OK story but ultimately not very scary

I picked this up after googling "scary stories on Audiable"... I found a list that said, "books that are scarier to listen to than read... this made the list and as the series is on my radar to watch I figured I would check the book out first. Bottom line, it is well narrated and kept me hooked to the end, unfortunately it ended way too soon and apart from being a little creepy at times there were no scares here nor did it leave me reflecting on anything I had read. OK but if you looking for a scare not for you.

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Not as good as the Netflix series

If you've watched the series on Netflix, don't bother with this book. Standalone, it's really good. Engaging, with well developed characters but not much really happens.

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A Yardstick

One of the better horror stories you will ever read (or in this case hear). It relies on subtlety and atmosphere rather than juvenile shock-jock antics and whatever the literary equivalent to a jump scare is. The pacing is brilliant until roughly three quarters in, whereupon, despite the solidity of the story, it becomes constipated and suffers until the end.

Jackson knew how to bend the narrative and characters and twist them from one thing to another with enough deftness that the turning points may well fly over a less experienced head. It’s breath of fresh air to have some nuance to the horror genre in a world full of Lovecraft imitations that are oblivious to the point of cosmic horror and tedious slasher-film-by-manuscript knockoffs. I get the distinct impression this is worth a relisten/read – there’s a bit more going on than initially suspected and a second go would probably be revealing.

The only real downside are Mrs. Montague and Arthur. Introduced late into the novel for seemingly no particular reason, they are entirely obnoxious. After their initial introductions you will never want to hear from them again, and indeed they offer nothing whatsoever, but continue to insist on intruding on the narrative nonetheless. From the moment either of them were introduced I found myself sincerely hoping for their deaths if only to make them shut up and get out of the way. As it was, I found that skipping any part they were involved in was good enough to alleviate their respective teeth-grinding presences.

This is certainly a horror story to measure others against.

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A true classic

Such an amazing book, more of a character study than a ghost story but there are still some creepy moments. Loved the narration, it really pulled me in.

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Wonderful

Shirley Jackson at her absolute best. One of my favourite books, a masterpiece in psychology and gothic horror. The narrative is excellent. A perfect jump between characters. I highly recommend this title and know, I will listen to it over and over

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Journys end in lovers meeting.

In short, a lonely and naive woman gets given company and becomes very clingy. The end.

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Stunning

I knew nothing about this book other than it has a high-standing reputation. I wanted a 'ghost story' for Christmas. I listened to it lying in bed with no distractions and, boy, did I get my money's worth. The atmosphere and descriptions are powerful enough, but it is the psychological portrait of, and interaction between the characters which takes this book far beyond 'genre' into a 'classic'. Unsettling and scary because it insinuates itself into you, rather than frightening with shocks. And though her voice may be an acquired taste I thought that Bernadette Dunn's reading is extraordinary.

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25 people found this helpful

Canonical, but somewhat dated

This is a classic ghost story by a talented author, and the the way she evokes an atmosphere of dread is truly impressive. But however skilfully Jackson employs terror, rather than horror, they novel falls short of being "scary", and becomes simply interesting fit what it has to say about human nature under extreme duress. This is actually Jackson's speciality. Where the novel also excels is in characterization. The four principal characters are excellently drawn, with Theodora and, especially, Eleanor, possessed of such a rich inner life that they truly live. Even minor players such as Mrs Dudley, Mrs Montague, and Arthur, transcend their function as caricatures and become believable.

But to me this ends up feeling more like a story about mental illnesses than the supernatural.

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2 people found this helpful

Classic Ghost Yarn

Hill house is a good solid, well written, if a bit rambling spooky classic tale..The narrator is good and performs all the parts well...Its not a romping good tale, it gently strolls along and does not really deliver any scares or shivers, it is more a study of the changing relationships of the characters.
Not sure I would use a credit for it given the option again....
Before you download this one look at the Woman in Black, same sort of thing but with a bit more bang for your buck.

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1 person found this helpful

Things we're apparently scarier in the 50's.

It starts weird and well. It simmers along alright it tantalises you then becomes a farse then jist dwindles out. The big finale is lame.

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