BLRB 4: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Last night, BLRB gathered in St John to talk Baldwin (specifically, If Beale Street Could Talk). There was, of course, much to discuss. We began with optimism. Joyce Carol Oates, in her review of the novel, argues that it ‘is ultimately optimistic.’ Some of our members thought this was the wrong word, optimistic no but hopeful, perhaps. They noted towards the end of the novel, the protagonist, Fonny ‘ceases clinging to hope.’  Others argued that optimism was the right word, that the love between Fonny and Tish is its own kind of optimism, that Sharon’s trip to Puerto Rico was also optimism. The discussion which proceeded was wide-ranging and included the difference between the ending of the book and the film, the relationship between Joseph and Frank (and it’s softness), and the portrayal of women.

Thank you to everyone who everyone who came, it was a brilliant and much-enjoyed discussion. A small note, on attendance. There are often people on the waiting list for BLRB, and there have been a few instances of last minute dropouts. To ensure, that the book club is fair and as full as possible there is a three-strike policy whereby if you drop out last minute three times you will unfortunately be unable to attend the book club for the six months. This is to guarantee that people who would like to attend and actively engage in the book club community are able to do so.

I’d encourage anyone hoping to join future sessions to sign up to our newsletter (at bottom of the page), where updates on future book clubs will be sent. In the meantime, go to this link to sign up for our next meeting which will be on …The Haunting of Hill House by Shirely Jackson.

Jackson wrote this after reading about a group of nineteenth century "psychic researchers" who studied a supposedly haunted house. The house itself is based on one built by her great-great-grandfather. As part of her process, Jackson sketched floor plans of the house. Jackson was invested in the spooky and eerie and wrote much around the gothic genre including a non-fiction book on witches.

If you would like to read around this novel check out this paper reassessing the text, this London Review of Books article reviewing Ruth Franklin’s biography of Shirely Jackson and this Guardian article on rereading the novel.

How to attend

Please RSVP by following this link. Places are limited and we ask that if you can no longer attend you let us know at books@lrbshop.co.uk so we can give your ticket to someone else.

While tickets are free, we do ask that you buy the book from us to support the continuation of this book club.

It will take place Monday 26 October at 6.45pm. Many of our members arrive at 6.30 and have a drink and a chat in St John.

Looking forward to seeing you then!

Saff