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Hell House cover art

Hell House

By: Richard Matheson
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Summary

Hell House is the scariest haunted house novel ever written. It looms over the rest the way the mountains loom over the foothills.” — Stephen King

From the author of
I Am Legend comes Hell House, the basis for the supernatural horror film starring Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill.

For over twenty years, Belasco House has stood empty. Regarded as the Mount Everest of haunted houses, its shadowed walls have witnessed scenes of unimaginable horror and depravity. All previous attempts to probe its mysteries have ended in murder, suicide, or insanity. But now, a new investigation has been launched, bringing four strangers to Belasco House in search of the ultimate secrets of life and death. A wealthy publisher, brooding over his impending death, has paid a physicist and two mediums to establish the facts of life after death once and for all. For one night, they will investigate the Belasco House and learn exactly why the townsfolk refer to it as the Hell House.

Hell House, which inspired the 1973 film The Legend of Hell House, is Matheson’s most frightening and shocking book and an acknowledged classic of the genre.

©1999 Richard Matheson (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Hell House

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen

I really enjoyed this book. It had a great story and good interplay between the four characters that enter the house. Not overly scary by today?s standards although it does keep you interested from start to finish. Passionately narrated.

I would warn anyone intending to listen to this book that it contains material of a sexually explicit nature and also graphic language. This book is not for people who are offended by this sort of thing, as it permeates most of the book. Personally, I think that for a book titled 'Hell House' and with the reputation that it has, it would be naive to be shocked to hear the occasional expletive or references to sexual violence - As a horror book, this is not gratuitous, but part of the story.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Gripping stuff

I really enjoyed this book and so wanted to hear more that I took the long way home on more than one occasion so I could get a few extra minutes in. It is well written and the dynamics between the characters are presented clearly. The story unfolds at a pleasing rate and each aspect is brought into play well.

The narration is good although there were some unexpected pauses but it was placed well, clear, the characters well defined and the other 'people' in the book were easily told apart.

I was impressed overall and will certainly be checking out more by this author. As mentioned in another review, the content of Hell House can be somewhat graphic but it is integral to the story, not gratuitous for shock value.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Horror that creeps into you

I really loved this audiobook. Despite the fact it starts quite abruptly and doesn't seem to bother with a credible build up of the story (5 minutes and they are already in the haunted house)I was sucked into the horror vortex of this story so much that I am still dreaming about it on occasion.
A traditional haunted house with a modern phychologial theme- perverted sexuality. And even though there are only a few expicit desriptions in the book, the whole atmosphere is like a dense, grey fog that creeps into every crook and cranny of your mind. (to the point where I started associating my own office, where I listenend to the book, with hell house and was quite creeped out by it.)
The ending is built up to be this great revelation, which I wasn't blown away by. But despite all that, I loved it and will put it on my list of my top 5 haunted house stories.The narration is absolutely wonderful and adds gallons of drama and intensity to every situation. I can still hear the cold, mean and mocking voice of the owner of hell house.... You should try it!
PS: Only for people who are not sensitive about religion!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

hell house richard matheson

A true horror story enjoyed this very much very creepy,makes you feel very uneasy at times,i listened to this why working on a night shift,made me feel very spooked,its great when a book makes you feel like that

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An intense listen

Any additional comments?

This was a great audiobook, but I found it pretty intense in some places and some scenes were pretty grim! It's a highly sexual and sexually charged book, and if you love the classic combo of sex and horror you'll love this.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable

Any additional comments?

Did I enjoy this audio book - yes, I wanted a good ghost story for Christmas and I got one. Well read. Occassionally you are at the right point in life to listen to something, if I had listened to this a year ago for example I may not of enjoyed it - but I got this at the right time and it was spot on.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic amazing brillent

I dont useually listen non true storyies but found this very good scary and so funny the narratator is amazing

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Very much of its time.

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I think if you remember this book when it was release (I think sometimes in the 70s) then you may be nostalgic for it.

What didn’t you like about Ray Porter’s performance?

It was all a bit flat for my liking.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I found it a bit boring to be honest and didn't manage to finish.

Any additional comments?

From the reviews I'd read I thought this would suit me, a good scarey horror story with an extra dollop of 70s sauce. However I was never scared and could easily listen in bed with the lights off. Tried about 3 hours and the story never really got going for me.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Haven't seen writing this bad since 50 shades!

What disappointed you about Hell House?

Absolutely vile piece of writing. The plot itself just isn't scary, I expected something along the lines of house on haunted hill etc, I mean it seemed pretty formulaic - group of people one skeptic, one nervous person tagging along, two strong characters go to a known haunted house and wait for something to happen but what followed was a demonstration of sex over plot and substance getting clearing from a publishing house.

What was most disappointing about Richard Matheson’s story?

The token lesbianism that is thrown in when the story starts to falter is just ludicrous. I think my housemate overhearing it as I was cooking and asking me, "what c**p are you listening to?!" is a pretty good indication that it really was appalling.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favourite?

Impossible to say, I felt all the characters were poorly written and hard to emphasise with. I suppose I like the jaded psychic until I realised he was just there as a juxtaposition to the others and didn't actually bring anything to the story.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger and melancholy that I had listened to it the whole way through and wasted a credit.

Any additional comments?

I realise this book has had great reviews, in fact I chose this book over another title BECAUSE of the reviews but in my opinion it is awfully written. It isn't scary so you WILL be able to sleep at night, or if you are intrigued by the references to sex other reviewers have mentioned; don't waste your money, like everything in the book, things that start do not get finished (read that as you will!) and you would be better off looking at the "adult" business cards in your local phone box for better content and substance!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Old fashioned haunted house story

There are few spooky moments in this story and the general idea was a good one. I did however find myself getting bored towards the end and I guess that is because it is overlong. It is however worth staying with it until the final scene.

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3 people found this helpful