The Woman in Black is the kind of ghost story that creeps up on you. There are no monsters, no vampires, no ghastly apparitions. It's the kind of book that makes you look over your shoulder every now and then, as you read it through the night. And because it's short, you can read it in one sitting. And the ending just has to be one of the most chilling I've read in the past few years.Incidentally, Hill has written a more recent ghost story, The Small Hand. And it's getting good reviews. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
17 comments:
You like Woman in White and Woman in Black. Which is more scary. A psychic, interviewed on TV lately, said women in black are actually more terrifying. Seems white ladies are really only tormented souls while black ladies are something else.
Hi, artseblis! The Woman in Black is definitely scarier. I wouldn't really classify The Woman in White as scary; it's more of a sensational novel than anything, but it has a gothic feel to it which can provide a very creepy mood. Still, both are very satisfying novels.
have you seen the nigel kneale adaptation from 1989? it's absolutely one of the best bits of ghost story television ever made - it takes a few liberties with the source novel which i, personally, think actually improve it. for some reason (probably the unhappy ending) susan hill hates it, but my main worry with the new film is... it won't be the 1989 version. it's an incredible watch and absolutely up there with "dead of night" and "night of the demon" as one of the finest, traditional filmed ghost stories made in the UK
I saw an amateur production of this in HK and it wasn't so scary so I haven't picked up the book because of it. I wonder if I still should. I've been looking for a good book for Halloween...
@crispy: Thanks for the recommendation! I'll be on the lookout for that one. I hope I can find it in video stores.
@Mrs. B: Oh, this book is really scary!
Ooh I don't think I have heard of this one. I shall add it my list as I love a good scare!
I'm sure you'll love this, Vivienne!
“There are no monsters, no vampires, no ghastly apparitions. It's the kind of book that makes you look over your shoulder every now and then . . .”
I prefer these kinds of horror stories than the gory and visually scary ones. And it’s now being made into a movie? ^_^ Interesting.
Wait. . . What’s wrong with Daniel Radcliffe? ^_^
Hello, Fun and Fearless! Well, there's nothing wrong with Daniel Radcliffe. I just have no strong opinions about him. Hehehe.
I recently reread The Woman in Black and listened to it on the radio also recently. I found it far scarier then then I did when I first read it.
I've also read The Small Hand and the Mist in the Mirror. I found neither as good as The Woman in Black.
I'm also not sure how good the film will be, but I think I still might see it.
Hi, Evanescence! Yes, like you, I will see it too! Hehehe.
I've just recently acquired a copy of the 1989 BBC production. Can't wait to see it!
Never read this but now I really want to.
About 2 decades ago, my family saw this play in London. At least my mom and sisters did, while I was in a British boarding school that had its own elements of scariness.
My older sister, then about 13, spent 3/4 of the play with her eyes closed and her fingers stuffed in her ears, singing the Philippine National Anthem under her breath so as not to know what was going on onstage. To this day she is afraid of the dark and terrified during sudden brownouts. My younger sister, a lover of all things frightening, thoroughly enjoyed it. It was her idea to see the show in the first place, but she was too young at 10 to watch alone. My mom, since then, cannot have a rocking chair in the house.
I've not read the book, nor seen the play, because I the effect of scary things on me is to make me unable to sleep (I think it was all those Freddy Kruger movies watched as a kid). But I may one day be brave enough to read this :)
@Portobello's coffee: Can I have a copy? Please?
@Ryan G: It's quick read, Ryan. You can finish it in fewer than 3 hours, I think.
@Stepford Mum: I miss the Freddy Kruger movies. hehehe.
Thanks for this dashing recommendation Mr. Kyusi Reader!
I might add this on the list of nominated in our book discussion for November in Goodreads-The Filipino Group.
Dark nights and creepy wonders!
Hi, jzhunagev! You're very much welcome!
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