The Haunting of Hill House

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Summary: The Haunting?
Review: The books true title is The Haunting of Hill House, and is a classic of horror fiction. Its a shame Dreamworks chose to change the title to match that of its absolutly terrible film version just released. For those who don't know, there is very little simularity between Shirley Jacksons greatest novel , and the godawfull new film. The book is a study in pychological horror and deals with the gradual breakdown of "Nell", under the effect of the entity(or not) of Hill House. Read this book and save your $8.00! After reading this book if you still want to see a filmed version, find Robert Wise's 1963 "the Haunting" which stays much closer to the novel and is pretty scary. But, read the novel first!

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Summary: And Whatever walked there...walked alone at my back...
Review: I read this book in the mid 60's as a teen-ager and only on occasion have I had the skin at the back of my neck prickle or wonder just what that sound may be. A new recreated movie version is out and my teenage son is dying(pardon the pun) to go. I am afraid, as I was with the first movie, that I will be disapointed again. Ms Jackson virtually scared the teenage hell out of me without the gore or the sick dialogue that we so often receive, but also I was struck with the sad and lovely Eleanor who finally came home. This is a horror story but one that that makes you think of the cold of our psyche.

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Summary: It was many things, but scary, it wasn't.
Review: I will give it 2 starts just because it obviously interested enough people to make not one, but two movie versions. I am not surprised at all, however, that especially the second movie is very different from the story told in this book. This book certianly is not scary and is not really even about a haunted house. It seems to be more of a psychological thriller, but not even a very good one. THe last couple of chapters are completely disjointed from the rest and they make no sense whatsowever, and the end is a tru disappointment, as many questions are left unanswered. I think the book tried to make Hill House one of the characters, but it miserably failed. I really feel like I wasted time on this book. I can't believe how it can be considered a haunted-house classic, when the house itself does not do much at all.

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Summary: Chilling
Review: Reading The Haunting of Hill House was so addicting. I seriously could not put it down. the whole house fascinated me. WHen i read this book i just went into the house. IT was such a thrilling book. NOw that i saw the movie i think i want to move in!

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Summary: A thrilling journey into the heart of fear itself....
Review: This book fully exploits Shirley Jackson's knack for terror. At first I expected to hear about the creepy happenings of an old house, but instead found myself on a roller-coaster ride through madness. A must read for anyone who has any intrest in the occult. This book will destroy all you thought you knew about haunted houses.

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Summary: A great, strange, Freaky book!
Review: Well, I finished the book this morning and I saw the Movie this afternoon. The movie is nothing at all like the book ,it just pretty much bears the same name and characters. That's really not a bad thing. It's good to be able to read the book and still have no idea what's going to happen next when you watch the movie. If you don't find the book frightening, it certainly is freaky. I've never read anything like it. The final 20 pages or so to this book is just about the most perplexing ending ever written. I still don't know if I hated it or if I loved it. It just makes you want to say "Awww, Why? It really was sad too, and even though it was a very good, creative, well written ending, I'm still glad the movie did'nt end that way. Overall, The Haunting Of Hill House was a great read, and I'm glad I read it, the whole Haunting book/movie thing really got my heart racing there for a while. But now it's dying down for "The Haunting" in America's Eye, the movie is out, the book has been read, now we just have to wait for the third remake, or something else like it. But I doubt nothing will ever top this masterpiece of American Literature.

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Summary: Brilliant! One of the greatest ghost stories ever!
Review: Brilliant! One of the greatest ghost stories ever

Rating:
Summary: Good , but not GREAT!!!
Review: I am an impressionable young person today, and a book like this is supposed to scare me. But it didn't. It did have it's moments.... but when i finished it, it seemed like it was missing something. I mean, it was great as a book , but not too great at as horror book. I did like the fact that it focused more on elanor's insanity.... not how the house was haunted and alive. This was a good book , but not great!!

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Summary: A Psychological thriller ???? Not!
Review: After reading the review for The Haunting of Hill House I had to get the book. What a dissapointment. I felt the author did not take the time to build up the suspence - everything happened too quickly with no rhyme nor reason. And NO - I am not a fan of the slice and dice nor am I an inept reader.

Rating:
Summary: subtle, yet terrifying
Review: This is one of the best books ever!!! Jackson's mastery of dialogue, characterization & mood make this story a pleasure to read. It's nice to know that a novel can be a page-turner & also have some literary merit. Highly recommended!!!