Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

35 reviews

tersirat's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Gaslighting

Minor: Classism

stephe's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Wow. I was expecting to enjoy this book based on its reputation and how much I liked Mike Flanagan’s Netflix adaptation, and it exceeded expectations! Jackson’s prose is *chef’s kiss* so good. The characters are so well-written: no one is explained to you, not even Eleanor, whose interiority is most in view. The dialogue is punchy and sharp. And the spooky factor is top-notch. Also, it seems very clearly to be a story about queer awakening, longing, and isolation that’s both profound and devastating. All around great book, and it deserves its place as one of the best ghost stories ever written.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

foxclcves's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Cursing, Death, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, and Gaslighting

starlit_pathways's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

Moderate: Grief, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting

rookdigoo's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Car accident, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death of parent

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I think perhaps it was intentional, but this book was so disjointed that I had a hard time enjoying it. There were bits and pieces that I found enjoyable but overall it was confusing and strange. I think the possession of one of the characters affected their interactions with the others but I can’t be sure because it’s never clearly stated. If I hadn’t seen the show first, I think my expectations would’ve been different or less and I may have enjoyed this more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Classism

dylpickles's review against another edition

challenging funny mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

mallory10100's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

i wanted to pick this up because i’m a huge fan of the netflix show and i’m so glad i did!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

row3's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Body horror and Bullying

_pluviophilic_polymath's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a great proto-queer gothic horror novel and definitely deserves a read. Beautiful writing and compelling characters. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Suicide, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Alcohol