A Haunting on the Hill: A Novel By Elizabeth Hand

"Hunting the Dark" by Elizabeth Hand is a haunting and evocative novel that ventures into the eerie realm of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, marking the first authorized return to Jackson’s iconic world. This novel has been celebrated as a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and Harper's Bazaar.

Holly Sherwin, a struggling playwright, receives a grant to develop her new play, Witching Night. Desperate for the ideal setting to create, she discovers Hill House—a vast, isolated mansion nestled in a remote village. Its grandeur and sinister ambiance make it the perfect backdrop for her work. Holly convinces her girlfriend, Nisa, and a troupe of actors to join her for a month-long stay, hoping to find inspiration in the house’s haunting atmosphere.

As Holly and her team settle into the mansion, they encounter unsettling phenomena: mysterious creatures lurking in the grounds, unsettling noises echoing through the halls, and an unsettling distortion of time. The house itself seems to come alive with malevolent intent, and the boundaries between reality and nightmare begin to blur.

Faced with the house's dark forces, Holly and her companions grapple with their personal demons and the sinister presence that has awaited them. Hunting the Dark is a chilling homage to Jackson’s legacy, blending contemporary horror with gothic elements, and offering a compelling exploration of isolation, longing, and the supernatural. Elizabeth Hand’s masterful writing weaves a tale that is both a tribute to and a transformation of Jackson's vision. 📚❤️