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the_cheerful_necromancer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ported over from my now-abandoned Goodreads:
There is nothing like this book in the world; I've never known language used so richly and vividly, I've never known horror done so masterfully. It seems that Shirley Jackson crafted every single sentence with perfect, meticulous care. The characters are wonderfully, beautifully real. The book may or may not scare you, but it weaves a perfect feeling of slow and creeping dread that will stick with me for a long, long time.
(Also, always points for lesbian homoeroticism, even if probably unintended.)
There is nothing like this book in the world; I've never known language used so richly and vividly, I've never known horror done so masterfully. It seems that Shirley Jackson crafted every single sentence with perfect, meticulous care. The characters are wonderfully, beautifully real. The book may or may not scare you, but it weaves a perfect feeling of slow and creeping dread that will stick with me for a long, long time.
(Also, always points for lesbian homoeroticism, even if probably unintended.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent and Blood
Beware especially that mental illness, paranoia and unreliable narration are a MAIN theme of this book.alisonvh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this classic. It’s as good as everyone says it is. The main character got on my nerves at times, but I also felt sorry for her at other times. Jackson does such a good job of portraying mental illness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Death of parent
bi_n_large's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Suicide, and Mental illness
Minor: Death of parent
omair's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For anyone coming to this after watching the Netflix series, you absolutely must be able to treat each work individually. While some threads may feel similar, the stories are different, unique, and masterful in their own ways.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
cheazcakeguy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was so unsettling throughout. Deeply horrifying in a way that makes you question reality along with the characters. The frequent and sometimes sudden shifts in the emotional and mental states of the characters are so off-putting. And it's short, and a total page-turner!
*MAJOR spoiler ahead*
Though I pretty much saw the ending (Eleanor's suicide) coming before I was halfway through the book, I was not expecting the misdirect from the tower followed by the joyful mania of Eleanor as she gleefully sped to her death. And then the brief moment of clarity before she hit the tree. So damn creepy, and a tragic end to a tragic character.
Would like to re-read someday to see if I pick up on anything I missed the first time.
*MAJOR spoiler ahead*
Would like to re-read someday to see if I pick up on anything I missed the first time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Suicide, Death of parent, and Blood
micallab's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, and Death
aas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
emmonsannae's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The slow dread of this book is unparalleled. Its tragedy is both self-aware and utterly unavoidable. What an excellent read! I can already tell I will be coming back to this again and again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Suicide, Car accident, Alcohol, and Death of parent
hanniquinn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this. It took me a little bit to get used to the writing style as it’s a little aged compared to my usual stuff. The flow of writing was well done however sometimes it’s was hard to understand what the characters were talking about as their conversations felt nonsensical. The atmosphere was amazing and I enjoyed the pacing. Loved the main character and would super recommend reading!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Suicide, and Death
vaguely_pink's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Big thanks to my newest literary heroine Shirley Jackson for yassifying the ghost story. You truly were ahead of your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Abandonment, Car accident, and Death
Minor: Grief, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Sexism, and Blood