Netflix has the perfect adaptation of a season of brilliant horror novel that inspired Stephen Kingit’s writing in more than one way.
Stephen King is one of the most prolific horror authors of all time and has several original short stories and books to his credit. However, as original as his stories were, he too drew inspiration from some of the greatest works of horror literature.
The King of Horror’s long line of storytelling has not only been inspired by the works of other renowned horror authors like Edgar Allan Poe and HP Lovecraft, but also by non-horror novels like that of William Golding. Lord of the Flies. A horror book that particularly shaped King’s writing also has an incredible Netflix adaptation.
The book that inspired Stephen King’s The Shining has a brilliant Netflix adaptation
In his book Dance of MacabreStephen King quoted Shirley Jackson The Haunting of Hill House as one of the greatest supernatural books of the last century. The King of Horror praised everything from the book’s creepy atmosphere to its incredibly immersive storytelling and subtle adoption of paranormal elements.
Several sources also suggest that Stephen King’s speech The shiny was deeply inspired by The Haunting of Hill House. Many narrative and thematic parallels can also be drawn between the two. For example, both stories take place in haunted settings that seem to possess a will of their own, preying on the deepest fears and vulnerabilities of their inhabitants.
While The shiny has an iconic film adaptation, The Haunting of Hill Housealso has a highly acclaimed television adaptation on Netflix. Created by Mike Flanagan, the series contains a fair share of typical scares and paranormal horror tropes. However, what makes it shine is how it connects its paranormal elements to the psychological wounds experienced by a family.
The show features several well-timed scary and scary scenes throughout its duration. But the real source of its terrors lies in its poignant depiction of the cycles of life and death and the repercussions of unresolved grief and trauma.
The Haunting of Hill House marked the television debut of Mike Flanagan. Still, it’s as perfect as a horror show can be. Everything from its actors’ performances to its storytelling, from its background scores to its poignant cinematography, work in pure harmony to create an experience that only a few horror films and shows can imitate.
The Shining has a direct reference to Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Stephen King apparently makes no secret of how he was inspired by Shirley Jackson’s book. The Haunting of Hill House. Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that in The shinyKing makes a direct reference to the titular setting of Shirley Jackson’s novel by quoting:
“There was a little boy to terrorize, a man and a woman to pit against each other, and if he played his cards right, they might end up slinking through the lobby of the Overlook like insubstantial shadows in a Novel by Shirley Jackson, everything that worked in Hill House worked alonebut you couldn’t be alone in the Overlook, oh no, there would be plenty of company here.”
Stephen King even dedicated one of his books to Shirley Jackson
The shiny is not the only novel in which Stephen King mentions Shirley Jackson. One of Stephen King’s most adapted books, Fire starteralso begins with a dedication to Shirley Jackson who says:
“In memory of Shirley Jackson, who never needed to raise her voice.”
Shirley Jackson’s influence on Stephen King highlights how some of the greatest storytellers are those who absorb, echo, and reinterpret the stories and truths shared by those who came before them.
NetflixIt is The Haunting of Hill House also achieves something similar by not only adopting several tropes and devices from Shirley Jackson and Stephen Kingbut also to engrave one’s own identity in the horror genre with its masterful balance of poignant storytelling and supernatural terrors.
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The Haunting of Hill House
10/10
- Release date
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2018 – 2018
- Network
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Netflix
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Michiel Huisman
Steven Crain
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Elizabeth Reaser
Shirley Crain
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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is an iconic horror book that is still widely considered the best haunted house story of all time. Published in 1959 by Viking, this 208-page book was a finalist for the National Book Award.
The Haunting of Hill House follows the characters of Dr. John Montague, Eleanor Vance, Theodora and Luke Sanderson. Dr. Montague invited others to spend time with him at the historic mansion, Hill House. Dr. Montague hopes to gather scientific evidence to support his belief in the supernatural. As their time at Hill House progresses, the guests encounter strange phenomena, although Eleanor appears to witness the majority of these events. It is hinted that Eleanor is susceptible to hauntings or that she goes crazy and imagines things. A third alternative is that, unbeknownst to her, she possesses telekinetic abilities that cause disturbances in the house.
The book has been praised for its exploration of the minds and psyches of the characters visiting Hill House. Rather than focusing on overtly frightening events, Jackson instead writes in such a way that much of the supernatural events occur without full details or explanations. For example, in one scene, Schuyler witnesses something outside Hill House and screams for Eleanor to run, but what she saw is never explained.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson creates a completely terrifying atmosphere in such a short time, it’s no wonder that critics and audiences are raving about this horror book. Despite its many adaptations, nothing can compare to Jackson’s original work.
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- Date of birth
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September 21, 1947
- Place of birth
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Portland, Maine, United States
- Height
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6 feet 4 inches
- Notable projects
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The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, It, The Stand, Misery, The Dark Tower, Mr. Mercedes, Carrie
- Professions
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Author, Screenwriter, Producer, Director, Actor
Discover the latest news and filmography of Stephen King, known for the series The Dark Tower, The Stand, IT, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, Misery, the Bill Hodges trilogy, and much more.
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- Release date
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September 7, 2019
- Episode number
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8
- Season
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Um, actually – Season 2
- Runtime
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28 minutes
