A review by nie_fertig
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was such an interesting read after watching both The Haunting of Hill House movies (1963 + 1999). The '63 movie was absolutely closer to the book than the '99 movie cause that one is a mess, besides Owen Wilson being a hilarious Luke and Theo being the openly bi and poly icon that she is!!
But I appreciate reading Eleanor's pov in the book because I understand her and her descent into becoming the House better - in the '63 movie, I thought of her as crazy, selfish, and borderline bipolar, but honestly Theo is more like that in the book. Plus, Dr.Montague's wife has a HUGE role in the book and she's arguably the most self-centered character in the book. But in the movie, Eleanor hates her cause she has a crush on Montague (huh??) and sends her to sleep in the extremely haunted nursery, wherein the House torments her and she's presumed lost most of the movie. So she's not really self-centered nor connected to the spirits with her ouija (Luigi/wega/quiche) board like in the book, which is wild.
I think one thing I liked in the '63 movie over the book was the ending felt more concluded. In the book, everything happens so fast and it just ends - you don't even get an ending for Mrs.Montague, so maybe that's why she doesn't get a big role in either of the movies??
Anyway, justice for Eleanor x Theodora and this is always a good hauntingly creepy story to read for Halloween!
But I appreciate reading Eleanor's pov in the book because I understand her and her descent into becoming the House better - in the '63 movie, I thought of her as crazy, selfish, and borderline bipolar, but honestly Theo is more like that in the book. Plus, Dr.Montague's wife has a HUGE role in the book and she's arguably the most self-centered character in the book. But in the movie, Eleanor hates her cause she has a crush on Montague (huh??) and sends her to sleep in the extremely haunted nursery, wherein the House torments her and she's presumed lost most of the movie. So she's not really self-centered nor connected to the spirits with her ouija (Luigi/wega/quiche) board like in the book, which is wild.
I think one thing I liked in the '63 movie over the book was the ending felt more concluded. In the book, everything happens so fast and it just ends - you don't even get an ending for Mrs.Montague, so maybe that's why she doesn't get a big role in either of the movies??
Anyway, justice for Eleanor x Theodora and this is always a good hauntingly creepy story to read for Halloween!