Netflix's series The Haunting of Hill House is widely popular and has helped launch the careers of a multitude of actors, including Victoria Pedretti, who now stars in and is known as a modern scream queen. The show has also sparked a renewed interest in the book on which it was based: 's 1959 gothic horror classic, . More than a memorable ghost story, Jackson's novel is an iconic work of horror literature that has inspired countless other writers—, , , and among them—and was finalist for the National Book Award. But how does the television series compare to the novel?
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for The Haunting of Hill House.
What inspired The Haunting of Hill House?
Shirley Jackson was inspired to write the novel after reading about a group of psychic researchers who spent time in a house believed to be haunted to study the paranormal events there. In an essay, Jackson explained that she was less interested in the investigation itself and more intrigued by what could be learned about the people conducting the investigation. And so character is a driving factor of Jackson's story.
What is The Haunting of Hill House about?
The Haunting of Hill House centers around four main characters who seek to investigate the paranormal activities of Hill House. Luke Sanderson is the heir to Hill House. He acts as host to the others who join him there for a summer devoted to studying the eerie happenings. Dr. John Montague is a supernatural investigator who hopes to find scientific evidence to support the existence of the supernatural. Montague invites two other people to join his investigation due to their previous experiences with supernatural events. The first is Eleanor Vance, a young woman who has lived much of her life as a recluse, caring for her disabled mother. The second is Theodora, an artist and bohemian who thirsts for new experiences.
Although the four new tenants of Hill House get along quite well, it's not long before their perfect summer setup is interrupted by some haunts. The name of the novel promises hauntings, after all. First, they begin to hear banging noises and echoes in the hallways. Doors open and close without reason. And while all of these things could be explained away by wind or the creakiness of an old house, it's hard to find an explanation when written messages start appearing on the walls. Then, Theodora finds blood all over her clothes.
