Hell House by Richard Matheson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hell House
Book Review: One of the great haunted house stories
Summary: 5 Stars
Richard Matheson is the horror writer that everyone seems to know without ever knowing his name. The Incredible Shrinking Man, Stir of Echoes and What Dreams May Come are all his, along with I Am Legend (made into the movies The Last Man on Earth and The Omega Man) and such wonderful short stories as Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (a classic Twilight Zone episode) and Duel (adapted into an early Spielberg made-for-TV movie). I could go on, but I think my point is clear: his name may not be as big as King or Koontz, but Richard Matheson is one of the biggest horror writers out there.
Hell House (also adapted into a movie, The Legend of Hell House) is yet another reason why Matheson is the tops in his field. A dying rich man wants to know if there is life after death. He recruits three people to provide the answer: Lionel Barrett, a parapsychologist who believes in "supernormal" phenomena but dismisses ghosts as mere delusion. Florence Tanner, an ex-actress and spiritualist medium. Ben Fischer, the only survivor from the last foray into Hell House thirty years earlier.
These three, along with Barrett's wife Edith, are indeed going to Hell House, the nickname for the Belasco house that is considered the Mount Everest of haunted houses. These researchers must go into Hell House for a week to see if they can find proof of ghosts. Besides the normal packed clothes and the like, all four carry other baggage; for example Barrett is partially crippled and impotent and his wife is sexually repressed. The house will soon enough start preying on all these weaknesses.
But what haunts Hell House? Is it the ghost of the viciously evil Belasco, as Florence believes? Or is it merely the psychic residue of the many atrocities that took place within its walls, as Barrett believes? Can the answer be determined before they become the house's latest victims?
Matheson is as good as ever in telling this tale. As with many of his stories, he is adept at making the reader doubt whether some of the events that occur are truly happening or merely imagined by the characters. Admittedly, with the shifting viewpoints of the four, it seems likely that something "supernormal" is going on.
Among haunted house stories, this is one of the best in the bunch. I suggest it is read along with Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, which bears some similarities to Hell House and was probably an influence on Matheson. However, even if you never read Jackson's book, don't skip this one; it is a classic story from a classic writer.
Book Review: Good Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased Hell House to read since I like horror stories and Ghosts. I can say this book keeps your intrest from begining to end, not a dull moment.
Richard Matheson is pretty talented and imaginative in his books, bringing it to life and plus you should have a vivid imagination to boot, that is what makes the book so interesting, that.., and the writer. If it isn't there it isn't happening, but this book is happening. I only like to read stories that are interesting and holds my intrest.
Book Review: I Don't Get It
Summary: 2 Stars
Stephen King himself calls HELL HOUSE "the scariest haunted house novel ever written." The book has harvested acres of accolades from countless horror fans. The novel even spawned a movie or two. So why did I finish HELL HOUSE and yawn, nonchalantly scratch my groin, and wish I could have several hours of my life back?
Could it be, perhaps, that the story was contrived, often even laughable? That the characterization was weak? That the story contained a "mystery of Hell House" that really wasn't a mystery at all? That the author's sexual jollies added nothing to the plot whatsoever? That the ending, which took forever and a day to arrive, was as weak as a popcorn burp?
Yes to all of the above.
Even worse was Matheson's writing style, which had me squirming with its weak word selection (often redundant, with the same words in the same sentence) and obscene reliance on awkward adverbs. Confusedly? Frightenedly? Frenziedly? What the heck(ly)? I kept wondering if I was reading a novel or a mediocre effort from some college kid submitting a classroom assignement.
I was really looking forward to this book, as I bought into the hype that HELL HOUSE was one of Matheson's "signature" works. If this is a signature work, Matheson needs to go back to penmanship class. Very disappointing.
--D. Mikels
Book Review: Riveting!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Shirley Jackson's Haunting of Hill House many years ago, so I found Hell House and decided to give it a try, thinking it could never measure up to Hill House. Boy, was I wrong! This is the scariest story I have read. I read it in a matter of days only because I forced myself to slow down. I will admit, though that I left it at work rather than have it at home! Terrifying!!!!!! Book Review: Good old fashioned booga-booga
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great ghost story. Unlike alot of horror novels which contain blood, gore, and graphic violence, Hell House sneaks up on you in a quiet, subtle way. It's eerie, fast paced, and fun.
4 people are hired to stay for 5 days in a supposed haunted house referred to as Hell House, owned by a man named Emeric Belasco. Belasco used his house to promote excess and human depravity. Drugs and alcohol were plentiful, and those who followed him lost their minds. Eventually, the house was broken into and everyone inside, 27 people, were found dead. Belasco was never found. Lionel Barret; a parapsychology professor, his wife; Edith, and 2 mediums; Florence Tanner and Benjamin Fischer are given 5 days to discover if Hell House is really haunted and if so, by whom. Let the games begin.
Things go bump in the night, voices are heard, bedding rises up in the air, taking shape as though a human is hiding under it. Record players play by themselves and rocking chairs move with no one sitting in them. It is a roller coaster ride into the supernatural.
The characters are all human and believable. They are just as scared as you or I would be, given the same circumstances. No one is a hero. They just want to survive the 5 days, collect their money, and get out, alive. Can they do it? Will they all leave alive? This is a fun book. I really enjoyed it and am sure you will too.