Review + Showtime #3 - The Haunting of Hill House

Title: The Haunting of Hill House

Author: Shirley Jackson

Synopsis: 

Four seekers have arrived at the rambling old pile known as Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of psychic phenomena; Theodora, his lovely and lighthearted assistant; Luke, the adventurous future inheritor of the estate; and Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman with a dark past. As they begin to cope with chilling, even horrifying occurrences beyond their control or understanding, they cannot possibly know what lies ahead. For Hill House is gathering its powers - and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.

My Thoughts: 

I half wish I could have read this book not having read or watched anything featuring a house full of ghosts before. The Haunting of Hill House is the ultimate haunting house story, it chills to the bone with simple classic elements of horror that you think you're already tired of – until you read this novel.

"Certainly there are spots which inevitably attach to themselves an atmosphere of holiness and goodness; it might not then be too fanciful to say that some houses are born bad."

Dr Montague has a mission: he wants not only to experience the supernatural, but to record it; prove its existence scientifically. He seeks for the perfect spot to conduct his experiments and one day he hears of Hill House... Eleanor and Theodora receive a letter from him; a letter from a stranger, inviting them to a house without a soul. Of course they are all unaware how the little vacation will transform them. Luke, the future owner of the house joins them too, and together they soon stand to face the morbid secrets of Hill House.

To be honest it's not the ghostly activities that are scary here, more like the atmosphere itself. Yes, there are doors closing without anyone holding the handle, there are bangings on the doors/walls, a phantom hand holding the hand of a character in the dark etc... but these all become really scary because Shirley Jackson had such a talent to set a tone for a horror book. This novel put me in a mood, it turned me uneasy, after reading a big chunk of it I turned positively grumpy for the day. This book had power over me and that is what made it really frightening.

I would have enjoyed to read more about the backstory of the house. Dr. Montague summarized it, but there wasn't much elaboration and I think it would have been worth it to linger there more. I guess Ms Jackson wanted to keep the house in a mysterious light by focusing more on the haunted rather than on the ones who did the haunting. 

The real protagonist of the piece is Eleanor, who has just lost her mother after taking care of her throughout a long illness. The dynamics of Eleanor's relationship with Theo is one that is worth paying attention to. Eleanor had basically been shut in with her mother, looking after her every need, she'd been a slave to her task and never had the chance to be free, to enjoy life, to get away. She's looking forward to experience freedom in Hill House for the first time. Theo soon transforms into a mother figure to her that she starts to despise and since the house latches onto all kinds of weakness she slowly becomes a target...

The Haunting of Hill House is a must read for horror fans, don't shy away, you know you want to read it!

Goodreads | Amazon

The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix

I confess I picked up the book for the sake of the tv show, since I was very curious about it when it came out in October. As almost always, the book was better. Why?

I immensely enjoyed the tv show up until the very last episode, when unfortunately everything that had been carefully built up by the writers crumbled into tiny sad pieces.

In the show creative liberty was taken on a large scale, since the creators only grabbed the haunted house from the original story and planted a family in it. Five kids and their parents spend a summer in Hill House and they come to regret it for the rest of their lives.

I liked that they operated with two timelines; we see scenes of the kids in the house and scenes where they are grown up, where they try to juggle their lives with all the residue of Hill House in it.

Unlike in the book, here we can see actual ghosts (I think that happened in the novel maybe once), screaming, ugly, angry, sad ghosts, of which if one appeared in my bedroom at night, I'd probably die of fright. There are quite a few jump scares on the way, which is a bit boring, but they don't overdo it at least.

It was great to watch the show right after reading the book, because they used the original text often and creatively. I understood all the references and could take away more than someone who watches the show without knowing the book I think.

Out of all the episodes I'd highlight episode 6, Two Storms. It was beautifully done, there were only 5 scenes in the 57 minute episode, the longest went on for 16 minutes without a single cut! Once they changed set without cutting. It was truly amazing.

And now that you see that altogehter I liked the show, let me tell you why I was ultimately disappointed. I'm afraid this will be mildly spoilery. I won't tell you any detials of what happened, only that the tone changed, but if you plan on watching the show you might not want to read on.

Guys, the most important message of the book was that the house was EVIL. What we've been fed for 9 episodes in the show was that the house was EVIL. How it should be. Because it is Hill House. However, in the last episode in the show they chose to shed light on an advantage in the house. They suggest it can be used for good purposes. They suggest there is GOOD in it!

*facepalm*

I completely lost it there, I really did. Then came all the cheesy bullshit that love solves everything and if we care for each other nothing bad can touch us. It's a shame they let this carefully constructed piece go out with such a flat and overused message in the end. I was truly said that the ending wasn't better.

Having said this, I still think this show is worth a watch (except for anyone who feels suicidal. I'm serious, please don't watch it if you're suicidal). If you're after a good horror show and you're willing to put up with a mild ending, go for it.

Showtime #2 - Black Sails

In Showtime I feature TV shows that I'm currently watching, in the hope that I will find fellow fans among you or that I can turn you into a fan, so I'll have someone to talk to about my favourite shows, haha.

This is my second Showtime post, read the first about NBC's Timeless here.

Today the show I'd like to bring your attention to is:

 

Creators: Robert Levine, Jonathan E. Steinberg

Stars: Jessica Parker Kennedy, Toby Stephens, Hannah New ...

 IMDb

Yes, I'm heavily into pirates now, I won't deny it. I'm having a phase it seems.

Black Sails is on Netflix at the moment and I've been planning to watch it for some time. After my little brother lured me into watching The Pirates of the Caribbean with him for the umpteenth time the other week (just when I happened to be reading Pirate's Curse) I realised there was no reason to break the pattern, so I went with the flow and clicked on the first episode of Black Sails on Netflix. I couldn't stop after that.

The show is basically a Treasure Island prequel. I confess I didn't read the book as a child or as a teenager but of course there is no need to know it in order to understand the happenings in Black Sails (its story preceeds Treasure Island's plot after all).

I finished the first season the other day and proceeded with the second immediately. There are four seasons altogether, there won't be more unfortunately.

In season one Captain Flint and his crew are trying to track a Spanish treasure galleon that – once defeated – could make all of them very rich. When they finally get hold of the shipping schedule that could lead them to the galleon and the money, it turns out a page is missing. They have to find the thief in order to be able to continue with their quest.

John Silver, young mischief-maker, who took the page off the original thief knows he's in trouble but if he has some skill at all, it is his aptitude for survival. He commits every detail on the page to memory and burns the piece of paper, thus he becomes indispensable for the pirates. The question is: can he convince Captain Flint it's worth to keep him alive after they've found the ship they're looking for?

Flint has problems of his own. He is not very popular among his crew at the moment, not to mention he has to solve a lot of problems related to the preparations for the treasure hunt. Nassau, the port that many pirates frequent to do business is a place presently overheated with politics and rivalry. Luckily, Eleanor Guthrie – the woman in charge of all business transactions on the island – is on his side.

Pirates are a savage lot, especially if they're after a great prize. After having seen season one, I say it's no wonder people often compare this show to Game of Thrones.

Why do I enjoy the show?

It's not solely set at sea

I often get bored with nautical stories in which the characters never see land. There are a limited number of tropes that can be used related to the ship and the sea (like illness, woman on board, sea battle, mutiny etc.). I've seen all of them, that's why I prefer if there is some action on land as well. I like the balance regarding this matter in Balck Sails. 

The costumes are gorgeous

The beauty is in the details; the accessories breathe life into the costumes. After all, what is a badass pirate without an earring? I'm madly in love with the coats too, and the men's V-necked long shirts, aww.

Captain Flint

 

He is grumpy all the time and he is the worse captain I've ever come across, I swear. No, really, he sucks at captaincy, big time :) Despite this fact he has to cling to his position to reach his goal and his journey is an interesting one. 

(By the way, did you know that Toby Stephens is the son of Dame Maggie Smith?? I've found this out only a short time ago and it was a great surprise. How did I not know this before?)

Cool women characters

Eleanor, Max and Anne Bonny are strong, fierce and beautiful women that fight for a meaningful place in a world of men. Respect.

These two

 

I usually roll with laughter whenever Jack is on screen. And then there's Anne. She is so raw and unapologetic, she doesn't give a damn. She always does what she wants. Way to go, girl!

The opening title sequence

The music, the aesthetics... I can't get enough of it!

Have you watched Black Sails? Or are you planning to? Don't be shy, drop me a few lines if you have any thoughts about this show :)

Showtime – NBC Timeless

It's time to dive into the sea of TV shows. 

 From time to time I'll write about shows I like in the hope you'll fall in love with them as well, so I'll have people I can discuss them with... Basically you're invited to co-fangirl with me, if you're up to such a thing :)

If you already know the show, please, don't be shy, comment away, and if you don't, give it a try (if you like the premise) and come back to tell me what you think of it.

I'll always give book recommendations as well, after introducing the TV show, featuring books I think those who liked the show should pick up.

Ready? Steady? Showtime!!!

Today the spotlight is on:

I know that there are countless TV shows out there about time travelling but for some reason I really warmed up to this one. Timeless is an NBC show, the first season is already out and at the moment all the fans are waiting for NBC's decision about renewal.

I haven't finished season one yet, I'm on episode 12, but I'm already in love with it.

Trailer for the first episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSYZJGAGvww

IMDB's description about the show:

'An unlikely trio travel through time in order to battle unknown criminals and protect history as we know it.'

How I would introduce it:

Someone invented a time machine at last, hoo-haaa. Too bad that a mysterious criminal nicks it right away, duh. But they still have an earlier, less shiny prototipe that works just as well (luckily!). All is not lost. And of course the government quickly involves some competent people who are ready to follow the stolen vessel and the bad guy. Thus the chase begins through time to save history and the world as it is.


Meet the 'unlikely trio'!

Lucy Preston played by Abigail Spencer

Lucy is an adorable history professor who gets chosen for the mission because of her expertise. She knows A LOT about American history and her knowledge guides the team in every historical era.

I like her wit, that she always comes up with an idea when it is needed. Time travelling is challenging for her, because she tries to hold on to history as she knows it, but very soon she realises that reading about things is not the same as living them and Flynn's meddling cannot always be stopped either, so she has to try to adapt to the new circumstances eventually.

Favourite Lucy episode: The World's Columbian Exposition


Rufus Caril played by Malcolm Barrett 

Rufus pilots the 'Lifeboat' (their time machine) and his practical skills pull the others out of many tight situations. He has it the worst on most of the adventures, since the colour of his skin makes him a targeted person in most eras.

His character developement is very sweet; Rufus is extremely shy in the beginning and thinks little of himself, but the missions bring the best out in him and he becomes more and more confident as they go.

Favourite Rufus episode: Stranded


Wyatt Logan played by Matt Lanter

The soldier guy, the handsome one. He is pretty cheeky and soon you'll ship him with Lucy (believe me...).

He has lost someone who was very close to him and he's trying to come to terms with his loss.

Hotheadedness, thy name is Wyatt.

Favourite Wyatt episode: The Alamo

And let's not forget the dangerous time bandit the're set against:

Garcia Flynn played by Goran Višnjić

The one with the 'Desperate times call for desperate measures' philosophy. I won't lie, I have a soft spot for Flynn. Yes, he is a murderer, he disrupts history, tries to change things, but when you learn why he does what he does and whose activites he tries to sabotage, suddenly everything becomes a lot more complicated. He fights for a noble cause for personal (selfish?) reasons and he doesn't let anyone get in his way.

And uhmm, he is also obsessed with Lucy.

Favourite Flynn episode: The Capture of Benedict Arnold

Why do I love the show?

• I learn a lot about American history while I watch it. I studied US history at uni, but this show goes into details that interest me and I always enjoy learning new things. They travel to a different time period in every episode and they always run into some famous people they gush over (like I would :)


• It is funny. The character interactions make me smile very often (e.g.: Wyatt keeps calling Lucy ma'am, even though he knows she hates it) and there are hilarious misunderstandings sometimes when they – especially Rufus and Wyatt – talk to people from the past.

Example: 

 

Arnold: Let's stop here. The horses need water, and I could use a thunder mug.

Rufus: That sounds good! What do you drink from a thunder mug?

Arnold: You urinate in it. 

• A show cannot win me over if it doesn't have lovable characters, not even if the story is good. I adore the team and hell, even the baddie earned my support. Go figure!

That's it about the introduction. For history buffs it's a must, and for everyone who enjoys entertaining telly. Have you already watched the show? Please let me know, so we can talk about it. If not, are you interested in it?

Click on 'Read more' to see my time travelling book recommendations!