Jackson uses language like a conductor skilfully waving her baton to evoke different moods or themes or styles as called for. The first thing to say about Hill House, is that the writing style is nothing short of exquisite. Yet, Hill House is a place of subtle evil, and one which has a particular resonance for Eleanor. For Eleanor, who has spent her life taking care of an oppressive and demanding mother, the invitation feels like a liberation and a chance to finally step out into the world.
The only people to take up the doctor’s invitation are the dreamy and fanciful Eleanor Vance, and the selfish Theodora, together with the indolent Luke Sanderson, a member of the family who own the house. Doctor John Montague, an anthropologist and part time psychic researcher decides to follow in the grand old Victorian investigative tradition by inviting several people who had previously experienced paranormal phenomena to stay at Hill House over the summer, and so hopefully witness and be able to catalogue some kind of psychic disturbance. I needn’t have worried, since this is one occasion where the hype is definitely justified.Īs the iconic and oft quoted opening paragraph reminds us, Hill House stands alone, yet not empty, and whatever waits there waits in darkness. Haunting of Hill House is widely regarded as one of the horror genre’s absolute classics, King calls it a perfect example of the haunted house story, though I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect myself, after all not all classics live up to scrutiny and previously I’d just read Shirley Jackson’s short stories, which ranged from awesome, to good, to slightly incomprehensible. Indeed, it’s nice to think a lady who apparently struggled with mental illness and lived a rather haunted life herself finally got the recognition she deserved.
Favourite of writers such as Stephen King, Harlan Ellison and Niel Gaimen, and author of several landmark stories in the history of horror and weird psychological fiction, despite having passed away sixty years ago her legacy just seems to keep on growing. Shirley Jackson is an author with quite a reputation.
0 kommentar(er)
