Hell House By Matheson (just finished it)

[Slipstream]

I just finished this and I must say I enjoyed it very much. In the beginning I didn't get drawn in so it took a bit to keep my interest but it was like a little haunted house movie in my head LOL Some parts were tense, others gruesome and a little bit of chills here and there made for a nice fast enjoyable read.

If anyone wants a quick read with some good thrills, pick it up and give it a read.

Hell House by Richard Matheson

[Fran]

Sounds good ... another one to add to the list - Thanks

[MrWright]

I think I've seen the film that book's based on. It was made in the 70s and is called The Legend of Hell House (I think). Although the book's more violent apparently. I should read it some time.

[Slipstream]

Yes you are correct. It was made in 73' and I picked it up on ebay so can't wait to watch it after reading the book. I also heard the book is much more detailed but that's no surprise. I also heard that although the movie is low budget, does a decent job of creating a haunted house film.

[MrWright]

I saw it years ago on TV. It had (quite a young) Roddy MacDowall in it. Bits of it were quite scary although I preferred The Haunting - the BW original from the sixties, not the remake with Catherine Zeta Jones.

[StephenKingman]

Wow i never even heard of this book and im a major haunted house fan, can you give me a brief synopsis please?

[Slipstream]

Oh man if you love haunted house stuff, this is the book for you:

The story concerns four people - Dr. Lionel Barrett, a physicist with an interest in parapsychology, his wife Edith, and two mediums (Florence Tanner, a Spiritualist and mental medium, and Benjamin Franklin Fischer, a physical medium) - who are hired by dying millionaire Rolf Randolph Deutsch to investigate the possibility of life after death. To do so, they must enter the infamous Belasco House in Maine, regarded as the most haunted house in the world. The house got its name from the horrible acts of blasphemy and perversion that occurred under the silent influence and supervision of Emeric Belasco, and Fisher is the only survivor of a previous failed investigation attempt thirty years earlier. The novel combines supernatural horror with mystery as the researchers attempt to investigate the haunting of the house while their sanity is undermined subtly by its sinister supernatural influence.

During the investigation, various influences begin to affect character's personal weakness. Hell House's potency comes from its apparent ability to corrupt those who enter its walls, before bringing about their destruction, both mental and physical.

Matheson's novel has significant similarities with the earlier novel The Haunting of Hill House (1959) by Shirley Jackson, though rendered with much more violence and sexual imagery.

[StephenKingman]

Wow that sounds like its right up my street, and i loved Jackson's novel of The Haunting Of Hill House, i will look out for Hell House in the library as funds are a bit low right now, thanks.

[Mairin]

I'll have to get a copy of that and read it. If the movie remained loyal to the book than I just know I'll love it!!

[StephenKingman]

I'll have to get a copy of that and read it. If the movie remained loyal to the book than I just know I'll love it!!

A movie, too? Double treat!

[Slipstream]

A movie, too? Double treat!

Movie is "Legend of HellHouse" from 1973

[StephenKingman]

A movie, too? Double treat!

Movie is "Legend of HellHouse" from 1973

Thanks very much, the book is now on my TBR list and if its any good then ill see the movie as well.