Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

35 reviews

eep's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-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

5.0

This book is an investigation into the mind of a character who’s thoughts and feelings would usually remain closed to the outside world. It’s a great depiction of the complexities of mental illness written during the 1950’s.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt

Minor: Car accident

The dark topics of the book are very well done. I am triggered by the trigger warnings above, but I found it to be so well done and almost comforting, so it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Nonetheless, this book is very dark and I wouldn’t recommend it if there isn’t mental space for the triggers :)

botanicpanic's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Car accident

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Confinement and Gaslighting

In the final pages of the book, Eleanor commits suicide by driving her car into a tree.

linesiunderline's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

It’s all about the dread in this classic horror story. All the gothic atmosphere, a brilliantly unsettling opening, bumps in the night, paranormal happenings, and a small cast of characters who prove to be quite captivating and elusive. The way Jackson crafts Eleanor and her unraveling is masterful. I love that you’re constantly unsettled throughout and left at the end with more questions than answers. I’m glad I finally read this one as well as We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I’d be hard pressed to choose a favourite between the two. The audiobooks narrated by Bernadette Dunne we’re very entertaining listening experiences. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

rinitealeaf's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Mental illness, Blood, and Death of parent

Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Blood

delphine_'s review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Gaslighting

Moderate: Toxic friendship