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Haunting of Hill House | Shirley Jackson

Alright, we just finished the TV show. Who has watched it? I need to discuss!!!!!

#BookToScreen #OpenDiscussion

MinDea I liked how they did the show and all the Easter eggs and nods to the book. However, so much is confusing and seemed like pointless in the show and things never mentioned anything (ie front lights flashing twice, the tall guy, etc). Why did Nell experience what she did with time but no one else? The ending seemed too happy, too buttoned up. Now they're fine? They're not haunted by Hill House anymore? What did you think????? 6y

Jhullie I have half of the last episode to watch... 6y

S3V3N I'm starting this weekend. Hopefully, tonight. 6y

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Jess_Franzino I finished the series yesterday. I‘m so deeply in love with it, I can‘t even begin to put it into words. I need to rewatch it and see if I can pick up all the clues. Did you spot any hidden ghosts? 6y

Tashreads Loved it! Even though it was nothing like the book (except character names and occasional odes like ‘the cup of stars‘). One of the best series of the year. Huzzah Netflix!! 6y

Tashreads @MinDea the front porch light flashing twice was a sign for the kids to come home when they were playing in the woods, so later when it came up I understood it as Hill House calling them home. 6y

Tashreads @MinDea - the tall guy‘s story was explained during Theo‘s “vision” at the end. I understood that all his life he felt so small, so in death he was a towering presence. I also thought he was the guy in the wall??? May be wrong. 6y

Owlizabeth @Tashreads that was my interpretation of the tall guy as well. I liked the series, but there was too much monologue-ing, and the ending was a bit too tidy for my taste. 6y

KimM I understood the tall guy to be the guy bricked up in the wall @Tashreads @MinDea But why did he only haunt the addict? Timothy Hutton did an amazing job as the father. 6y

AmyG @KimM yes...I thought the tall guy was the guy behind the brick wall. I wonder if there is no rhyme or reason when it came to which character was haunted by a particular ghost. And this was season 1. What could season 2 be like? I am wondering if the house/land is sold and haunts another family??? (edited) 6y

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Im on episode 5 - not reading any comments here yet! I don‘t wanna know! 🙈🙉 6y

MinDea @AmyG @Tashreads @Owlizabeth @KimM Yeah the guy behind the wall was the guy following Luke but I guess I never really understood why. Like why did Nell have the bent neck lady following her (which was her) and Luke had the tall guy? That didn't quite make sense to me. I understood it was the house calling them home but it seemed like a fleeting thought. It didn't appear that much in other episodes. 6y

MinDea I loved the show but found the ending to be disappointing. 6y

MinDea @KimM I agree there was no rhyme or reason about who was haunting who. It seemed disconnected at times. 6y

Joy0201 I love the book (although We Have Always Lived in the Castle is my favorite Shirley Jackson) but recognize this isn‘t the book. HOWEVER changing that last iconic line really bothered me. I think it would have been a much better ending had the show shown the family healing, but the house still menacing. You don‘t walk “together” at Hill House. You walk ALONE!!! 6y

Tashreads @Joy0201 - agreed. The last line should have stayed the same. Hill house should always be evil. @MinDea - I thought the ending was a bit Disney too 😂😂 but overall I enjoyed it and was enthralled. 6y

MinDea @Joy0201 yes I totally agree!!! They should have shown the house is still alive at the end. Still there. Waiting. Like even flickering the porch light twice at the end. Just something. 6y

MinDea @Tashreads I was hooked on the show! Just annoyed by the ending. 6y

MinDea @Joy0201 I just borrowed We have always lived in the castle from a friend. I am excited to read it! 6y

Tashreads @KimM @MinDea just a thought re the tall man haunting Luke - could there be a connection because Luke had his fedora hat? 6y

MinDea @Tashreads I think that was why he showed up the first time but why did he continue to haunt him? He got his hat back that night.... 6y

Bklover Just saw this discussion! I loved the series! I agree about the ending though. They sure wrapped everything up neatly! I think I need to watch again to figure out all the nuances and things I missed (edited) 6y

MinDea @bklover I was just thinking how I want to watch it again and see how many ghosts I can see and the book nods I missed or anything else! 6y

Jgotham I‘ve heard that each family member and their haunting represents the stages of grief 6y

MinDea @JHgotham Interesting!!!! I live this idea! 1. Denial. 2. Anger 3. Depression 4. Bargaining 5. Acceptance. I wonder which was which?!? @bklover @Tashreads @Joy0201 @KimM @AmyG @Owlizabeth 6y

Bklover That‘s an interesting thought. Need to think about who‘s who! 6y

AmyG @JHgotham Stages of grief...that‘s a great theory. @Bklover right??? MinDea I, too, was underwhelmed by the ending. 6y

Jgotham @MinDea @AmyG @Bklover Steve is denial, Shirley is anger (mad at Steve and everyone else!) Theo is bargaining-always trying to feel things and make a better outcome, Luke is depression-an addict and he can‘t make it without Nell and Nell is Acceptance-accepting the house and it‘s outcome and helping the kids out:) 6y

Bklover @JHgotham You‘re Brilliant!! And I think you are absolutely correct! 6y

MinDea @bklover I found the article that @Jhgotham is referring to. Pretty interesting theory. https://www.google.com/amp/s/comicbook.com/horror/amp/2018/10/24/haunting-hill-h... 6y

MinDea @AmyG 6y

AmyG Thanks for the article. 6y

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LitsyBuddyRead

Other People's Houses | Abbi Waxman

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Week 2 discussion for Other People's Houses starts now!!! Don't forget to tag people in your comments so they can discuss more with you!

#OPH #LitsyBuddyRead @Jess7 @MinDea #OpenDiscussion

Jess7 I am enjoying the book so far. I am liking Francis‘s personality more since Anne was caught. She doesn‘t seem as judgmental as she came off in the first section. Her one liners still make me laugh 7y

Jess7 I like that Francis came to Anne‘s defense when the judgmental woman they barely knew started gossiping about Anne at the soccer game. I thought the observations made about how people (including Francis) can be quick to judge someone and gossip about a situation when it doesn‘t hit close to home probably reign true for many people (edited) 7y

Jess7 I personally hated Charlie‘s response to finding out his wife cheated. I absolutely get being upset, but how he acted with her around the kids really bothered me. It‘s hard to say how I would act having not been in that situation around kids, but I really don‘t think I would ever tell them that their parent cheated on me. I thought that was uncalled for 7y

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MinDea @Jess7 I completely agree. Francis came off as very judgemental and opinionated about Anne's situation in the first section but seems to have at least understood that although Anne made a mistake and shouldn't have done what she did she still doesn't need to be gossipped about and rumor mongered about. I really like that she stuck up for her. She definitely tried to do the right thing. And sometimes that is all you can hope for in someone. 7y

MinDea For someone to try to do the right thing. 7y

MinDea I find Richard to be a tad pathetic. I don't really feel and for him. Does anyone else feel that way? Or am I sounding heartless? 😆😆 7y

Jess7 Very true @MinDea I was also impressed that she walked to meet Anne and show her kindness, and I liked her response to Charlie when he was being a bit immature in my opinion (at the soccer game) 7y

Jess7 I also think Richard is a bit unstable. Not saying it isn‘t realistic, but he is not doing himself in favors in terms of having any kind of relationship with Anne. His immaturity about the entire situation is showing. @MinDea 7y

Jess7 @britt_brooke what were your thoughts about Richard when we pined over Anne and told Francis he loved Anne at the ice cream parlor ? 7y

theokiereader I‘m starting to not like this book for several reason. First of all, why do all of the SAHMs have to be overweight and described as not caring about their appearance? Second, why is Anne the victim? Should she be gossiped about ruthlessly? No. The way the news traveled around the community was wrong. But, how come people are talking about poor Anne but not poor Charlie? Charlie was nothing but sweet to her, and she cheated on him with....👇 7y

theokiereader The whiniest college professor in the history of college professors. This wasn‘t a little mistake— it was a big mistake. Charlie has every right to be as upset as he was. Now, throwing her out without letting her get clothes was wrong, but he let her back in the house as soon as he cooled off. That sounds pretty darn human to me. I‘m interested to see where the story line goes in regards to Francis‘ marriage. Something is obviously building there. 7y

britt_brooke @MinDea @Jess7 Richard is completely pathetic and selfish. So is Anne, IMO. Thankfully, I‘ve never been in this situation so I have trouble empathizing with either of them. They both suck. Charlie is also a hot mess, but I‘m not saying I‘d be less angry given the circumstances. 7y

britt_brooke @marywag08 The incessant talk about Frances being overweight really started wearing on me. She‘s had 3 kids for Pete‘s sake. 7y

theokiereader @britt_brooke And if they talk about Ava‘s hormones one more time.... 😂😂 7y

britt_brooke @marywag08 😆 Yes! Poor thing. 😬 7y

MinDea @marywag08 @britt_brooke I would agree there is a lot of stereoryping going on. Francis being overweight, Eva and her hormones, etc. I think what I got out of this was "this is life". If you can look past some of the frustrating stereotypes you can see that everyone has their own problems, struggles, ways they deal with things, hopes, fears, goals, etc. I think that makes this book relatable on that level. 7y

MinDea Yes, Anne made a horrible mistake and really messed up. However does she deserve to be kept from her kids, humiliated and gossiped about? I don't think so. If I were Charlie would I be mad, hurt, upset, angry? Oh God yes! I don't know if I am a public sort of person about my feelings so I probabaly wouldn't have done what he did (locking her out, yelling at her at the soccer game, etc) but he has every right to feel the way he does. 7y

Jess7 I‘m not on Anne‘s side. I don‘t think what she did was right or ok. I just think Charlie needs to get it together in front of the kids. Personally if I were ever in that situation I don‘t think I would fell the kids my husband cheated on me unless or until they were much older. I just wouldn‘t want there to be a chance of them hating their dad (or in this case hating the mom). I just didn‘t like how he acted in that particular situation. @marywag08 7y

Jess7 So I think that‘s why I mentioned it. I get being upset, wanting her to move out of the house, yelling, being upset etc... I dont even really fault him for the big fight he had at the house (although I wish he had not of done that). I think my dislike of Charlie really comes down to the moment when he told the one kid about what happened. @marywag08 that felt very selfish and didn‘t feel like he was thinking about the repercussion of that 7y

Jess7 As for the portrayal of the SAHM - I felt like that was mainly aimed at Francis in particular, but I‘m not sure that‘s how the book is conveying all SAHMs, but maybe I just didn‘t catch those parts. @marywag08 @britt_brooke - I love Francis‘s quick wit and sarcastic comments. I‘ve laughed a lot. @MinDea (edited) 7y

theokiereader @MinDea I personally wouldn‘t call Charlie‘s actions “keeping her away from her kids.” He actually seems to be giving her quite a bit of access this early on in the process. Most couples going through a divorce would not openly invite the cheating spouse to a soccer game, for example. I‘ve seen some friends go through family court, and it‘s very rarely pleasant. Charlie seems willing to work with Anne, IMO. It‘s kinda a classy move on his part. 7y

MinDea @Jess7 @marywag08 yeah, maybe I missed that but I thought Anne and Iris were both described as skinny, happy, easy going stay at home moms. Each with their own problems but I guess I don't picture them as overweight or disheveled like I did Francis. 7y

Jess7 I agree @marywag08 @britt_brooke @MinDea Richard is a bit hopeless and thoroughly naive 7y

MinDea Have you finished the book @marywag08 ? 7y

theokiereader @Jess7 @MinDea I actually support telling the kids what happened more than the fight in the neighborhood. 😂😂 The fight in the neighborhood was public shaming. However, telling the kids was necessary. If he didn‘t explain what happened, the kids might think that Anne left because she didn‘t want to be their mommy anymore. The fact that he invited her over for that conversation was again kind of a classy move, IMO. 7y

MinDea I agree. Some people definitely have ugly awful knock out custody battles. I personally went through that with my parents when they got divorced. I also know quite a few people who have amicably split and have been very good about how they handle the kids. I think everyone handles divorce differently. It isn't easy to fun for anyone. 7y

britt_brooke @MinDea I agree, I think the only one described as overweight and unkempt is Frances, but it‘s repeated many times. I think the others are described as thin and stylish. @marywag08 @Jess7 (edited) 7y

theokiereader @MinDea Nope. I‘m purposely not reading ahead so I don‘t accidentally spill the beans. 😂😂 #thestruggleisreal 7y

theokiereader @britt_brooke @MinDea @Jess7 Isn‘t Iris described as overweight, too? I might have gotten the wrong picture in my mind after the ice cream scene. I know the author was describing her grandma jammies. 7y

britt_brooke @marywag08 I think it was just the weird pjs, but I‘m not 100% sure now that you mention it. 7y

theokiereader @britt_brooke Now I‘m curious. I‘ll have to check after I finish picking my kids up from school (no carpool involved 😉) (edited) 7y

Jess7 I see what you mean, but I guess I think despite the infidelity, I think Charlie owed it to the kids to have a conversation with Anne before telling the kids anything. I think they should have decided together. I dunno im a person who separates things. So like if I‘m upset with my husband, I dont let it get in the way of our obligations. @marywag08 7y

MinDea Gotcha. @marywag08 I finished it. Definitely interested in your thoughts once you finish it! I love the discussion!! I feel bad for everyone in this situation. The kids, Charlie and Anne. Sometimes people do things not really fully understanding the repercussions or the fall out of said actions. I think that makes you human. Both Anne and Charlie are being very human in this book. 7y

MinDea I think it was just the weird PJs she liked but not her as being frumpy or overweight. I thought she was described as skinny and lovely. 7y

britt_brooke @marywag08 Ha! I‘m in the pick up line now. No car pool here either. 😆 I‘m not that nice! 7y

theokiereader @MinDea I completely agree. These situations happen in real life, and it‘s hard for people not to get hurt. 7y

Jess7 I thought Iris‘s Wife was described as the better looking one, but I never thought she was overweight. I honestly don‘t even picture Francis as overweight - just maybe not gym toned. Basically, just average and like most everyone, she is a little insecure about it, but her love of tasty food and being really busy has prevented her from toning up. Haha story of my life half the time lol @marywag08 7y

britt_brooke @Jess7 I agree. I think with such sensitive situations, you have to have some prep time and not just blurt stuff out. My brother and his wife have separated twice over the last 2 years (eerily similar situation), but remain together now. They have 2 small kids and I often wonder how they have explained it to a 7 and 5 year old. None of my business, but I‘m genuinely curious. 7y

MinDea No car pick up for me when I was a kid. It was walking to the school or a bus for me! 😆😆😆 7y

MinDea I know someone who was cheated on by both her husband's and her plan was to tell her kids on their respective 18th birthdays that their father cheated on her and that men are evil scumbags and never trust them. 🤔🤔 I hope in the 14-17 years she has to wait she rethinks this plan. 😆😆 @Jess7 @britt_brooke @marywag08 7y

britt_brooke @Jess7 That‘s the problem. Frances is not exactly enormous, just a bit soft maybe after popping out 3 kids. Honestly, she‘s probably thinner than the average American. 7y

britt_brooke @MinDea Oh no! 😬😆 7y

britt_brooke @MinDea Bus for me, too, lol! 7y

Jess7 Did the book call her enormous or something? I think I missed that. I think I just assumed it was her own insecurities about it. I never pictured her really overweight. @britt_brooke 7y

MinDea @Jess7 there is like a comment about Francis's weight in every chapter! It is a tad ridiculous. Ok. We get it. Move along. Nothing to see. Lets dive deeper into the characters if we need me words per chapter. 😆😆😆 7y

Jess7 I must have just ignored it. It‘s hard to tell when it‘s in third person narration whether you‘re supposed to take the comments as someone‘s inner monologue or the author‘s subjective view that she wants to impart on the reader. I probably just chalked it up to being Francis‘s inner monologue or something and was laughing at her other witty thoughts @MinDea @britt_brooke 7y

britt_brooke @Jess7 @MinDea It‘s like her weight becomes its own character. It‘s ridiculous. 7y

MinDea 😆😆😆😆 @britt_brooke So true! It is so unnecessary! 7y

theokiereader @MinDea And don‘t forget the talk of Ava‘s hormones! At one point, Ava even attributed her own attitudes to her hormones. I was like, “Come on!” No teenager would EVER admit their behavior was due to their hormones! 7y

MinDea 😆😆😆😆 @marywag08 !!! So true!!! 7y

TracyReadsBooks What I‘m enjoying most about the book is how the author describes some of the more mundane aspects of daily life—situations that many of us have encountered & can relate to. Also, it‘s totally quotable! The relationship between Frances & Ava remains the most interesting (though I doubt that was the author‘s intent). As for the center of all the neighborhood drama, Anne & Charlie, I don‘t find either one, as written, to be particularly sympathetic. 7y

Jess7 I agree @TracyReadsBooks - I think Francis‘s observations are extremely relatable and very quotable! 🤗 7y

DanaManiac I finally caught up to this week‘s reading, and I find the storyline to be very interesting. First of all, I cannot believe the way that Ava speaks to her mom. It‘s incredibly nasty. I also struggle with the plentiful descriptions of Frances‘ body- seems so irrelevant. 7y

DanaManiac @TracyReadsBooks I agree with you in that I find it hard to feel for Ann and Charlie. I feel like we were introduced to their problems so quickly, and there wasn‘t enough of a history with them for me to feel fully invested in them as characters. 7y

TheRomantiCate So I finally caught up and I agree with @Dana1084 and @TracyReadsBooks. It‘s almost like Anne and Charlie‘s issue which should be a catalyst event are a side note because there‘s so little background given to the two of them other than Anne was unhappy. And I‘m getting very suspicious of Michael.. and Sara to a degree. And what‘s going on with Bill and Julie?? And yeah, Ava reminds me a lot of my younger sister with the way she talks to Frances. 7y

TracyReadsBooks @Dana1084 and @TheRomantiCate Yes! Everything you both said. We don‘t know enough about Anne and Charlie to really care or be invested and because we don‘t have much in the way of backstory, they simply aren‘t that interesting. Perhaps the author wants us to view them only through these brief glimpses, show us how people react without really knowing the people or events involved?!? I don‘t really think that‘s her intention, however. Not really. 7y

TheRomantiCate @TracyReadsBooks It could be in keeping with that theme of glass houses. We‘re “based” in Frances and Michael‘s house so we only get those glimpses of the “Other Peoples‘ Houses” and are then left to make our own judgements... kinda like the exchange between Frances and Shelly in chapter 24... (edited) 7y

TracyReadsBooks @TheRomantiCate Yes, could be. 7y

Jennifer3 I like this book a lot. Her writing style has drawn me in. I don‘t have anything earth shattering to say about it, I am just enjoying the characters and storylines. (edited) 7y

Bookishgal71 I love the paragraph in chapter 16 that says that other parents get to see a more perfect version of our kids than we do. So true! 7y

Suelizbeth @MinDea That‘s it exactly. Everyone is being human in this book. No one escapes that characterization, and no one is perfectly likable at all times. 7y

SandyW @Jess7 @MinDea While I don't like the idea of parents badmouthing each other to their children, I think it is a very human reaction to an unanticipated and devastating wound. IMO, one of the most difficult things about going through a divorce with kids would be attempting to maintain a level of civility with the cheating spouse before you've even had time to digest what's happened yourself. 7y

mrozzz @TracyReadsBooks 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 7y

SandyW @marywag08 I agree 100% that Anne should not be catin the role of victim. IMO what she did cannot be classified as a mistake. She had an ongoing affair. That cannot be classified as a mistake. 7y

SandyW ... a one night stand, or a drunken encounter, maybe. But conducting an affair over a period of time involves active calculation and scheming, and an awareness of what you are doing to your partner/marriage... no matter how you justify it to yourself 7y

SandyW @Dana1084 I'm not sure that Ava's nastiness towards her mom is unrealistic based on things other people have told me. I had a boss once who came in to work and blurted out, "Amanda is such a bitch." Amanda was her 16yo daughter. (I was horrified.) I have more trouble with how Ava is then so sweet to her mom, or acknowledges how awful she's been. I don't find that at all convincing 7y

SandyW @TheRomantiCate I totally agree re Anne and Charlie. It's hard to care that much about them being so un-invested in them. And yes @TracyReadsBooks I think the author is trying to show is how idle gossip is "wrong." It's human nature though, and they are lucky these fights haven't wound up on YouTube, which would be a more realistic scenario today. 7y

ReaderthenBlogger This far in the story and we see a bit of everyone‘s issues. I think the one that threw me the most is Michael‘s drinking and smoking. He‘s a functioning alcoholic. I wonder when Frances is going to surprise him with her purchases. My heart broke for Kate and Theo when Kate had her breakdown. It definitely shows how what you tell and expect of your children can backfire at anytime. @Jess7 (edited) 7y

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