“The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson is a gothic horror novel that is beautifully written and amazingly terrifying. The haunted house story remains believable with its realistic supernatural elements. Recommended by English teacher Elizabeth Kelly, this book’s combination of intense storytelling and scenery brings the spooky fall atmosphere to life.

The book follows four characters who risk their sanity at Hill House to help Dr. Montague, an anthropologist captivated by the supernatural, capture the paranormal occurrences at the house. Hill House is separated from the rest of the world, far past the town who regards the house with fear. The path up to the house is rough and bumpy, leading to a large gate that is wrapped in chains meant to keep people out, or to keep those who venture past its warning, in.

Almost everyone in the town near Hill House listens to the warnings. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley, however, are exceptions. The old couple is willing to proceed near its doors, even taking care of the house. As Dr. Montague’s guests arrive, the couple greets them with judgment and mockery, cautioning them against entering the house. Their message is laced with an unsettling urgency, leaving an eerie sense of dread hanging in the air.

Among those drawn into Hill House is Luke Sanderson, a member of the family renting the house to Dr. Montague. Viewed by his relatives as a troublemaker, Sanderson’s assignment to accompany the doctor feels more like a punishment than a privilege. Although he may have not chosen to come to Hill House, Dr. Montague’s two assistants did.

One of his assistants, Theodora, initially faces Hill House without fear. In fact, she senses nostalgia within its walls, reminiscent of her previous boarding school. Upon meeting the anxious Eleanor, the two form a swift bond. As the story unfolds, however, Theodora’s role shifts from an ally to an annoyance for Eleanor, leading to a growing tension similar to the undercurrents of Hill House itself.

Eleanor views the house with terror, describing it as utterly vile. While she takes a leading role in the narrative, her reliability as a narrator is compromised by her unstable grip on reality. As the story unfolds, her unhinged energy intensifies. Although many of the incidents are witnessed by all the characters, several are confined solely to Eleanor’s perception, but her fall into madness appears to have begun long before her arrival at Hill House.

Eleanor’s constant targeting by the house and her mental instability makes the book’s ending feel like a culmination of the narrative’s build-up. With each new supernatural event, escalating arguments and rising tension, the novel maintains a nervous energy that keeps readers engaged. Shirley Jackson’s writing is creative and easy to follow, making it a compelling read for anyone at SCHS looking to embrace the fall spirit or seeking a chilling scare.