Reviews with content warning for Confinement - Die Geheimnisse von Hill House: Roman

Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

Die Geheimnisse von Hill House: Roman by Elizabeth Hand

8 reviews

erinreading's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The audio book has sound effects which are both amazing and unnerving

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chaisquarelatte's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed aspects of this book, some parts were really well done, and other parts I think could’ve been done better. I will be thinking about the story for a long time.

The four people who stay at the house have a vested interest in remaining in the house when things clearly are not right. There is jealousy, toxicity and promise of renewed careers and it seems that the play that has bought these people together is doomed. The thing that kept me going was waiting for the metaphorical car crash to happen. But when it did happen, it didn’t really pan out in a way that made sense.

Stevie was the one that was supposed to go and while it was in some way an interesting twist that Nisa’s spoilt attitude made her fall victim instead, the fact there is no body really makes no sense given the House’s history/MO

. I also think the epilogue was unnecessary and actually made the ending worse.

I know this review sounds quite scathing for a 4 star, but I really enjoyed the build up, the ending fell flat. Also, as I listened to the audio book, I really have to give kudos to the production. I don’t think I would’ve been so invested if I had read a physical copy.

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cococorycollins's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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abbyynormal's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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themelaniewaite's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The day I sat down to read this, I read through 70 pages. It’s so easy to get into, and while it felt like a slow start getting to know characters - the eerie factor of the story begins very early on. The atmosphere, the loss (and gain?) of time, the black hare that seems to be following the main character Holly.

Throughout the story there are so many brilliant callbacks and subtle nods to the original novel woven within, it feels like you’re in on the secrets of the house in how it comes back to life again. It is absolutely clear that the author is a fan of the original novel.

I read this so fast, I could not put this book down. While some of it felt a little slow, and the storytelling shifted through memories of how the characters were connected, to even switching between first (Holly’s perspective) person to third person (for the others’ scenes/perspectives), it all helped in the overall tone of the story. It all paid off with the climactic few chapters, really bringing the house to life and tying into the original story with a warning of what might happen if anyone else dared to underestimate Hill House.

The moment I found out about this book, I had to have it and I am so, so glad I gave it a chance. It mirrors that eerie, impending horror that has been building under the surface that the original had, the execution and pay-off were totally worth it, and I have been recommending this book to anyone that enjoyed the original story or enjoy a haunted house plot. I couldn’t stop thinking about this book, eager to get back and read more; even now, after finishing it I can’t stop thinking about it. The hares, the shadows, the voices - that ending! It has definitely left an imprint on me like Shirley Jackson’s original novel, and I think that really says something about the love and dedication that went into creating this story.

A sequel or continuation is never as good as the original - we know this for many examples - but this is a strong follow-up to the Hill House universe.

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