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A review by thatdecembergirl
Hell House by Richard Matheson
2.0
[#nowplaying Girl, so confusing - Charli xcx & Lorde]
Matheson wrote Hell House in 1971 and man, it DEFINITELY shows. This book has the potential to be a solid horror tale, classic haunted house story, but I think Matheson focused too much on the sexuality-is-depravity theme and not other aspects (violence, addiction, cannibalism, whatnot), making this book decorated with—quoting another reviewer before me here—all the weird porny moments that makes it feel cheap and shallow. Hell House is more like the knockoff of King's [b:The Shining|11588|The Shining (The Shining, #1)|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353277730l/11588._SY75_.jpg|849585] (1977) and even his 1986's [b:It|830502|It|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334416842l/830502._SY75_.jpg|150259] for the final confrontation scene, which is hilarious because Hell House predates those novels by YEARS.
The characters of Hell House are unlikable in a way that I, as a reader, can neither empathize nor resonate with them and their struggles. I understand what a hardship it was for most (if not all) men to write women in that era, but damnnn girl, even the men don't seem like having any personality at all. Doctor Lionel Barrett is nothing more than a hardheaded scientist who happens to be impotent (thus making his ever-helpful, always-supportive meek wife's needs unattended). Benjamin Fischer doesn't go past being an ex-prodigy who wants to finish the job he left unfinished decades ago. They serve the story the way chess pieces serve a game. I don't feel their humanity. All kinds of ill fate can befall upon these people and my expressions during reading remain a poker face.
The funny thing is, my edition of Hell House even contains praise from Stephen King, which makes me question whether the compliment is genuine, or King is just having his "Gotta pay respect for my senpai" moment here. Because this novel is mediocre at best and awful one at worst, especially if you're easily disturbed by suggestively sexual scenes with no purpose other than to incite disgust.
Matheson wrote Hell House in 1971 and man, it DEFINITELY shows. This book has the potential to be a solid horror tale, classic haunted house story, but I think Matheson focused too much on the sexuality-is-depravity theme and not other aspects (violence, addiction, cannibalism, whatnot), making this book decorated with—quoting another reviewer before me here—all the weird porny moments that makes it feel cheap and shallow. Hell House is more like the knockoff of King's [b:The Shining|11588|The Shining (The Shining, #1)|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353277730l/11588._SY75_.jpg|849585] (1977) and even his 1986's [b:It|830502|It|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334416842l/830502._SY75_.jpg|150259] for the final confrontation scene, which is hilarious because Hell House predates those novels by YEARS.
The characters of Hell House are unlikable in a way that I, as a reader, can neither empathize nor resonate with them and their struggles. I understand what a hardship it was for most (if not all) men to write women in that era, but damnnn girl, even the men don't seem like having any personality at all. Doctor Lionel Barrett is nothing more than a hardheaded scientist who happens to be impotent (thus making his ever-helpful, always-supportive meek wife's needs unattended). Benjamin Fischer doesn't go past being an ex-prodigy who wants to finish the job he left unfinished decades ago. They serve the story the way chess pieces serve a game. I don't feel their humanity. All kinds of ill fate can befall upon these people and my expressions during reading remain a poker face.
The funny thing is, my edition of Hell House even contains praise from Stephen King, which makes me question whether the compliment is genuine, or King is just having his "Gotta pay respect for my senpai" moment here. Because this novel is mediocre at best and awful one at worst, especially if you're easily disturbed by suggestively sexual scenes with no purpose other than to incite disgust.