A review by apollos_books
Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-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

shirley jackson has an amazing ability to leave you in a constant state of suspense without anything truly gruesome happening. i loved her use of Natalie as an unreliable narrator to illustrate the infinite gaps between ourselves and others (as well as the myriad of meanings and assumptions we choose to fill those blank spaces with). i heavily related to Natalie's desire to escape her unbearable reality at home and college through her own (whimsical, dark) fantasies. Natalie's failed hope for a fresh start at college, and the emotionally painful growth that comes from it, especially hit heavily for me. this is a book that demonstrates the full range of "horror" as a genre and its value in foregrounding the muck of society, human experience, and reality as well as the ways that we come into our power despite of it.