Matheson's Hell House Read-Along - Final Discussion

Beware...spoilers ahead!

Now I remember why I thought this book was so scary on my first reading. The final third of the book is the scariest part in my opinion. Things come to a head with Florence, as she now seems to be possessed by Daniel, but is it really Daniel... The glimpses of horrific apparitions doing horrific things (the man cutting the woman's head off for instance) really added to the scare factor. 

I want to segue a bit to the sexual elements of this story. They are very degrading to women. The house's effects on Edith pray on her guilt of perhaps she might be a lesbian. Which is a product of the time the book was written, I'm sure. Let's face it though. If the things that went on in that house were considered depraved (for the time period of the glory days of Hell House) then I would think it would be highly possible that there were some male on male situations as well. I feel if this book was written in the present day, there would be a more even portrayal of sexuality (depending on the writer I suppose as well), and probably even more depravity. Would the latter be a good thing? I'm not so sure I'd want to read that book.

I watched the film (The Legend of Hell House) last night and it really doesn't change much from the book, except as I mentioned previously, the women do not look like their descriptions in the book. Also, Barrett does not have a disability, and Edith's name is Ann in the film. The deaths of Florence and Barrett are different as well. And, of course, the sexual elements are toned way down. Not surprising considering it's a 1973 film and anything too strongly sexual back then probably would have received an X rating. I first saw the film when I was very young and I always thought it was scary. 

I still consider the ending one of the best of the horror novels I have read. The very ending of the film is the same (which was also one of the things I loved about the film). I did like in the book how the spirit of Belasco actually shows itself to Edith and Fischer before the final reveal. It made for a more menacing, satisfying scene (which does not happen in the film). 

I enjoyed my reread of Hell House, but I have to admit I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the first time I read it....which was about 15 years ago. I guess that shows how reading tastes can change over the years. I read so much horror now too so that could also explain my feelings changing.

What did you think of this section, and the book as a whole? Let me know if I failed to touch on anything, and add your personal thoughts in the comments (or if you posted on a blog or elsewhere, share the link and I'll stop by). 

Thanks for joining another Something Wicked Fall read-along. I can't believe tomorrow is the last day. I guess we will just have to look forward to next year. 

Wishing you a very Happy Halloween!

Matheson's Hell House Read-Along - Discussion Two

Sorry I'm a couple days late. Let's dive into what happened in our second reading section.

This part tricked me (even though I've read it before) into almost believing that Florence was making up Daniel Belasco. Then Barrett is attacked in the steam room. How could he still not believe there is more than just "energy" in that house? Stubborn man. Poor Edith being sexualized by the house. Fischer finally opened up to the forces of the house. But his fear made him close off again, and in his anger and fear, he accuses Florence of manifesting Daniel herself, but I don't think he truly believes it. The entry of Daniel's birth in the Bible in the chapel...does this prove his existence, or is it yet another trick? 

Manipulation is the key. It was the vehicle when Belasco (the father) was alive, and it's the vehicle driving everything that is happening in the house in the present. So, when Florence finally gives in to Daniel, is it really Daniel, or did Belasco (the elder) create him in order to vanquish Florence...or is it Belasco himself? What happens to Florence is horrific! 

For the life of me, I cannot remember if we finally get answers by the end of the book. I remember one detail, but it may be from the film, not the book, but I will wait to see if it plays out the way I remember. 

What did you think of this section? Let me know if I failed to touch on anything, and add your personal thoughts in the comments.

Our final discussion will be on October 30th. If you need to refresh your memory on our reading schedule, check out this post.

I'm still hoping to post more by the end of the month. Time has been getting away from me, and work for my job has increased of late, so I feel like I'm juggling at times. In case you missed it, check out my Banned Books Week post about Stephen King.

This post is part of Something Wicked Fall.

Matheson's Hell House Read-Along - Discussion One

My favorite horror novel, or at least a top five favorite, just as I remember it. A total feeling of unease as I'm reading. I don't know how he did it, but Matheson makes me feel like I'm there, experiencing what the characters are experiencing. 

I had to laugh over the paragraph below. I don't remember noticing it back when I read it the first time. This is Edith ruminating on page 21 (in my edition):

Still, she had to go. She'd face anything rather than be alone. She'd never told Lionel how close she'd come to a mental breakdown during those three weeks he'd been gone in 1962. It would only have distressed him, and he'd needed all his concentration for the work he was doing. So she'd lied and sounded cheerful on the telephone the three times he'd called--and, alone, she'd wept and shaken, taken tranquilizers, hadn't slept or eaten, lost thirteen pounds, fought off compulsions to end it all. Met him at the airport finally, pale and smiling, told him that she'd had the flu.

Not to sound judgmental but give me a break. I realize this was published in 1971 and at the time, many men were not convinced about women's equality (something we are clearly steering back toward in the current social climate of our country. Egads!). Still though. Something I've learned in my almost 57 years on this earth...the best gift you can give yourself is learning how to be alone. Because if you don't have yourself, you have nothing. 

Okay, climbing down off my soapbox now.

I had forgotten the utter depravity of the Belasco/Hell House backstory. Wow. If you've never watched the film based on this book, The Legend of Hell House, you should watch it. I first saw it in the late 70s or early 80s and I've watched it many times since. I think it's an excellent film. However, I don't remember them going into such detail on what went on in the house. I plan to watch it again either during or after reading the book. I definitely picture the actors as I'm reading, even though Edith and Florence look quite different in the film from their descriptions in the book. 

As I was reading, I was sitting there thinking that I would not be in that house with only candlelight...and then going off to bed BY MYSELF in that pitch blackness...NO WAY. When Florence experiences the ghost/spirit who keeps having the bedclothes land over (his) body...nope, not happening. And then he utters BOO. That really threw me off. She didn't even scream. I would have at least screamed, or maybe fainted, or ran out the door screaming. 

What do you think about the poltergeist occurrence when all the dishes are flying seemingly on purpose at Barrett? Do you think it was done subconsciously by Florence because of her anger? I'm coming down on her side. I think the entity in that house is trying to divide them.

So, I'm thoroughly enjoying this reread. Just as unsettling as I remember. It's refreshing to read a horror story that is just scary in more subtle, less obvious ways. I love horror, but sometimes the blood and gore can be too much. Stories like this remind me of Edgar Allan Poe and similar authors. A more Gothic tone. 

What did you think of this first section? Let me know if I failed to touch on anything, and add your personal thoughts in the comments.

Our next discussion will be on October 12th. If you need to refresh your memory on our reading schedule, check out this post.

I've been slacking a bit with posts, but stay tuned. I'll be sharing my scary fall reading plans, and I'll do a short write up on the horror film, Weapons. 

This post is part of Something Wicked Fall.