The Shining – Stephen King
Just in case you’re one of the two people who don’t know the plot, let me summarise for you. Jack Torrance decides to become the winter custodian of the Overlook Hotel, bringing his wife and young son Danny with him to the isolated building. Jack has a troubled past and Danny has ‘the shine’, and the Overlook will do anything to use one to get the other...
The Shining really is the classic ‘haunted hotel’ story. In another of his stories, ‘1408’, King wonders how many people had slept in that room? How many died? How many went insane? Hotels always have a past, and The Overlook’s past is a doozy. I really, really recommend you read the book over watching the film. The film is good, but it misses all the nuances that really make this a terrifying story.
The Woman in Black – Susan Hill
Solicitor Arthur Kipps is summoned to a small coastal town to settle the affairs of Mrs Alice Drablow, an elderly widow who lived out in the isolated Eel Marsh House. As he attempts to do his business there, he is impeded by the villagers who seem hell-bent on keeping him away. At Mrs Drablow’s funeral, he spots the titular Woman in Black. However, when he mentions her to others, they become terrified and try even harder to stop him finding out the truth...
Although this book is a beautifully written Victorian/Edwardian ghost story, it was actually published in 1983. You’ve probably already seen the film, seeing as it was Daniel Radcliffe’s first post Harry Potter project, but I really, really recommend you read the book too. It’s only a slim tome, but not a word is wasted. Plus, the ending is what can only be described as a sucker punch to the gut. If you’re not crying by the end, you’re not human.
The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson
Dr. John Montague rents out Hill House for the summer, hoping to investigate the paranormal phenomena that happens there. Joining him are Luke Sanderson, the heir of the house, Theodora, an artist, and Eleanor Vance. The latter two were invited as they are receptive to the paranormal. During their stay, Eleanor experiences more and more spiritual events, although no one is sure whether they really are being haunted, or Eleanor is slowly losing her mind?
This has been described by many as the seminal haunting story, and it’s easy to see why. The first rule in horror is ‘the monster you see isn’t nearly as scary as the monster you can’t’, and in Haunting we never see what is reaching out to the inhabitants of the house. Also, it’s never explained exactly what is happening to Eleanor. She’s a resentful character, having cared for her invalid mother until her recent death, then being dominated over by her sister, she was desperate to escape her life. Was she really being haunted, or was it all a fake?
I hope you enjoyed my picks, and give at least one a go. Unrelated, Zombie Outbreak are not liable for any nightmares you incur while doing so.
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