Reading the 20th Century discussion

Our October, 2018 Mod-Led read is: Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life

Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Biography

Winner of the Edgar Award in Critical/Biographical

Winner of the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Nonfiction

A New York Times Notable Book of 2016

A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Pick of 2016

An Entertainment Weekly Best Book of 2016

A Time Magazine Top Nonfiction of 2016

A Seattle Times Best Book of 2016

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2016

An NPR 2016's Great Read

A Boston Globe Best Book of 2016

A Nylon Best Book of 2016

A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2016

A Booklist 2016 Editors' Choice

Hopefully, the above will be enough to whet your appetite!

In this “thoughtful and persuasive” biography, award-winning biographer Ruth Franklin establishes Shirley Jackson as a “serious and accomplished literary artist” (Charles McGrath, New York Times Book Review).

Instantly heralded for its “masterful” and “thrilling” portrayal (Boston Globe), Shirley Jackson reveals the tumultuous life and inner darkness of the literary genius behind such classics as “The Lottery” and The Haunting of Hill House. In this “remarkable act of reclamation” (Neil Gaiman), Ruth Franklin envisions Jackson as “belonging to the great tradition of Hawthorne, Poe and James” (New York Times Book Review) and demonstrates how her unique contribution to the canon “so uncannily channeled women’s nightmares and contradictions that it is ‘nothing less than the secret history of American women of her era’ ” (Washington Post). Franklin investigates the “interplay between the life, the work, and the times with real skill and insight, making this fine book a real contribution not only to biography, but to mid-20th-century women’s history” (Chicago Tribune). “Wisely rescu[ing] Shirley Jackson from any semblance of obscurity” (Lena Dunham), Franklin’s invigorating portrait stands as the definitive biography of a generational avatar and an American literary genius.

Perfect for Halloween, we will also be running a Buddy Read of The Haunting of Hill House in mid-October.

As it is the weekend, and will be the 1st October on Monday, I thought we could open the discussion a little early...

This is the second biography of Shirley Jackson that I have read - I recall reading Private Demons: The Life of Shirley Jackson
I enjoyed both, but the author of this book has certainly uncovered some interesting correspondence and this was very well written.

Here are a couple of links to reviews of the book:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...

https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2016...

Those reviews and awards for the Shirley Jackson biography certainly whet my appetite. But I feel I'd need to know more of her work before trying it. So far I've only read The Haunting Of Hill House, which underwhelmed me - I was galloping through it looking for answers and didn't feel like there were any.

Perhaps I approached it in the wrong mindset. My fondness for detective stories which tie everything up neatly means I struggle with open-ended ghost stories - I had problems with the Turn Of The Screw for the same reason. But I love the beautifully structured short ghost stories of ER James, which all have a logical conclusion, if not an actual explanation.

I originally read HOHH after reading Stephen King's Danse Macabre, which is rather good on the horror/ghost genre and recommends a number of classics.

We are reading Haunting of Hill House as a Buddy Read later in the month, so I will look forward to your thoughts, Annabel.

Has anyone else read any of Jackson's novels or stories? Does anyone have a favourite? Mine has to be We Have Always Lived in the Castle her last novel.

Mrs B has just finished The Haunting of Hill House. She loved it. My anticipation levels, already high, have been cranked up even further.

Good to hear, Nigeyb!

I have started re-reading Hill House now. I was fascinated, in the biography, to read that Shirley Jackson never showed much interest in any of the radio/film adaptations of her books, saying that if her work was paid for, people could do what they wished with it. Even though she disliked some versions, she was never openly critical.

There is, I believe, a new TV adaption of Hill House coming soon, which seems to have changed the plot completely. I am not sure why they could not have simply made a haunted house mini series, rather than using the title of the book, if they were not going to follow the actual book?
https://www.maxim.com/entertainment/h...

Good points Susan. That said, the series does sound well worth watching based on that article you link to.

Yes, possibly a good series, but it is really an adaptation of Hill House? Perhaps Shirley Jackson herself, would not care?

I was slightly disappointed in We Have Always Lived in the Castle, perhaps because so many friends have loved it and I merely 'liked' it. Still, have high hopes for Hill House which I just started last night. I'm enjoying the intricate character set-up so far.

Jackson obviously lived in a time when gender roles were much were defined than they were now. Her relationship with her husband, Stanley Hyman, was very interesting to read about. He was a famous critic and teacher, but once Jackson had success, she out-earned him. He was often unfaithful and made her very unhappy, demanding that time she spent not writing was time wasted!

I suspect it is the old story of women believing they can change a man and then discovering they can't. It must be hurtful though, for your husband to talk about other women and even, as Stanley did with students, bring them into his home and then not realise why Shirley was upset!

I was interested in the fact that both she and Stanley were writers and he was, certainly, supportive of her writing and recognised her talent.

I am not really a film fan, so I haven't seen any of the adaptations. However, it was interesting that Shirley Jackson was fairly laid back as far as adaptation of her work was concerned.

Oh, that's true. I forgot about the man needing the typewriter first... Well, it was a few years ago and a different time.

I've been reading and enjoying this. Until I read Hill House a few days ago (loved it) the only Shirley Jackson I'd ever read was the chilling Lottery. Very interesting to see what her life was like. I have to say that Stanley really sounds like a (very talented) jerk. I feel sorry for Shirley that she didn't find a kinder, warmer husband.

I am pleased that you are both enjoying this, Barbara and Carissa. I would like to read her memoirs, Carissa. Apparently, she dug at Stanley quite a bit in these books.

The author suggests that Shirley's relationship with her mother made her accept Stanley's behaviour as normal. How much do you think this was true? Did her mothers constant disapproval pave the way for later unhappiness?

I can't see any volumes of her letter/diaries in print. Her two volumes of family memoirs are:

Life Among the Savages and

Raising Demons

I do mean to read these and think they might a good insight into her family life.

Yes, I would agree that they shared a lot of interests. Certainly, Stanley could be kind and thoughtful (not often enough, but sometimes he was!) and he did recognise her talent.

Yes, I have read Private Demons, Carissa. I think they were quite similar, as I recall, but this was more extensive, with more of her personal letters.

Stanley was a bit of a mixed blessing for Shirley, I think. He initially encouraged her writing and then he became another mother - dragging her down, rather than building her up. I do think she saw herself as a writer more after meeting up with Stanley and their initial competition made her keener to get published. Then, frankly, he turned into a 1940's husband and she got stuck with the kids, house and with making enough money to keep the family afloat.

Glad you enjoyed it, though. Anyone up for another Jackson Buddy Read?