Hell House by Richard Matheson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hell House
Book Review: Haunting as Hell
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember seeing this book as a movie, I believe, with Catherine Zeta Jones, amongst others. I am enjoying the book far more than the movie, but that is the way I alwasy seem to find it.
It is a great read, a heart-pounding read and I finished it almost in one sitting, but there were so many chores calling me, I had to put it down for now.
I was truly amazing at the novels this author has written including one of my all time favorites (from the movies)":Somewhere in Time." What a beautiful love story - "Stir of Echoes" was wonderful (movie also). This man has so many stories ideas, I am just blown away. I will be reading "I am Legend" after finishing "Hell House." Excellent writer!!
Jeanne
Book Review: real horror
Summary: 5 Stars
Not gonna make a real long drawn out review on this one, but i will simply say that it is well worth it to read this horror story. Kinda like, wow cant believe im reading this...but i cant put it down sort of horror. Read it.Book Review: Welcome to Hell... House
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1919 Emeric Belasco built a large house and set out to create a haven for depravities of all kinds. Dozens of people stayed there and engaged in orgies, drug addiction, murder, cannibalism, and more. Things grew steadily worse until 1929 when family members of some of the denizens broke into the house only to find everyone dead. Everyone but Belasco, who was never found. Since then, anyone entering Belasco House has met with disaster. After a group of parapschologists enter the house in 1940 and nearly all are killed or driven insane, the house is boarded up closed to the world for 30 years. Now, it is 1970 and a dying millionaire has offered $100,000 each to three experts if they will spend a week in the place now known as Hell House and give him proof as to whether or not there is life after death.
Dr. Lionel Barrett is a physicist who believes paranormal activity is the result of electromagnetic radiation. He believes science can explain the happenings in the house as well as cure them. His wife Edith accompanies and assists him. Florence Tanner is a medium who believes she can communicate with the dead and empathically come to an understanding of what needs to be done to release the spirits she believes are trapped in the house. Finally, there is Ben Fischer, the lone survivor of the 1940 mission. He was a 15-year-old psychic prodigy then and barely escaped with his life. Now, at 45, he just wants to survive the week and collect his money.
In many respects, Hell House is a classic haunted house story. We take four people and drop them into an isolated old mansion with an evil history, inexplicable events, voices, objects moving, etc. The longer they stay, the more the danger becomes apparent. They struggle for survival against the house, but also start to turn on each other. At the same time, there is a very scientific feel to much of the book, mainly due to Barrett and his determination to approach the process of investigating using rigorous methodology. Even in one scene involving a s?ance, there are elaborate precautions described to ensure that the medium is unable to cheat in any way.
Character development is very strong throughout the story and each of the four takes a turn in the spotlight. Dr. Barrett is the most authoritative and is somewhat of a paternal figure in the group. Tanner is his polar opposite as she is all about believing in the spirit world and having faith in her abilities as a medium. Edith is emotionally and sexually repressed and lacks any identity away from her husband. Fischer starts off extremely frightened because of what happened the first time he came to the house, but grows the most during the story as he struggles to confront the evil that he's hidden from for the past 30 years.
Hell House is a must-read for any fan of haunted house stories. It is partly a horror novel and partly an exposition on parapsychology itself. There are a number of scenes that involve some fairly graphic descriptions of sexual situations, so those who are offended by such material might want to skip this book. Anyone else looking for a good tale, or an interesting character study would do well to give Hell House a try.
Book Review: Fantastic, but graphic
Summary: 5 Stars
The book is excellent, and should not be missed. Loved every page and read it in about two days.
Be aware, however, that it describes nudity in some detail a few times, usually in the context of (unwilling) sexual tension. One scene includes some very graphic, violent rape. If you are personally uncomfortable with that type of depiction, try another of Mathison's books, like I Am Legend.
Book Review: Not terrifying, but a good read
Summary: 4 Stars
After reading "The House on Haunted Hill" I was so dissapointed that I quickly searched for an actually scary novel. "Hell House" was highly recommended, and it is indeed a good haunted house story. No, it didn't keep me awake at night, but I did read it in a couple sittings and I felt satisfied when finished. It's more mysterious and disturbing than frightening. And much more erotic than I expected; similar to Steven King's writing I suppose. A good ghost story.