Just read Hannibal, and I loved it. I dont think hearing Hannibal's inner voice demystifies his character. All of Thomas Harris' books do that with the villains. It seems like a reasonable evolution to see more of one of his most popular characters. It's more terrifying to me as he is normalized, he is scary because he can blend in with society, a wolf in sheep's clothing.
I personally loved how Silence built up Clarice as a brave heroine and then Hannibal showed how the misogyny of the FBI brought her down and made her susceptible to Hannibal's manipulation. It's a very sad character arc that the movie missed.
His inner voice actually mystifies him more as his whole 'memory palace' shows just how in control he is over his own thoughts, memories and emotions. It made Silence make so much more sense as it showed how he could remain so calm and entertained in prison just by opening the rooms in his palace and enjoying his memories and all the sights and scents and sounds he can recreate in his mind.
Totally agree on The Haunting of Hill House. I read it twice because i was left feeling confused and thought i missed something, then realized it just wasn't for me and never clicked for me.
It's really a psychological story about a woman who feels trapped, desperately wants to feel special, and cannot connect with others. Everything that seems haunted can be explained rationally, and yet she wants to believe (so as to be special), with her going so far as to become the next "victim." It's like how when a prisoner commits suicide because at least then they could gain some control over their existence. If you view the book as a psychological piece and not a haunted house story, it does make a sad kind of sense. Many of Jackson's work tends to have a psychological element, often involving a woman who feels trapped or persecuted.
I think The Haunting of Hill House isn't so much over-hyped as wrongly hyped. All the different movies and tv-series have taken the idea of a haunted house and an experiment and run with it in wild directions. Jackson's story is more of a subtle psychological exploration and not really a haunted house story. Everybody who picks it up expects a scary ghost story, and then they get something else entirely. And so people get confused and disappointed and feel a bit let down. I still thought it was a good book but I had to seriously amend my expectations while I read it. Thanks for the mention of Zombie. I had no idea Oates even wrote horror!
I think you're mostly right, the book kind of makes the audience think about two possibilities: that the paranormal happenings aren't real and it's mainly in the main character's insanity, or that the house only haunted her because the house wanted her but was disinterested in everyone else, which is the idea that inspired Stephen King's premise of The Shining. (He also had nightmares about hotel objects attacking his son so he merged the two ideas together lmao). Thing is, a lot of the greatest classic horror stories end up actually being like this, though. Look at Frankenstein, which is more an exploration of morality and ethics than it is of horror or science fiction. The Turn of the Screw, which like The Haunting of Hill House is ambiguous. The Haunting of Hill House also explores some subtle lesbian undertones that add more meaning to the story. I guess I can see how some people reading the novel can glance over a lot of the meaning behind it and not notice, but to me I thought it was plain to see and I loved the novel immensely. To me it's a five out of five. Maybe people expect Hell House by Richard Matheson, which is also a fantastic haunted house novel but is a lot more insidious and fucked up. In a lot of cases of these books that people have different expectations of, I wonder how much of it is because the person doesn't actually really look into what the novel's about ahead of time (though that's also not a bad thing, it can be beneficial to go into a story blind, as in with no expectations, and here there's expectations just wrong ones) or if they hear other people raving about the novel they don't really listen to what those fans are saying. Not to say that you can still have a good idea of what you're going in for and still find the novel's not really for you. I understand Frankenstein completely but find it's not my cup of tea.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who did not care for The Haunting of Hill House. I am always afraid to tell people my opinion of this book because everyone always tell me what a great book it is.
I'm not ever going to tell people they are wrong about not liking any book. I am surprised to hear that there are horror fans that didn't love The Haunting of Hill House, but at the same time, that's the spice of life. Everyone has different opinions and experiences. If we all had the same tastes, it would be boring. And a book can be great, but just not be your cup of tea. It's so frustrating when people tell you you have to like it because it is widely considered great. Like, okay, but it's not my vibe. There is no story that has ever existed that hasn't had readers that didn't like it, no matter how good it is.
When reading a book written in a different period, I put it in the perspective of the time. Morals were different in the 40's and 50's and some horror we read today would never have been published then. But, I'm an old soul and enjoy some of the older books more than some written today. Re Paperbacks from Hell...I read The Auctioneer by Joan Samson. I thought it was a fantastic thriller.
The book may have been written in a different time, but I'm a modern reader, so if I think a book is offensive and/or poorly written, it having been published before my time doesn't make it more enjoyable imo.
I recently finished the audiobook for Tender is the Flesh and my mind was blown!! 😳 The society's justification for cannibalism and scenes at the processing plant deeply disturbed me, but the story drew me in and I couldn't put it down for hours. I hope to read Agustina Bazterrica's other works soon!
man, there is not one video since I found you that I haven't put something in my TBR! The way you talk about books really resonates with me so you always tend to sway me
Sorry for the non-book related comment, but I'd love to see a tutorial of how to do your hairstyle as it looks amazing. Not sure if I'd be able to pull it off (weird shaped face) but would love to try!!
Omg finally someone else who felt the same about the Haunting of Hill House. It did nothing for me whatsoever, I remember finishing and basically just shrugging. Great video! I added the Terror and From Below to my wishlist, they both sound really intriguing
I made a reading challenge for myself this year of TH-cam Favorites and your square is The Terror. I'm nervous (its so big) but excited. Its the last to read for the challenge but I've been holding onto it for the colder months. Seeing it pop up again on your list gives me hope.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was a random purchase that really surprised me. I think it's a trilogy, although I haven't read the others yet (not sure if I mentioned that in this video).
I agree about the haunting of hill house being overrated. It didn’t really resonate for me either, although I did still buy it because I felt like it should “be in my collection” (I think this just shows that I have a problem with purchasing physical media). Secondly, full-heartedly agree about “The terror” being underrated. Definitely one of my favorite books ever, and I think that it will be seen more and more as a modern classic, if it isn’t already. Regarding other underrated books, I would also include “Rosemary’s Baby” as I think it is a nice short read that is really fast-paced and fun, but people talk more about the movie than the book. “The loop” by Jeremy Robert Johnson read really quickly for me as well, and the characters were so engaging and likable. It is YA adjacent with a stranger things feel, but it gets way way darker. Lastly, I think “off season” by Jack Ketchum is one of his books that I don’t feel like is talked about nearly enough. Regarding “perfectly rated,” I would also include “Salem’s Lot” in your Stephen King group. Anyways, love your videos. Keep it up!
Zombie sounds amazing, will for sure be keeping my out for that in the charity shop I work at. I mostly just sort books there and I've bought so many more than I read lol. The manger only a couple weeks ago told me now I can just take books for free so I am for sure looking for zombie. Great video and good on you for just saying you don't like it if you don't. We are allowed to not like something no matter how renowned it is. I really love Haunting on hill house films and the Series so for sure going to have read the book, I wonder how alike it is.
To Anda's point concerning Hill House, the reading experience is pretty subjective, either you like the book, or you don't. So what. In the end, it's a numbers game for author; meaning they hope the book appeals to as many people as possible. Clive Barker is my favorite author; some people don't like his books and express their opinions about it on YT. Barker's writing doesn't appeal to them and that's ok. Btw, just because a book is literary canon doesn't mean we have to like it.
I love The Surgeon. Gerritsen has a lot of great books. I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but she has a sequel to The Surgeon that is pretty great as well. It's called The Apprentice.
I've reread The Surgeon a couple times. I've planned on rereading The Apprentice and then continue with the series in order. I've read a number of her other books, but never carried on with the Rizzoli & Isles book series.
I think the following dont get enough attention in the horror community. i rarely see them getting recommended. And it feels like these books are very underrated gems. 1. The Fisherman by John Langan 2. Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven 3. Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout. 4. The Haunted Forest Tour by Jeff Strand/ James A Moore
Have you read any Mo Hayden? Tokyo aka the demon of Nanking, is amazing and has one of the most creepy villains, yet this villain doesn’t speak. Excellent!
Hannibal is so weird because I did like the novel but I recognized it was a huge step down from the first two. It introduces all this off-the-wall hypnotism shit even though what made the first two novels so great was how grounded in realism they were. That's the aspect that ends up taking over in the end of the book that makes Hannibal weak. Then you have the movie adaptation, which does a great job of taking away the hypnotism in favor for a better, more logical ending and Clarice feeling more like she should, but they fuck it up by making a large break in the case being made by "scent experts" that can sniff letters like a dog sent from someone, pinpoint the exact perfume or cologne they wear in an instant, and somehow use that knowledge to find where the person is based on where that perfume/cologne is made or sold. Like what the hell, is it that hard to make an all around decent end to the Hannibal Lector trilogy that both versions have to be almost good but not quite? We don't talk about Hannibal Rising, though. In Hannibal, it mentions something from Lector's past that the audience is able to piece together that that is what messed him up. We didn't need an entire novel to explain it, and we certainly didn't need to read about Lector wanting to fuck his Japanese step-mother since he was like five years old. Not to mention, in Hannibal Rising, it makes Lector seem like a vigilante, killing only bad people, yet we know from the Hannibal Trilogy that that is not how he operates at all. So Hannibal Rising not only makes his origin less appealing and makes him less mysterious and more a textbook psychopath, it also can't keep its own lore straight. That's my rant about the Hannibal series. I still thought Hannibal was entertaining, both the book and the movie. Just with a lot of flaws that prevent me from promoting it to "love it" status.
Loved the under rated book recommendations! Added a few to my TBR. For me personally, "A head full of Ghosts" by Paul Tremblay and "Horrorstör" by Grady Hendrix were over rated. Books that deserved more hype though, "A dark Dividing" by Sarah Rayne, "World War Z" by Max Brooks and "The Amityville Horror" by Jay Anson.
I've see a few people talking about his books, but I've read two books by Dennis Cooper this year and have absolutely loved every second of them. Super underrated for sure, and really great extreme horror books. I read both Try and The Sluts and they blew me away.
The first -and thus far only - Ania Ahlborn book that I've read was "Seed" and like you I found it slightly underwhelming. I plan to read more of her and would appreciate any recommendations as to what to choose next. Although over-hyped might not be ascribed to classic tales "The Turn Of The Screw" by Henry James and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture Of Dorian Gray", I read them pretty much back to back and - much revered as they may be - I found myself struggling to reach the last pages in both cases.
Personally I didn’t like From Below, I thought it could have been 100 pages shorter and I didn’t end up finishing it as it dragged for me. But I really liked her other books like Dead of Winter which you also recommended! 😄
You're one of the first people that I see disliking The Haunting of Hill House, I felt almost bad for not understanding what all the fuss was about. It was very hard to read it until the end, and I considered reading it again to try and understand what I missed but now you have reassured me and hopefully there's more of us out there lmao!
I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time when you told that person to suck it!! Some people have all the nerve .... oh, I didn't like The Haunting of Hill House either .... guess it puts me in good company!! Take care!!
Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going Where Have You Been? is the scariest short story I have ever read. It’s not gory or spooky or violent (besides what is implied) it’s creepy in a realistic way. Just the way the main character slowly starts to realize more and more that is OFF. Ugh, it still gets me.
I loved The Terror. I read it during the winter, so very atmospheric read for me. I liked Tender Is The Flesh. Very disturbing read but that's what we are looking for 😮. And Pet Sematary....always a classic and one of my all-time favorites.
It’s cool you brought up The Terror. I just finished it a week or two ago. While I enjoyed it. I felt it was really over worded. Maybe a couple hundred pages too long. But the story was fantastic. Also I read The Surgeon last year and would agree, I enjoyed it.
Agreed about HANNIBAL. Hannibal Lecter is one of those characters that best remains an enigma. The more we learn about him, the less interesting he becomes. I read THE SURGEON years ago and remember liking it a lot. Good call! Here is an under-rated horror book: FEVRE DREAM, by George R.R. Martin. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it is one of the Top 3 best vampire novels ever written. It's fantastic. But I don't recall the last time I saw anyone recommending it.
I have been checking my used bookstore constantly looking for Zombie by Oates. I have definitely made a TBR list from all your recommendations! I have managed to find a few of Darcy Coates but not all the ones I wanted but im going to keep looking. I am also going to add some of these books to my list now!!!! Thank you 😊
The first time I read The Haunting of Hill House, I was in my teens. I didn't like it at all. Then, I read it again in my 50s. It resonated so deeply that I immediately read it again. Perhaps I just identified more with the characters as an adult than when I was a child. The house preyed on the main character's insecurities, knowing that the "well-adjusted" people around her would never understand her pain or accept her, but the house would, for a price. The horror of the book was that the house offered the main character a sense of belonging even as the living turned her away because they just didn't have the will or inclination to give a $@#!.
I think some underrated gems would be Queen of Teeth by Hailey Piper, Yellow Jessamine by C. Starling everything by Cassandra Khaw, Quiet Houses by Simon K Unsworth and Things We Lost In the Fire by Mariana Enriquez
I love The Shining😅 I have to reread it and rewatch it every year. I also live in CO, and visiting Estes Park is a favorite place of mine. The town is so beautiful and the Stanley is breathtaking. Its always gets me into spooky season. And yes, the book and movie are two completely different things. The book will always be superior. But the movie is still a masterpiece. However, the made for tv version is fantastic and follows the book a lot closer and is filmed at location at The Stanley Hotel.
Oh man! I visited The Stanley years ago and it was so beautiful! The town was so cute and everyone was so nice out there. I really want to visit again.
I would switch Hill House and Tender is the Flesh. Tender is one of the most overrated books I've ever encountered; and Hill House deserves the love it gets, especially considering its influence on the future voices of horror.
I’m a professional bookseller (we go to trade school for three years to become one in Germany) and I absolutely hate The Haunting of hill House. I wouldn’t hate it on its own, since I just found it extremely boring. But the way people overhype this book in the most stick up way makes me despise it
Re. the doodles in Joyce Carol Oates "Zombie": the ultimate novel containing doodles and drawings by the author has to be "Breakfast Of Champions" by your favourite Kurt Vonnegut!
I read Missouri may be a year and a half ago and I loved it and the movie adaptation is awesome. Kathy Bates is awesome in it as well as James Caan as the titular author Paul Shelton.
Have you read any books by David Sodergren? The haar, Maggie's grave are both really good horror books. I currently am reading the forgotten island. Personally really enjoy his writing style and its just an easy enjoyable read for me. For example, I have tried reading the deep by nick cutter by recommendation, but I find it much harder to continue to read. David sodergren has a flowy style to it that (as a newbie to reading) I can read for long sessions
Your channel is great and is very much appreciated by those that appreciate it, and those who don’t appreciate it can respectfully go elsewhere, is my humble opinion. I find it so rude when people comment on something being bad form or not a good look like that person did, just go watch something else already and let everyone else enjoy the content without them bad vibes mucking up the flow in here. Ugh ❤ And thanks for so many good recommendations as always 😊
I read the Shirley Jackson novel you said was overrated. I couldn't agree with you more. I was like, "THAT was HORROR?! That wasn't even SCARY!" As for JCO's Zombie... for as much as I agreed with you on Haunting of Hill House, I *DISAGREE* with you *MORE* about Zombie, which I *ALSO* read. I HATED IT. One of the three worst novels I've ever finished. Sad, really, as she has at least three others that really caught my eye. But Zombie put me so far off reading anything else by her that I just can't. Keep up the good work though. 😊
Very much in agreement with you about Haunting Of Hill House. I was so disappointed. All in all, nothing really happens! It was quite confusing as you said and did not live up to it's hype. Just my opinion 😁
i think the one are Stephen King might be actually underrated is his short story collections. His novels often feel dense and over written for me but when he does short form they are angular and lyrical little stories and they're stellar
Don't apologize for not liking a book. I personally liked Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, but I also enjoy hearing from others who did not like the book. Thank you for being honest in your reviews. Reader and Book have to bond for the journey to be a success.
I didn't like Brother by Ahlborn - I ended it giving it a 3 because the ending was genuinely good and surprising, but it wasn't a book for me, and I'd say it's extremely overhyped. I just finished Haunting of Hill House, and while I loved it and connected to the main character in particular, it wouldn't surprise me if someone else didn't like it. Many don't lol and that's completely fine.
REVIVER could have taken its idea from UBIK(1969), where people after death are cooled down and the living can communicate with their brains while they are slowly fading out. It's not horror, it's psychedelic SF.
I read From Below a few months ago after watching your review. Loved it!
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The Haunting of Hill House is not the first "haunted house" novel, not by a long stretch. Haunted house stories go back to the 17th~18th century, and you can find plenty of short stories, tales, novels and nouvellas with that subject. In fact, 1959 is very late for genre which spiked with gothic revival and romantic periods.
I liked Richard Matheson's "Hell House" way more than Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House". I enjoyed "Haunting", but I don't get the fanatical love for it that others have for it.
I actually really liked Seed. I think the mother acted exactly as most would if their children were in a dire situation. She's very flustered and frustrated because she has an overbearing mother and a husband who's keeping secrets and a child she's afraid of. I do think the book was longer than it needed to be and the ending was holy crap crazy. I really love the ending that made the whole book great for me.
From Below: it's at the library near me so I'll check it out. Tender: like Hawk Mountain by Connor Habib, , very disturbing tale. I loved it. Great content.
@AndaKent There are a couple about an hour and a half away but there were some awesome ones for years that shut down and nothing has come along even close. One day hopefully.
I agree with you on The Haunting of Hill House.... I was disappointed.. didn't live up to the hype. Though I do love her writing style, the book was boring. We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a 5⭐ all time fave for me though.
I had to read Castle for a class in high school whereas I read HHH on my own, and I always held the reverse of your sentiment. Maybe I need to revisit Castle and read it of my own accord.
@@DrawtheCurtains it's all good, we all like different things ☺ though timing can play a big role. why always fun to re-read and see if we've changed our mind. also if you're "forced" to read something then that can make it not as fun lol (like with school)
I know I've already suggested it but based on what you seem to like you reeeaaally have to read House of Leaves. Definitely a love it or hate it kind of story but it's very unique, goes deeper thematically than probably any other horror book I've ever read, and will give you nightmares if not full blown paranoia...and who doesn't want that? 😅
It's so interesting to hear that you don't like Shirley Jackson's the Haunting of Hill House (which is totally your valid take and gatekeepers can take a hike your taste is your taste) seeing as she is one of my all-time favorite writers. Not throwing shade I think it is cool that you didn't just follow the majority of horror fans just for the sake of it. Enjoyment of any media is subjective. To me it is just this delicious stream fever dream of a story with gorgeous poetic language and the horror lurking behind the aggressively mundane veneer of things. It's more eerie and off-putting than SCARY in my opinion.
Read Leech by Hiron Ennes, it's the author's first and it's amazing. Not perfect, but the story's insanely imaginative and the narrative point of view is first-person-hivemind. The back of the cover calls it "The Alienist meets The Thing" and that's entirely accurate.
Oh my God, I LOVE Hannibal. Such gorgeous writing and operatic. Starling falls under his spell and it's a kind of Gothic romance. But I get that it's not for everyone. They changed it in the equally operatic and beautiful film.
@@AndaKent What did you think of the film? Did you know Harris wrote Hannibal Rising basically with a gun to his head? Producer Dino de Lorentiis told him he would find someone else if he didn't do it. That said, I LOVE Hannibal Rising, more for the prose than the whole origin idea. I didn't need that either but I think Harris made it work. It's like a dark adult fairy tale. The TV series is simply genius. On another level. When I bought the behind the scenes book, the employee at Barnes and Noble gave me a look I still remember years later. Lol.
have you read madhouse at the end of the earth by julian sancton? it seems to be similar to terror based on your description so if you havent already read it you might like it!!
Super excited for this video. Im currently reading Stake by Kevin J Anderson I highly recommend it! I barely see it on booktok and it’s an amazing vampire book so far!
Thank God someone mentioned "Hill House" as overrated. When I was younger, I thought it was pretty cool, but not great. As I got older, I found it irritating. Shirley Jackson is a great comedy writer with a dark edge that reflected her own identity confusion, and that's her strength. But it didn't translate well to Hill House. The dialogue was so full of banter that all the characters sounded the same. They sounded like Shirley Jackson in fact! I think the novel Burnt Offerings takes her themes and focuses them a lot better.
2 books I read that were totally hyped and not worth the time: Just Like Home Nothing But Blackened Teeth 2 unexpected favorites from last year: Tender is the Flesh Things We Lost in the Fire
Pet Sematary is the best of King's better books. You might like Our lady Of Darkness by Fritz Leiber and/or Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber. He has a lengthy clip about the intricacies that apply to the horror genre before it went "slasher" in the 70s and the 80s, and lost the plot: Pacificon II (1964) Worldcon - Fritz Leiber - "Monsters And Monster Lovers" Paperbacks from Hell looks to be a source of suggestions to be investigated.
I think 2 books that are appropriately rated but more people need to read is night of the mannequins by Stephen graham jones and a short stay in hell by Steven L peck. Short and sweet and they never leave my mind
Excellent video idea, might steal it. 😁 I actually enjoyed Hannibal but agree it is the weakest entry in the series and you make very valid points. Bravo! I was also underwhelmed by The Haunting. I have added Reviver to my goodreads tbr. Oh man, I've been looking for Zombie everywhere, so hard to find. The Terror is my book of the year and has shot into my top ten, absolutely superb! Tender is The Flesh is on my tbr for next month and I would love to get a physical copy of Paperbacks From Hell. Just a question, Why do you not do discord?
Do it! It was so fun to look through my shelves to find the books to talk about. I don't use discord because I'm so bad with technology and don't even understand it haha.
I like knowing backstories and details about characters, I can’t relate with you on that lol. Why do people read if not for details? Books aren’t movies.
The shining is good, but slow and plotting in pace. The movie shoots off like a rocket that said Mr. Kubrick and Mr. King both did their best works with this story.
Completely agree about the haunting of hill house. It gets hyped because it’s such a “classic”, but I didn’t care for it. I love Shirley Jackson’s short stories, but hill house fell flat for me
@@AndaKent it’s not the same as they book, but I actually think they fixed some of the weaknesses. It’s so atmospheric and well acted. If you think of it please come back and tell me what you thought of it! Far too few people know about it and I always love finding other fans! 💜
House of Leaves would be my choice for most overhyped. The book is certainly an achievement, but the story itself is only barely spooky and the Johnny Truant storyline is so sophomorically cringy that it comes close to ruining the entire thing. I was promised nightmares by countless people online, but reached the end with a reaction of, “that’s it?” I probably would have liked it more had my expectations not been set so high from all its lofty praise.
Just read Hannibal, and I loved it. I dont think hearing Hannibal's inner voice demystifies his character. All of Thomas Harris' books do that with the villains. It seems like a reasonable evolution to see more of one of his most popular characters. It's more terrifying to me as he is normalized, he is scary because he can blend in with society, a wolf in sheep's clothing.
I read it when it came out and loved it. The ending for me was perfect closure for the characters and I was so displeased when the movie changed it.
I personally loved how Silence built up Clarice as a brave heroine and then Hannibal showed how the misogyny of the FBI brought her down and made her susceptible to Hannibal's manipulation. It's a very sad character arc that the movie missed.
His inner voice actually mystifies him more as his whole 'memory palace' shows just how in control he is over his own thoughts, memories and emotions. It made Silence make so much more sense as it showed how he could remain so calm and entertained in prison just by opening the rooms in his palace and enjoying his memories and all the sights and scents and sounds he can recreate in his mind.
I remember reading that Harris didn't want to write this ... and I think it shows . He is far scarier behind bars because even caged he can get you
Yes! Hannibal is beautifully done, really I appreciate all of them but Hannibal is definitely my personal favorite of the series
Totally agree on The Haunting of Hill House. I read it twice because i was left feeling confused and thought i missed something, then realized it just wasn't for me and never clicked for me.
It's really a psychological story about a woman who feels trapped, desperately wants to feel special, and cannot connect with others. Everything that seems haunted can be explained rationally, and yet she wants to believe (so as to be special), with her going so far as to become the next "victim." It's like how when a prisoner commits suicide because at least then they could gain some control over their existence. If you view the book as a psychological piece and not a haunted house story, it does make a sad kind of sense. Many of Jackson's work tends to have a psychological element, often involving a woman who feels trapped or persecuted.
I think The Haunting of Hill House isn't so much over-hyped as wrongly hyped. All the different movies and tv-series have taken the idea of a haunted house and an experiment and run with it in wild directions. Jackson's story is more of a subtle psychological exploration and not really a haunted house story. Everybody who picks it up expects a scary ghost story, and then they get something else entirely. And so people get confused and disappointed and feel a bit let down. I still thought it was a good book but I had to seriously amend my expectations while I read it.
Thanks for the mention of Zombie. I had no idea Oates even wrote horror!
Interesting, I always saw both the films and for sure the recent series as a Psychological thing anyway so that sounds great to me.
I think you're mostly right, the book kind of makes the audience think about two possibilities: that the paranormal happenings aren't real and it's mainly in the main character's insanity, or that the house only haunted her because the house wanted her but was disinterested in everyone else, which is the idea that inspired Stephen King's premise of The Shining. (He also had nightmares about hotel objects attacking his son so he merged the two ideas together lmao). Thing is, a lot of the greatest classic horror stories end up actually being like this, though. Look at Frankenstein, which is more an exploration of morality and ethics than it is of horror or science fiction. The Turn of the Screw, which like The Haunting of Hill House is ambiguous. The Haunting of Hill House also explores some subtle lesbian undertones that add more meaning to the story. I guess I can see how some people reading the novel can glance over a lot of the meaning behind it and not notice, but to me I thought it was plain to see and I loved the novel immensely. To me it's a five out of five. Maybe people expect Hell House by Richard Matheson, which is also a fantastic haunted house novel but is a lot more insidious and fucked up. In a lot of cases of these books that people have different expectations of, I wonder how much of it is because the person doesn't actually really look into what the novel's about ahead of time (though that's also not a bad thing, it can be beneficial to go into a story blind, as in with no expectations, and here there's expectations just wrong ones) or if they hear other people raving about the novel they don't really listen to what those fans are saying. Not to say that you can still have a good idea of what you're going in for and still find the novel's not really for you. I understand Frankenstein completely but find it's not my cup of tea.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who did not care for The Haunting of Hill House. I am always afraid to tell people my opinion of this book because everyone always tell me what a great book it is.
Yes! Same! I was so hyped to read it. And I was left just disappointed and feeling "meh" about it.
I enjoyed the book but when I watched the Tv show I was the odd one out. Everyone raves about it and I did not enjoy it at all.
I'm not ever going to tell people they are wrong about not liking any book. I am surprised to hear that there are horror fans that didn't love The Haunting of Hill House, but at the same time, that's the spice of life. Everyone has different opinions and experiences. If we all had the same tastes, it would be boring. And a book can be great, but just not be your cup of tea. It's so frustrating when people tell you you have to like it because it is widely considered great. Like, okay, but it's not my vibe. There is no story that has ever existed that hasn't had readers that didn't like it, no matter how good it is.
When reading a book written in a different period, I put it in the perspective of the time. Morals were different in the 40's and 50's and some horror we read today would never have been published then. But, I'm an old soul and enjoy some of the older books more than some written today. Re Paperbacks from Hell...I read The Auctioneer by Joan Samson. I thought it was a fantastic thriller.
Absolutely. We cannot apply 2023 mindsets to books or films that are even 20 years old.
The book may have been written in a different time, but I'm a modern reader, so if I think a book is offensive and/or poorly written, it having been published before my time doesn't make it more enjoyable imo.
I recently finished the audiobook for Tender is the Flesh and my mind was blown!! 😳 The society's justification for cannibalism and scenes at the processing plant deeply disturbed me, but the story drew me in and I couldn't put it down for hours. I hope to read Agustina Bazterrica's other works soon!
man, there is not one video since I found you that I haven't put something in my TBR! The way you talk about books really resonates with me so you always tend to sway me
Haunting of Hill House scratches a specific itch in my sad, hopeless romantic brain. Eventually I will read more Shirley Jackson.
I appreciate and would agree on the Stephen King love. And your shirt is awesome!
Sorry for the non-book related comment, but I'd love to see a tutorial of how to do your hairstyle as it looks amazing. Not sure if I'd be able to pull it off (weird shaped face) but would love to try!!
This sounds like such a great place to read it! It probably make the book even creepier.
Omg finally someone else who felt the same about the Haunting of Hill House. It did nothing for me whatsoever, I remember finishing and basically just shrugging. Great video! I added the Terror and From Below to my wishlist, they both sound really intriguing
I made a reading challenge for myself this year of TH-cam Favorites and your square is The Terror. I'm nervous (its so big) but excited. Its the last to read for the challenge but I've been holding onto it for the colder months. Seeing it pop up again on your list gives me hope.
I just bought and started reading, A Head Full Of Ghosts by your recommendation. Totally into it, that's why I'm back to check this out
Love the under rated section. It’s always good to find out about horror books that aren’t mainstream, definitely gonna check out Reviver 😎👍🏻
Tender is the Flesh is sooo overhyped, I almost regret not getting it seeing how widely liked it is.
But thank you for bringing up The Terror!
Hi Anda. I purchased Reviver after your recommendation and finished it last week. I loved it! Thank you so much :)
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was a random purchase that really surprised me. I think it's a trilogy, although I haven't read the others yet (not sure if I mentioned that in this video).
I agree about the haunting of hill house being overrated. It didn’t really resonate for me either, although I did still buy it because I felt like it should “be in my collection” (I think this just shows that I have a problem with purchasing physical media).
Secondly, full-heartedly agree about “The terror” being underrated. Definitely one of my favorite books ever, and I think that it will be seen more and more as a modern classic, if it isn’t already. Regarding other underrated books, I would also include “Rosemary’s Baby” as I think it is a nice short read that is really fast-paced and fun, but people talk more about the movie than the book. “The loop” by Jeremy Robert Johnson read really quickly for me as well, and the characters were so engaging and likable. It is YA adjacent with a stranger things feel, but it gets way way darker. Lastly, I think “off season” by Jack Ketchum is one of his books that I don’t feel like is talked about nearly enough.
Regarding “perfectly rated,” I would also include “Salem’s Lot” in your Stephen King group. Anyways, love your videos. Keep it up!
Zombie sounds amazing, will for sure be keeping my out for that in the charity shop I work at. I mostly just sort books there and I've bought so many more than I read lol. The manger only a couple weeks ago told me now I can just take books for free so I am for sure looking for zombie.
Great video and good on you for just saying you don't like it if you don't. We are allowed to not like something no matter how renowned it is.
I really love Haunting on hill house films and the Series so for sure going to have read the book, I wonder how alike it is.
100% agree with the haunting of hill house, I was really bored reading it which is a shame because I thought the tv show was amazing.
To Anda's point concerning Hill House, the reading experience is pretty subjective, either you like the book, or you don't. So what. In the end, it's a numbers game for author; meaning they hope the book appeals to as many people as possible. Clive Barker is my favorite author; some people don't like his books and express their opinions about it on YT. Barker's writing doesn't appeal to them and that's ok. Btw, just because a book is literary canon doesn't mean we have to like it.
I love The Surgeon. Gerritsen has a lot of great books. I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but she has a sequel to The Surgeon that is pretty great as well. It's called The Apprentice.
Yes! I think I'm on book four of the series. I've enjoyed them all so far, but the first has definitely been my favorite.
I've reread The Surgeon a couple times. I've planned on rereading The Apprentice and then continue with the series in order. I've read a number of her other books, but never carried on with the Rizzoli & Isles book series.
Your t-shirt is everything, the fact that Jason need a warm hoodie cements the fact he's my ultimate man. Thank you hun xx
I think the following dont get enough attention in the horror community. i rarely see them getting recommended. And it feels like these books are very underrated gems.
1. The Fisherman by John Langan
2. Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven
3. Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout.
4. The Haunted Forest Tour by Jeff Strand/ James A Moore
Have you read any Mo Hayden? Tokyo aka the demon of Nanking, is amazing and has one of the most creepy villains, yet this villain doesn’t speak. Excellent!
You’re videos are always great! Always great book recommendations!! 🖤🤘🏽
Thank you for watching! Happy reading :)
Hannibal is so weird because I did like the novel but I recognized it was a huge step down from the first two. It introduces all this off-the-wall hypnotism shit even though what made the first two novels so great was how grounded in realism they were. That's the aspect that ends up taking over in the end of the book that makes Hannibal weak. Then you have the movie adaptation, which does a great job of taking away the hypnotism in favor for a better, more logical ending and Clarice feeling more like she should, but they fuck it up by making a large break in the case being made by "scent experts" that can sniff letters like a dog sent from someone, pinpoint the exact perfume or cologne they wear in an instant, and somehow use that knowledge to find where the person is based on where that perfume/cologne is made or sold. Like what the hell, is it that hard to make an all around decent end to the Hannibal Lector trilogy that both versions have to be almost good but not quite?
We don't talk about Hannibal Rising, though. In Hannibal, it mentions something from Lector's past that the audience is able to piece together that that is what messed him up. We didn't need an entire novel to explain it, and we certainly didn't need to read about Lector wanting to fuck his Japanese step-mother since he was like five years old. Not to mention, in Hannibal Rising, it makes Lector seem like a vigilante, killing only bad people, yet we know from the Hannibal Trilogy that that is not how he operates at all. So Hannibal Rising not only makes his origin less appealing and makes him less mysterious and more a textbook psychopath, it also can't keep its own lore straight.
That's my rant about the Hannibal series. I still thought Hannibal was entertaining, both the book and the movie. Just with a lot of flaws that prevent me from promoting it to "love it" status.
Loved the under rated book recommendations! Added a few to my TBR.
For me personally, "A head full of Ghosts" by Paul Tremblay and "Horrorstör" by Grady Hendrix were over rated.
Books that deserved more hype though, "A dark Dividing" by Sarah Rayne, "World War Z" by Max Brooks and "The Amityville Horror" by Jay Anson.
Paul Tremblay sucks!
I've see a few people talking about his books, but I've read two books by Dennis Cooper this year and have absolutely loved every second of them. Super underrated for sure, and really great extreme horror books. I read both Try and The Sluts and they blew me away.
The first -and thus far only - Ania Ahlborn book that I've read was "Seed" and like you I found it slightly underwhelming. I plan to read more of her and would appreciate any recommendations as to what to choose next. Although over-hyped might not be ascribed to classic tales "The Turn Of The Screw" by Henry James and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture Of Dorian Gray", I read them pretty much back to back and - much revered as they may be - I found myself struggling to reach the last pages in both cases.
Personally I didn’t like From Below, I thought it could have been 100 pages shorter and I didn’t end up finishing it as it dragged for me. But I really liked her other books like Dead of Winter which you also recommended! 😄
I am trying to read Down Below right now. It does feel so but that might be the jumping back and forth.
@@stephennootens916 for me it was the last 100 pages, but good luck with it! :)
You're one of the first people that I see disliking The Haunting of Hill House, I felt almost bad for not understanding what all the fuss was about. It was very hard to read it until the end, and I considered reading it again to try and understand what I missed but now you have reassured me and hopefully there's more of us out there lmao!
I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time when you told that person to suck it!! Some people have all the nerve .... oh, I didn't like The Haunting of Hill House either .... guess it puts me in good company!! Take care!!
Joyce Carol Oates Where Are You Going Where Have You Been? is the scariest short story I have ever read. It’s not gory or spooky or violent (besides what is implied) it’s creepy in a realistic way. Just the way the main character slowly starts to realize more and more that is OFF. Ugh, it still gets me.
Such a great short story! I think that was actually based on a true story, too.
I loved The Terror. I read it during the winter, so very atmospheric read for me. I liked Tender Is The Flesh. Very disturbing read but that's what we are looking for 😮. And Pet Sematary....always a classic and one of my all-time favorites.
I just subscribed to your channel. I enjoyed your detailed descriptions, and your choices of horror books!
It’s cool you brought up The Terror. I just finished it a week or two ago. While I enjoyed it. I felt it was really over worded. Maybe a couple hundred pages too long. But the story was fantastic. Also I read The Surgeon last year and would agree, I enjoyed it.
Agreed about HANNIBAL. Hannibal Lecter is one of those characters that best remains an enigma. The more we learn about him, the less interesting he becomes.
I read THE SURGEON years ago and remember liking it a lot. Good call!
Here is an under-rated horror book: FEVRE DREAM, by George R.R. Martin. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it is one of the Top 3 best vampire novels ever written. It's fantastic. But I don't recall the last time I saw anyone recommending it.
Oh interesting. I've never heard of Fevre Dream. I'll have to check my used bookstore and see if I can find it. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have been checking my used bookstore constantly looking for Zombie by Oates. I have definitely made a TBR list from all your recommendations! I have managed to find a few of Darcy Coates but not all the ones I wanted but im going to keep looking. I am also going to add some of these books to my list now!!!! Thank you 😊
I hope you can find it one day! It really surprised me. Happy reading!
The first time I read The Haunting of Hill House, I was in my teens. I didn't like it at all. Then, I read it again in my 50s. It resonated so deeply that I immediately read it again. Perhaps I just identified more with the characters as an adult than when I was a child. The house preyed on the main character's insecurities, knowing that the "well-adjusted" people around her would never understand her pain or accept her, but the house would, for a price. The horror of the book was that the house offered the main character a sense of belonging even as the living turned her away because they just didn't have the will or inclination to give a $@#!.
I think some underrated gems would be Queen of Teeth by Hailey Piper, Yellow Jessamine by C. Starling everything by Cassandra Khaw, Quiet Houses by Simon K Unsworth and Things We Lost In the Fire by Mariana Enriquez
I love The Shining😅
I have to reread it and rewatch it every year. I also live in CO, and visiting Estes Park is a favorite place of mine. The town is so beautiful and the Stanley is breathtaking. Its always gets me into spooky season.
And yes, the book and movie are two completely different things. The book will always be superior. But the movie is still a masterpiece. However, the made for tv version is fantastic and follows the book a lot closer and is filmed at location at The Stanley Hotel.
Oh man! I visited The Stanley years ago and it was so beautiful! The town was so cute and everyone was so nice out there. I really want to visit again.
read reviver when u first recommended it a while ago and i loved it so much im constantly looking for books like it/with those vibes.
thanks for recommendations, I am actually interested in all these books, even overhyped :)
I would switch Hill House and Tender is the Flesh. Tender is one of the most overrated books I've ever encountered; and Hill House deserves the love it gets, especially considering its influence on the future voices of horror.
I’m a professional bookseller (we go to trade school for three years to become one in Germany) and I absolutely hate The Haunting of hill House. I wouldn’t hate it on its own, since I just found it extremely boring. But the way people overhype this book in the most stick up way makes me despise it
Re. the doodles in Joyce Carol Oates "Zombie": the ultimate novel containing doodles and drawings by the author has to be "Breakfast Of Champions" by your favourite Kurt Vonnegut!
So true haha
Just be yourself. Like what you like. Don't like what you don't. No apology needed, EVER!
Loved all the Tess Gerritson thrillers. Haven't read The Surgeon yet, but it's on the list.
I read Missouri may be a year and a half ago and I loved it and the movie adaptation is awesome. Kathy Bates is awesome in it as well as James Caan as the titular author Paul Shelton.
This is an interesting concept. I have been thinking lately about how booktube basically controls how people think about books.
Have you read any books by David Sodergren? The haar, Maggie's grave are both really good horror books. I currently am reading the forgotten island. Personally really enjoy his writing style and its just an easy enjoyable read for me. For example, I have tried reading the deep by nick cutter by recommendation, but I find it much harder to continue to read. David sodergren has a flowy style to it that (as a newbie to reading) I can read for long sessions
New subscriber here! Great video! Love your choices. Do you have a video or more that go over the books on your bookcases??
Your channel is great and is very much appreciated by those that appreciate it, and those who don’t appreciate it can respectfully go elsewhere, is my humble opinion. I find it so rude when people comment on something being bad form or not a good look like that person did, just go watch something else already and let everyone else enjoy the content without them bad vibes mucking up the flow in here. Ugh ❤ And thanks for so many good recommendations as always 😊
I read the Shirley Jackson novel you said was overrated. I couldn't agree with you more. I was like, "THAT was HORROR?! That wasn't even SCARY!"
As for JCO's Zombie... for as much as I agreed with you on Haunting of Hill House, I *DISAGREE* with you *MORE* about Zombie, which I *ALSO* read. I HATED IT. One of the three worst novels I've ever finished. Sad, really, as she has at least three others that really caught my eye. But Zombie put me so far off reading anything else by her that I just can't.
Keep up the good work though. 😊
From Below.. an all time fave for me!! Needs to be a 3D movie!
The Haunting of Hill House is an amazing suspenseful gothic classic haunting novel.
Also didn't like Haunting of Hill House 😬
Ugh I hated the terror the supernatural entity/polar bear was so stupid! I wanted more eerieness less scurvy😂
Very much in agreement with you about Haunting Of Hill House. I was so disappointed. All in all, nothing really happens! It was quite confusing as you said and did not live up to it's hype. Just my opinion 😁
i think the one are Stephen King might be actually underrated is his short story collections. His novels often feel dense and over written for me but when he does short form they are angular and lyrical little stories and they're stellar
Don't apologize for not liking a book. I personally liked Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, but I also enjoy hearing from others who did not like the book. Thank you for being honest in your reviews. Reader and Book have to bond for the journey to be a success.
I strongly recommend Joyce Carole Oates' story "Feral." Very powerful.
I didn't like Brother by Ahlborn - I ended it giving it a 3 because the ending was genuinely good and surprising, but it wasn't a book for me, and I'd say it's extremely overhyped. I just finished Haunting of Hill House, and while I loved it and connected to the main character in particular, it wouldn't surprise me if someone else didn't like it. Many don't lol and that's completely fine.
I loved From below too! It was my first Darcy Coates. Not a huge fan, her books are a bit too YA for me but yeah i loved From below, it was creepy!
Currently reading Reviver and enjoying it so far. It feels different and I am looking forward to finishing it.
I was shocked by how different it felt from everything I've ever read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
JC Oates is one of my favorite all time writers!!!! I would read her grocery list and love it!
REVIVER could have taken its idea from UBIK(1969), where people after death are cooled down and the living can communicate with their brains while they are slowly fading out. It's not horror, it's psychedelic SF.
I read From Below a few months ago after watching your review. Loved it!
The Haunting of Hill House is not the first "haunted house" novel, not by a long stretch. Haunted house stories go back to the 17th~18th century, and you can find plenty of short stories, tales, novels and nouvellas with that subject. In fact, 1959 is very late for genre which spiked with gothic revival and romantic periods.
I liked Richard Matheson's "Hell House" way more than Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House". I enjoyed "Haunting", but I don't get the fanatical love for it that others have for it.
I actually really liked Seed. I think the mother acted exactly as most would if their children were in a dire situation. She's very flustered and frustrated because she has an overbearing mother and a husband who's keeping secrets and a child she's afraid of. I do think the book was longer than it needed to be and the ending was holy crap crazy. I really love the ending that made the whole book great for me.
From Below: it's at the library near me so I'll check it out.
Tender: like Hawk Mountain by Connor Habib, , very disturbing tale. I loved it.
Great content.
This video made me sad because all nofollow our used book stores closed. When you mentioned yours, I just pouted.
Oooo, that's rough. I hope you can find another one close by!
@AndaKent There are a couple about an hour and a half away but there were some awesome ones for years that shut down and nothing has come along even close. One day hopefully.
Just wanted to drop "Mexican Gothic" in this list as overhyped. It was so "Whelming" when I read it.
I agree with you on The Haunting of Hill House.... I was disappointed.. didn't live up to the hype. Though I do love her writing style, the book was boring. We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a 5⭐ all time fave for me though.
Definitely agree. That's my favorite Shirley Jackson. Such a great book.
I had to read Castle for a class in high school whereas I read HHH on my own, and I always held the reverse of your sentiment. Maybe I need to revisit Castle and read it of my own accord.
@@DrawtheCurtains it's all good, we all like different things ☺ though timing can play a big role. why always fun to re-read and see if we've changed our mind. also if you're "forced" to read something then that can make it not as fun lol (like with school)
I know I've already suggested it but based on what you seem to like you reeeaaally have to read House of Leaves. Definitely a love it or hate it kind of story but it's very unique, goes deeper thematically than probably any other horror book I've ever read, and will give you nightmares if not full blown paranoia...and who doesn't want that? 😅
It's so interesting to hear that you don't like Shirley Jackson's the Haunting of Hill House (which is totally your valid take and gatekeepers can take a hike your taste is your taste) seeing as she is one of my all-time favorite writers. Not throwing shade I think it is cool that you didn't just follow the majority of horror fans just for the sake of it. Enjoyment of any media is subjective. To me it is just this delicious stream fever dream of a story with gorgeous poetic language and the horror lurking behind the aggressively mundane veneer of things. It's more eerie and off-putting than SCARY in my opinion.
Read Leech by Hiron Ennes, it's the author's first and it's amazing. Not perfect, but the story's insanely imaginative and the narrative point of view is first-person-hivemind.
The back of the cover calls it "The Alienist meets The Thing" and that's entirely accurate.
I will agree completely with Hannibal. Starling was a straight arrow in the movies and it was one of the few books where the movie was better.
Oh my God, I LOVE Hannibal. Such gorgeous writing and operatic. Starling falls under his spell and it's a kind of Gothic romance. But I get that it's not for everyone. They changed it in the equally operatic and beautiful film.
I think growing up with the film and reading the book later on definitely impacted how I read it.
@@AndaKent What did you think of the film? Did you know Harris wrote Hannibal Rising basically with a gun to his head? Producer Dino de Lorentiis told him he would find someone else if he didn't do it. That said, I LOVE Hannibal Rising, more for the prose than the whole origin idea. I didn't need that either but I think Harris made it work. It's like a dark adult fairy tale. The TV series is simply genius. On another level. When I bought the behind the scenes book, the employee at Barnes and Noble gave me a look I still remember years later. Lol.
I also loved Zombie! The terror was great but I wasn't a huge fan of the nonlinear storyline.
have you read madhouse at the end of the earth by julian sancton? it seems to be similar to terror based on your description so if you havent already read it you might like it!!
The Terror is such a great book. I read that one this year. Those are my favorite King Horror books. Tender of the Flesh is amazing.
Super excited for this video. Im currently reading Stake by Kevin J Anderson I highly recommend it! I barely see it on booktok and it’s an amazing vampire book so far!
I'm always looking for a good vampire read. Thanks for the suggestion!
Thank God someone mentioned "Hill House" as overrated. When I was younger, I thought it was pretty cool, but not great. As I got older, I found it irritating. Shirley Jackson is a great comedy writer with a dark edge that reflected her own identity confusion, and that's her strength. But it didn't translate well to Hill House. The dialogue was so full of banter that all the characters sounded the same. They sounded like Shirley Jackson in fact! I think the novel Burnt Offerings takes her themes and focuses them a lot better.
2 books I read that were totally hyped and not worth the time:
Just Like Home
Nothing But Blackened Teeth
2 unexpected favorites from last year:
Tender is the Flesh
Things We Lost in the Fire
Reviver sounds like a darker version of Pushing Daisies
The haunting of Hill House was better as the Mike Flanigin adaptation. Otherwise, Shirley Jackson’s book is dull as dishwater.
Pet Sematary is the best of King's better books. You might like Our lady Of Darkness by Fritz Leiber and/or Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber. He has a lengthy clip about the intricacies that apply to the horror genre before it went "slasher" in the 70s and the 80s, and lost the plot: Pacificon II (1964) Worldcon - Fritz Leiber - "Monsters And Monster Lovers" Paperbacks from Hell looks to be a source of suggestions to be investigated.
I think 2 books that are appropriately rated but more people need to read is night of the mannequins by Stephen graham jones and a short stay in hell by Steven L peck. Short and sweet and they never leave my mind
Excellent video idea, might steal it. 😁 I actually enjoyed Hannibal but agree it is the weakest entry in the series and you make very valid points. Bravo! I was also underwhelmed by The Haunting. I have added Reviver to my goodreads tbr. Oh man, I've been looking for Zombie everywhere, so hard to find. The Terror is my book of the year and has shot into my top ten, absolutely superb! Tender is The Flesh is on my tbr for next month and I would love to get a physical copy of Paperbacks From Hell. Just a question, Why do you not do discord?
Do it! It was so fun to look through my shelves to find the books to talk about. I don't use discord because I'm so bad with technology and don't even understand it haha.
I can definitely relate lol.@@AndaKent
I like knowing backstories and details about characters, I can’t relate with you on that lol. Why do people read if not for details? Books aren’t movies.
The shining is good, but slow and plotting in pace. The movie shoots off like a rocket that said Mr. Kubrick and Mr. King both did their best works with this story.
Compared to Red Dragon and Silence Of The Lambs, Hannibal was too Mills & Boon :-)
Completely agree about the haunting of hill house. It gets hyped because it’s such a “classic”, but I didn’t care for it. I love Shirley Jackson’s short stories, but hill house fell flat for me
So Revivers took the show Pushing Daisies and made it spookier?
You know what, I’m right there with you for “The Haunting of Hill House” 🤷🏾♂️
Is that Shelly?! That's such a cool shirt
Yes! Shelly and Part 3 are my favorite.
Totally agree about The Terror, but the tv series they made based on it is even better. It was a limited series on AMC and it is BRILLIANT!
I'm so glad you said this because it just showed up on Shudder. I'll have to give it a watch.
@@AndaKent it’s not the same as they book, but I actually think they fixed some of the weaknesses. It’s so atmospheric and well acted. If you think of it please come back and tell me what you thought of it! Far too few people know about it and I always love finding other fans! 💜
House of Leaves would be my choice for most overhyped. The book is certainly an achievement, but the story itself is only barely spooky and the Johnny Truant storyline is so sophomorically cringy that it comes close to ruining the entire thing. I was promised nightmares by countless people online, but reached the end with a reaction of, “that’s it?” I probably would have liked it more had my expectations not been set so high from all its lofty praise.