Scan barcode
buttonsandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I grabbed this on a whim when I was at the bookstore. It looked like a classic ghost story so I had to have it.
Up and coming solicitor Arthur has been sent on his first major work trip for a deceased client. He's to go to her very remote home, surrounded by a marsh and only accessible at low tide, and go through her papers to ensure her affairs are in order. But he doesn't expect to see the woman in black in town, a ghostly apparition who reeks of malevolence. It seems many townspeople are afraid of her and even more afraid of the Eel Marsh House where Arthur is to go, but why?
This was good. Pretty predictable but a quick, enjoyable read.
⭐⭐⭐
Up and coming solicitor Arthur has been sent on his first major work trip for a deceased client. He's to go to her very remote home, surrounded by a marsh and only accessible at low tide, and go through her papers to ensure her affairs are in order. But he doesn't expect to see the woman in black in town, a ghostly apparition who reeks of malevolence. It seems many townspeople are afraid of her and even more afraid of the Eel Marsh House where Arthur is to go, but why?
This was good. Pretty predictable but a quick, enjoyable read.
⭐⭐⭐
georgial24's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
scrollingbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A ghost story with atmosphere.
I read a description of this book as "A ghost story as if written by Jane Austen", and having read the book this is spot on. The language perfectly places the events in time and is as deliciously evocative as it is spooky.
The story builds steadily so that the tension builds without you realising. At one point I became so anxious that I had to stop reading (as it was just before bedtime and I didn't want to have nightmares) And all this based on the clever use of language. There are no mutilations, blood baths, or massacres...just plain spooky goings on.
The ending came as a genuine surprise/ shock and I will definitely re-read in the not too distant future, now I know what happens.
I read a description of this book as "A ghost story as if written by Jane Austen", and having read the book this is spot on. The language perfectly places the events in time and is as deliciously evocative as it is spooky.
The story builds steadily so that the tension builds without you realising. At one point I became so anxious that I had to stop reading (as it was just before bedtime and I didn't want to have nightmares) And all this based on the clever use of language. There are no mutilations, blood baths, or massacres...just plain spooky goings on.
The ending came as a genuine surprise/ shock and I will definitely re-read in the not too distant future, now I know what happens.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly don't know what to think of this book. I loved it, I did, but I wasn't scared by it!
I think it was well written, I think it was def. a homage to turn of the century ghost stories. I just wish it was longer and there was a bit more creepy elements to it. (I'm not talking about blood on the walls or anything, just more 'boo' moments?)
I guess people really love the stage production in London - and I think that it might make the book stand out better and give it that creepy 'boo' moment that it was lacking.
I think it was well written, I think it was def. a homage to turn of the century ghost stories. I just wish it was longer and there was a bit more creepy elements to it. (I'm not talking about blood on the walls or anything, just more 'boo' moments?)
I guess people really love the stage production in London - and I think that it might make the book stand out better and give it that creepy 'boo' moment that it was lacking.
dinoflagellates's review against another edition
3.0
Eigenlijk 3,5⭐️… Het verhaal was spannend maar niet echt meeslepend. Tenminste voor mij. De laatste drie bladzijden maakten het wel. Daardoor 3,5 ⭐️
klbartosik's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
bookish_fish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
martinaferro's review against another edition
3.0
There were two main points in the story which really scared me, and that's quite impressive seeing as I have already watched the film for this book.
I enjoyed this book a lot :)
jp_priestley's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a lover of ghost stories, then you would certainly want to add Susan Hill's 1983 novel The Woman in Black to your reading list, assuming you have not already read this exceedingly well-written work.
Rather unusually for me, I watched the 2012 supernatural horror film of the same name before reading Hill's book. I have often found that books do not translate well to film, often leaving one rather disappointed. Often, though, this is due to poor handling of the adaptation to film by screenwriters, producers and directors. It is refreshing, therefore, to acknowledge that for me (at least) this second film rendering of Hill's book was exceptionally well crafted, adding substantially to the story. I will not speak more of film adaptations of the book here, except to state that the 2012 film, produced by Hammer Film Productions and others and starring Danielle Radcliffe in a first-rate performance, was marvellously atmospheric and full of nerve-tingling moments; indeed, several cuts from the original film were made and it still attracted a 12A certification!
I read the Vintage (Penguin Random House) 2016 reissued edition of Hill's book, with striking cover artwork by Jamie Clarke. At 200 pages, the book can be read in a day or two if you maintain focus and are left undisturbed. Do not let the compactness of this book deceive you, however, as it contains much! Hill's mastery of language conjures evocative images of the times, and takes the reader hand-in-hand with Arthur Kipps on an enthralling journey that builds to a crescendo at Eel Marsh House near the Edwardian English village of Crythin Gifford, and beyond.
A resounding thumbs-up, then, from me for The Woman in Black, a classic English ghost story!
Rather unusually for me, I watched the 2012 supernatural horror film of the same name before reading Hill's book. I have often found that books do not translate well to film, often leaving one rather disappointed. Often, though, this is due to poor handling of the adaptation to film by screenwriters, producers and directors. It is refreshing, therefore, to acknowledge that for me (at least) this second film rendering of Hill's book was exceptionally well crafted, adding substantially to the story. I will not speak more of film adaptations of the book here, except to state that the 2012 film, produced by Hammer Film Productions and others and starring Danielle Radcliffe in a first-rate performance, was marvellously atmospheric and full of nerve-tingling moments; indeed, several cuts from the original film were made and it still attracted a 12A certification!
I read the Vintage (Penguin Random House) 2016 reissued edition of Hill's book, with striking cover artwork by Jamie Clarke. At 200 pages, the book can be read in a day or two if you maintain focus and are left undisturbed. Do not let the compactness of this book deceive you, however, as it contains much! Hill's mastery of language conjures evocative images of the times, and takes the reader hand-in-hand with Arthur Kipps on an enthralling journey that builds to a crescendo at Eel Marsh House near the Edwardian English village of Crythin Gifford, and beyond.
A resounding thumbs-up, then, from me for The Woman in Black, a classic English ghost story!
akouznetsov's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5