The Haunting Of Hill House - Shirley Jackson Book Review

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"The Haunting Of Hill House"
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Review Summaries

"Dr. Montague, a psychic researcher, invites a small group to help him carry out his research into the secrets of Hill House, a house that has a history of evil events. He suggests that some houses may be inherently evil, and he hopes to discover what makes them that way. Very soon strange things begin happening–doors open and shut when no one is near; there is banging in the walls; eerie voices are heard. While the doctor insists everyone is safe, others are not so sure. Moreover the house's activities seem to be directed at one of his aides, Miss Vance. When the doctor's wife arrives and tried to make direct contact with the spirits that she thinks are in the house, the house seems to get more stirred up and angry. The strange happenings get more and more severe, until finally they decide to try to leave. "
Jack Goodstein, Resident Shirley Jackson Scholar

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Overall Review

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%

Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Horror story? Yes
Horror plotlets - the haunted house chased me!

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - scientist
Age: - 40's-50's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Main Adversary
Identity: - magical being
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an above average amount

Setting
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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