100 pages • 3 hours read
Shirley JacksonThe Haunting Of Hill House
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1959A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, protagonist Eleanor Vance, along with two guests, is invited by Dr. John Montague to spend three months in a potentially haunted mansion to research the supernatural. The story explores dark family histories, the lingering of the past in the present, and psychological tension, questioning whether the haunting stems from the house or Eleanor’s own mind. Topics include familial loss and psychological trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House masterfully intertwines psychological horror with supernatural elements, eliciting praise for its atmospheric tension and deep character exploration. However, some readers find its ambiguity frustrating and the pacing uneven. Overall, it remains a classic in the horror genre for its haunting narrative and complex themes.
Who Should Read The Haunting Of Hill House?
A reader who revels in psychological horror with a blend of gothic elements will enjoy The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Fans of intricately crafted atmospheres and complex character studies, much like those found in Henry James's The Turn of the Screw and Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, will be deeply captivated.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
920LBook Details
Relationships: Mothers
Emotions/Behavior: Guilt
Relationships: Family
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Religion / Spirituality