book 15: Haunting of Hill House

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Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Four psychic researchers stay in a reputedly haunted house.

The heroine, Eleanor, is a mousy woman who has never had an adventure or made any decisions for herself. There is psychic researcher, a lively, confident woman who befriends Eleanor, and the slacker heir to the house.

Here is a quote that I like:

“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. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.”

I thought the movie was dull and could barely watch it to the end but the book enticed me to stay up late to finish it.

Another of her books, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is supposed to be good too. I’m definitely going to hunt for it now.