Horror stories have kept humans up at night fearing the shadows within the darkness for countless generations. In literature, the horror genre is commonly integrated with paranormal elements and characters that unite amidst the danger. Nevertheless, while creatures that roam the night may make a character’s heart leap out of their chest, there is nothing more disastrous and terrifying than the chaos and obscurity consuming one’s mind. 

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson ties horror with psychology, showcasing mental disorders as a deadly enemy for the living. Jackson’s depiction of internal anguish and portrayal of complex relationships, along with her clever use of diction lead readers to devour one page after another, eager for more. The Haunting of Hill House, an extraordinary 50s novel, is a definite must-read. 

Hill House is a symbol of the destruction and horrors of the human mind. Anthropologist and parapsychologist Dr. Montague, aware of the property’s haunted history, invites Eleanor Vance, Luke Sanderson and Theodora, a selected group of individuals from around the country, to spend a part of their summer at the house, hoping to prove the existence of the paranormal. As the days pass, however, the guests learn that the place is not home to the supernatural. Instead, the house triggers sightings, movements, and sounds that vary from person to person. This leads the inhabitants to feel disconnected from the rest of the world by trapping them in their own heads, creating a never-ending sense of solitude. On the other hand, in the novel’s TV show adaptation ghosts are an essential component of Hill House and constantly seek to terrorize its occupants. While this approach best fits the common horror genre trope, Jackson’s written novel showcases pure terror in an abnormal yet appalling manner. There is nothing more frightening than to lose complete touch with reality, to be incapable of fighting what is merely a product of the imagination, and failing to battle the fear that arises within one’s head. As the story progresses, the characters’ mental states deteriorate, leading to utter chaos inside the house. Hill House, a veil of psychological turmoil, demonstrates how one’s mind can be more deadly than any demon or spirit roaming the grounds.

Character relationships in The Haunting of Hill House add extensive depth and accuracy to the story. The bonds between Dr. Montague’s group are anything but bland and one-dimensional, with Eleanor and Theodora’s complicated relationship being the most prominent example. The women become the best of friends during their first days at Hill House, but as madness consumes their rational minds, they continuously turn against the other, to the point where their friendship is replaced by resentment. When danger strikes, however, they never cease to turn to one another for comfort. Eleanor and Theodora would hold hands in the dark, waiting for the wrathful sounds on the walls to perish. They’d then go back to their usual bickering until they’d forgotten why they were feuding in the first place. They’d explore the house and its surroundings together, each of them wondering if they were loved by the other. A bond of pleasant silence, words of rage, and hidden desire marked Eleanor and Theodora’s days at Hill House. Their relationship confused, thrilled, exasperated, and amazed readers. This is because like all character bonds in the novel, it was complex,  authentic, and broken yet steady amidst all the tragedy. Meanwhile, classic horror novels such as It by Stephen King tend to center on a group of people that unites upon facing danger. Arguments and confrontations will surface throughout the story, but it is clear the characters deeply care for one another and their bonds will always remain intact. Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, on the other hand, portrays accurate relationships that are flawed and suffer the harsh yet realistic consequences of human hardships, while also proving to be utterly profound and indestructible. Without a doubt, character bonds make the reading enthralling.

Jackson’s convenient and concise diction further captivates the audience by making the novel enjoyable and easy to read. The author uses compendious and straightforward terms that allow the story to flow smoothly, allowing one to finish the book in a matter of days. She also incorporates clever short phrases that build immense suspense and tension, pushing the readers to instantly move on to the next chapter. The Haunting of Hill House does not contain the excessively formal diction found in older horror novels such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, or the plain wording found in childish horror literature like in Robert Stine’s infamous Goosebumps book series. Instead, it contains a perfect balance between sophistication and simplicity, making the novel timeless. Descriptions are concise but exceedingly vivid, which allows the book to be short but entirely fulfilling. Written in 1959, the novel has an air of both professionalism and succinctness, making it exceptionally delightful with Jackson’s diction highlighting the characters’ mental anguish, their spiraling thoughts, and the evil nature of the house. For the most part, the author focuses on Eleanor’s raging emotions and twisted mind, and the word usage gives readers a clear insight into her slow but evident psychological deterioration. This aspect further adds to the captivating nature of the story, which evidently, is incapable of boring its audience. 

The Haunting of Hill House, exceptionally horrifying, should be at the very top of your reading list. The human mind, filled with flourishing ideas and magnificent creations, is a space prone to being opaqued by darkness. A story that accurately depicts this mental decay in an evocative yet schematic fashion, while also shedding light on complex character relationships, deserves prodigious recognition.