The Haunting of Hill House

By: Shirley Jackson

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Now a hit Netflix miniseries directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, and Timothy Hutton

Past the rusted gates and untrimmed hedges, Hill House broods and waits.

Four seekers have come to the ugly, abandoned old mansion: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of the psychic phenomenon called haunting; Theodora, his lovely and lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a lonely, homeless girl well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the adventurous future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable noises and self-closing doors, but Hill House is gathering its powers and will soon choose one of them to make its own.

This classic horror novel has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror.

©1959 Shirley Jackson; renewed 1987 by Laurence Hyman, Barry Hyman, Sarah Webster, and Joanne Schnurer (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Meh

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. Everything is told from one person's point of view and this person is very unreliable and flighty. You never really find out if what she describes is really happening. Some people like that ambiguity and it can be an interesting plot device but it can't be the entire plot.

Would you be willing to try another book from Shirley Jackson? Why or why not?

No.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The reader was good at doing both male and female voices.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

It has been a move and I didn't see it.

Any additional comments?

This is a mediocre character study dressed up in a ghost story.

Wasn't into it :(

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Got me through a long drive. It wasn't TERRIBLE, but wasn't exactly edge-of-your-seat either.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Big Little Lies

What three words best describe Bernadette Dunne’s voice?

Typical, soothing, clear

Did The Haunting of Hill House inspire you to do anything?

No... download another book!

Any additional comments?

Maybe it was the original creation date of 1959 that makes me feel like this book is "old." Has it's moments but not chilling as I hoped. Frankly the characters seemed mean! A somewhat strange listen for me. I think I'll stick to the Koontz/King books.

Highly overrated!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, make it scary

If you’ve listened to books by Shirley Jackson before, how does this one compare?

No this is my first

Have you listened to any of Bernadette Dunne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She does an excellent job - without Burnadette reading, I would have found this book, quite boring

Did The Haunting of Hill House inspire you to do anything?

Sleep

Any additional comments?

Well written just not scary

If you can only visit one haunted house

Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House is a classic 50's horror offering and sets the standard for haunted house tales. Against a backdrop of a house believed to be haunted, a 'scientist' tries to put the domicile to the test. He manages to convince two women with histories of paranormal experiences, along with a family member of the home's owners to sleep over. One woman is a model for the 60's generation, while the other appears to have psychiatric issues. When strange things begin to happen, weird, but perfectly reasonable explanations are offered. Tension builds until the house claims another soul.

Jackson provides all the basic elements for a haunted house tale. The history of the home is filled with tragedy, including a slightly bent paternal figure. The structure itself is off kilter to create altered perspectives, doors that close by themselves, and cold spots. The hired help (a gate man and his housekeeper wife) are nearly possessed. Strange things happen, some of which makes sense, but others which are never further delineated. At the same time, Jackson injects some humor with running gags and a wife who is totally oblivious, but charges ahead anyway. Finally, the question of whether all of this is due to the house or to psychiatry is never settled.

The narration is well done with excellent character distinction. Pacing and mood are well aligned with the plot.

not scary marginally interesting

this is supposed to be one of the best ghost stories ever but save your time and money and read Hell House or Burnt Offerings. this one only ever hinted at anything scary, it was kinda sorta interesting but overall I dont understand why this is a classic

Good Story but audiobook is missing parts

I loved the show and so decided to give the audiobook a go. Although very different, it was a great story. My only complaint is that towards the end, the story got mixed up and it seems that many parts were missing. Buyer beware.

The Haunting of Hill House...

..is a masterpiece! Much has been borrowed from this amazing piece of literature. Thank you Shirley Jackson.

one of the best creepy horror classics.

This one has everything a horror tale could be. Old mysterious mansion, well developed characters, a superb story .

This "Haunting" is more of a psychological one

Is there anything you would change about this book?

At first I'd wished there were more supernatural elements. But upon further reflection, I realized the demise of Eleanor really was the "haunting." At least, for me it was. Sadly, I saw a lot of myself in that character (although I'd be more likely to admit I'm like Theodora).

Which scene was your favorite?

The most intense for me was the scene in which the incoherent babbling was heard on the other side of the door. It brought me back to my early childhood when I could hear the muffled voices from my parents' TV downstairs, although I didn't know it was the TV. I thought the sounds were coming from creatures wandering around outside. I called them "Omms" because that's the sound they made.

Was The Haunting of Hill House worth the listening time?

Yes. I'm glad I finally got to the foundation of the story that inspired so many movie adaptations.

Any additional comments?

I've seen this book pop up on many "Scariest Books of All Time" lists. I definitely wouldn't add it to my scariest books of all time, although I do wonder what the experience might have been for me if I'd read it instead of listened to it. However, that doesn't make it a bad story. It's fascinating, just not frightening.

AMAZING!

Loved hearing this story again. The reading is great and each character is made distinct. One of my favorites!