Jackson was subtle, Matheson blunt and fast. Both were effective horror writers in their own way, and usually their subject matter didn't match up like it did here because of that.
I too have both of Matheson’s books you mention on my shelf. Both untouched. I’ll have to move Hell House up on my TBR to have better insight to your comparisons. I loved The Haunting of Hill House. I don’t know that many books can live up to that.
I also read We Have Always Lived in the Castle earlier this summer, such an amazing experience. I read it in one weekend. She packs a lot of story in less than 150 pages.
Shirley Jackson didn’t just raise the bar with her work. In my mind, she IS the bar that other writers are trying to reach.
Jackson was subtle, Matheson blunt and fast. Both were effective horror writers in their own way, and usually their subject matter didn't match up like it did here because of that.
I too have both of Matheson’s books you mention on my shelf. Both untouched. I’ll have to move Hell House up on my TBR to have better insight to your comparisons. I loved The Haunting of Hill House. I don’t know that many books can live up to that.
I also read We Have Always Lived in the Castle earlier this summer, such an amazing experience. I read it in one weekend. She packs a lot of story in less than 150 pages.
Shirley Jackson didn’t just raise the bar with her work. In my mind, she IS the bar that other writers are trying to reach.