Shirley Jackson

[Judith Crabb]

On Stephen King's recommendation in his fascinating 'Danse Macabre', a look at Horror in film and book in the latter part of last century, I have just finished reading 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. I was expecting something good and I was not disappointed. Jackson's 'Life among the Savages' and 'Raising Demons' are two of the funniest and most insightful books about domestic life and parenting which I have read, and probably the best written (though Alice Thomas Ellis is certainly on a par). I've read the impressive novel 'We have always lived in the Castle'. 'The Haunting of Hill House' is equally splendid - sly humour suitable foreboding and immaculate plotting, sustained from go to woe (and I mean it, literally).

[Barnard]

I think that Shirley Jackson’s short story, The Lottery, is brilliant.

[GloomyGraham]

Oh - came here by mistake thinking it was a thread about little Shirley Jackson from 'The Family at Redroofs'.

Oops sorry - carry on!

[Jomo]

Jackson's 'Life among the Savages' and 'Raising Demons' are two of the funniest and most insightful books about domestic life and parenting which I have read, and probably the best written…

I agree! I’ve been reading Raising Demons on loan at archive .org
https://archive.org/embed/raisingdemons00jack

It is hilarious!! Beautifully observed and drily delivered, had me snort-chortling on every page