I don't believe in ghosts, and I don't really care for ghost stories. But I do like The Haunting of Hill House, a surprisingly creepy book written by Shirley Jackson in 1959. Its opening lines are famous:
No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. 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.
Four people decide to spend a summer at the notorious Hill House, documenting any paranormal activities they may observe. One of these is Eleanor Vance, a lonely woman who, we soon learn, has a rich and weird fantasy life. Eleanor does observe paranormal activities at Hill House; oh yes, yes she does.
Maybe that's because Hill House is haunted. Or maybe it's because Eleanor is going crazy. While I don't find ghosts scary, there is certainly something about the prospect of losing one's mind that chills the blood.
The neat thing about this book is that you can read it either way: it works as a ghost story, and it works as a psychological profile of a woman who's cracking under pressure. Not many authors are skilled enough to make that work.
Incidentally, a couple of movies have been based on this book. Do yourself a favor: skip 'em, and read The Haunting of Hill House instead.
That's the way most of Shirley Jackson's novels go--is what the narrator tells you really going on, or is everyone just sort of... off? I'm always surprised her novels aren't more remembered/read. I think they're fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThe Haunting of Hill House, and the first movie made of the book (The Haunting, 1963) are each classics in their own way. Terror, not horror, suspense, not gratuitous graphic blood and guts.
ReplyDeleteI love the book, but disagree that the movie (the first one, at least) is not worth the time. Tame by today's standards, I remember being totally taken by scary scenes that had no ghosts, no blood, no dismemberment, just pure tension. The memory of the book and the film stay with me, and as a writer, I am in awe of the power of Shirley Jackson's craft.
Richard, we certainly agree about Shirley Jackson's craft. She was amazingly gifted.
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