Updated on January 27th, 2025
As I mentioned in my March Favorites, I wanted to share my review of The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson this week.
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Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood for eighty years and might stand for eighty more.
Since I have watched the season of The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix, I will briefly compare it to the book. In the book, four strangers arrive at Hill House: Dr. Montague a scholar looking for real evidence of a haunting, Theodora his assistant, Eleanor (Nell) who is well acquainted with poltergeists, and Luke the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay is filled with unexplainable spooky encounters, but Hill House is gathering its powers and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
The Netflix series follows a completely different plot and instead focuses on a fractured family who confronts the haunting memories of their old home, Hill House, and the terrifying events that drove them from it. Some of the family members share names with the characters in the book (Theodora, Nell, and Luke), but beyond that, the storyline is completely different.
In the book, the story is told from the perspective of Eleanor, which I actually enjoyed. As far as pacing, the book is slow-paced and not a lot happens. The spooky encounters in Hill House build as the story progresses, but they are few in number compared to all the spooky encounters in the Netflix series. I did not mind the slow pace of the book, but it may put off some readers who are wanting non-stop horror.
One great aspect of the book is the atmosphere. Hill House itself is so creepy and when you learn about the past events that happened there, it adds to the chilling atmosphere. The ending of the book is a bit open-ended and left me wondering what really happened at Hill House, but I thought it was a good ending. The Netflix series is more straightforward, and I am curious about what they will do in the second season. If you have watched the Netflix series, I recommend reading the book because it is a completely different story. Also, I listened to the audiobook on Libby, which I highly recommend as the narrator changed her voice to fit the characters and that allowed me to become immersed in the story.
Overall, The Haunting of Hill House is a classic psychological horror novel with a slow-building plot and a creepy atmosphere.
I remember everyone talking about this show but I’ve always been a major wimp and too scared haha is it similar to the series or do you think a wimp like me would be able to cope? 😂
The series is way more creepy than the book! There’s a few creepy scenes in the book but nothing compared to the series. I think you’ll be able to manage reading the book!
I so wish I had known that this was a book before reading the series!!! thanks for sharing, Karalee 🙂
Well the book is way different from the series so it’s not the worse to watch it before reading it lol
Oh seriously?! That is SO good to know!!
I have been looking to read this as I have not long read, We Have Always Lived In The Castle by her. It sounds like a good read x
It is a good read if you don’t mind the slow pacing & I want to read We Have Always Lived In The Castle!
I am a horror fan, and this sounds like it’s definitely up my alley. Great review!
Khanak x
Thank you! If you do read it, I hope you won’t be disappointed by the lack of horror since the book isn’t like traditional horror books.
I definitely need to read this book.
You do!
I’m not a horror fan so not certain if this is my kind of book/series, but isn’t it funny how the same thing can make two completely different stories? Really enjoyed your review.
Thank you! It is funny. Like how can see the series be based on the book when it’s a completely different story & the only similarity is a haunted house (which is also portrayed differently)
I had been wondering about reading the book, since I loved the series so much, but I knew the stories were different. I’m glad it stands up on its own too!
If you do read the book, I hope you like it! I also want to watch the original movie now since it is more like the book.
I love The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix! I wasn’t aware that it was a book. I’m really interested in reading it now despite the differences between it and Netflix!
I’m glad you loved the series too! If you do read the book, I hope you like it because it is very different from the series!
Excellent review. I’ve read and watched, It was very good.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it!
I have to check this book out now! I loved the series on Netflix but I am a book girl first!!
http://Www.hauntedhistoryjaunts.com
I hope you’ll like the book because like I mentioned it is VERY different than the series!
Well, you certainly enjoyed the book a lot more than I did! I agree with what you said about the atmosphere of the house, it’s super eerie and described really well. I just thought it was boring. It is very slow paced which I generally don’t mind but I was expecting horror and I definitely wasn’t scared. Although I NEVER get scared of anything horror related so maybe that’s why haha! Great review!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
Haha thank you! Yes the book is considered a classic horror novel, but I wouldn’t call it a horror since there are very few creepy scenes.
I definitely need to read this book, it sounds so good x
It is a good book!
Sounds like a really cool book! I used to be really into these types of books but now I cannot stand anything remotely scary cause I can’t sleep!
It is a good book & that’s a shame. What books do you like reading instead?