out of my foolish wits, but I have somehow earned this joy; I have been waiting for it for so long."