"A Haunting on the Hill" by Elizabeth Hand
Review by Amanda Wiley, Division Manager, Southwest Library
Has anyone else found themselves more drawn to the horror genre as of late? I certainly have been finding myself reaching for tales of darkness and dread when looking for an escape into reading. One of my recent favourites is “A Haunting on the Hill” by Elizabeth Hand, the first-ever authorized novel to return to the world of Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House.”
When playwright, Holly, stumbles upon Hill House while travelling, she sees it as the perfect space to workshop her new play, “Witching Night.” Soon Holly and her main cast, which include her actress girlfriend, best friend and an aging ingénue looking to make her comeback, begin rehearsing at Hill House. Hill House springs to vivid life once more, preying on the characters' deepest fears and hidden desires. The line between reality and imagination and past and present draws thin, and surprising discoveries lead to horrifying results.
This engrossing novel speaks to the darker pieces of humanity that lurk in the shadows. It is available in print and e-book formats from Kitchener Public Library.