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A Novel

Una Novela

Dr. John Montague, a scholar with a keen interest in the supernatural, leases a notorious, isolated mansion thought to be haunted, with the purpose of conducting a study on paranormal activities. He invites Eleanor Vance, a woman in her early thirties who had encounters with a poltergeist during her childhood, and Theodora, a woman with claimed psychic abilities, to take part in his experiment. Luke Sanderson, a future heir of the property with questionable character traits, is also part of the research group, sent by his aunt to keep undesired spiritual enthusiasts away and to avoid causing trouble.

Eleanor, who had been her ill mother's primary caregiver until her recent demise and is in the process of discovering her independence, is the first to arrive at the mansion. Despite her intuition urging her to leave, she remains and encounters the unfriendly caretakers, the Dudleys. She forms an immediate bond with Theodora, who possesses a warm, engaging persona, which is a stark contrast to Eleanor's reclusive nature. After the arrival of Dr. Montague and Luke, the group learns about the house's tragic past involving disputes over ownership, suicides, and the complex architecture of the mansion designed to confuse its inhabitants.

Throughout their stay, the team experiences a series of inexplicable incidents, such as loud bangs, cold spots, and mysterious writings appearing in the hallways. As these eerie occurrences increase, suspicion falls heavily on Eleanor, who feels specifically targeted by the mansion. The arrival of Dr. Montague's wife, a fellow psychic researcher, only raises the tension, as she attempts to communicate with the spirits using a planchette. As Eleanor's sense of reality starts to blur, she starts to feel a deep connection with the mansion, believing she can hear any sound within its walls. Despite a unanimous agreement that Eleanor should leave for her mental well-being, she regards the mansion as her new home and tragically drives into a tree, ending her life in a suspected suicide. Despite the publication of his research, Dr. Montague's findings are met with criticism from his peers.

The Haunting of Hill House

La Maldición de Hill House

The Shining

El Resplandor

Hell House

La Casa del Infierno

A tale is recounted from a past Christmas Eve gathering, where attendees shared ghost stories in a historical home. One guest, Douglas, shared an eerie tale involving a young governess, his sister, who cared for two children, Flora and Miles, after their former governess passed away. The children lived in a secluded country house under the guardianship of a charming bachelor. The recounting of this tale transitions to the perspective of the governess, detailing her peculiar encounters.

On her arrival at Bly, the country house, the governess is introduced to Flora and a housemaid, Mrs. Grose, which assuages her initial anxiety. However, she soon learns of Miles' expulsion from school, the reasons for which are unclear. This unsettling news prompts her to seek more information from Mrs. Grose, but she is placated when assured of Miles' typical boyish behavior. One evening, the governess encounters a strange man within the grounds of the house twice. Mrs. Grose identifies the man as Peter Quint, a former valet, now deceased. The governess becomes convinced that this apparition is after Miles, leading her to oversee the children more strictly. During a lakeside visit with Flora, she perceives the specter of her predecessor, Miss Jessel, and suspects Flora of hiding this eerie presence. Mrs. Grose subsequently reveals the inappropriate relationships Quint and Miss Jessel had with the children.

The peaceful atmosphere is disrupted when the governess has another encounter with Quint, this time on the staircase after a gust of wind put out her candle. Following this event, she finds Flora hiding in her room and, in the following nights, sees the ghost of Miss Jessel. After a discussion with Mrs. Grose about the children's peculiar behavior and her suspicions of them meeting the ghosts, the governess resolves to contact their guardian. At the same time, she threatens to leave if Mrs. Grose contacts him. However, after another encounter with Miss Jessel's ghost, she ultimately decides to stay. One evening, the governess questions Miles about his behavior and the missing letter she had intended to send to their guardian, which he admits to taking. In the final chilling encounter, the governess sees Quint outside, and as Miles looks for him, he suddenly dies in her arms.

14 Best Haunted House Books of All Time

The Haunting of Hill House

A Novel

The Shining

Hell House

The Turn of the Screw

The Little Stranger

The House Next Door

The Grip of It

A Novel

The Graveyard Apartment

A Novel

House of Leaves

Burnt Offerings

Within These Walls

The Good House

A Novel

The Haunted

Haunting Bombay

A Novel

Sources

What To Read Next

14 Best Haunted House Books of All Time

The Haunting of Hill House

A Novel

The Shining

Hell House

The Turn of the Screw

The Little Stranger

The House Next Door

The Grip of It

A Novel

The Graveyard Apartment

A Novel

House of Leaves

Burnt Offerings

Within These Walls

The Good House

A Novel

The Haunted

Haunting Bombay

A Novel

Sources

What To Read Next

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