Netflix has the perfect one-season adaptation of a brilliant horror novel that inspired Stephen King‘s writing in more ways than one.
Stephen King is one of the most prolific horror authors of all time and has several original short stories and books under his belt. However, as original as his stories may be, he, too, has drawn inspiration from some of the greatest works in horror literature.
The King of Horror’s long line of storytelling has not only been inspired by the works of other renowned horror authors like Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft but also by non-horror novels like William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. One horror book that particularly shaped King’s writing also happens to have an incredible Netflix adaptation.
The Book That Inspired Stephen King’s The Shining Has A Brilliant Netflix Adaptation
In his book Danse Macabre, Stephen King cited Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House as one of the greatest supernatural books of the past century. The King of Horror praised everything from the book’s atmospheric dread to its incredibly immersive storytelling and subtle adoption of paranormal elements.
Several sources also suggest that Stephen King’s The Shining was deeply inspired by The Haunting of Hill House. Many narrative and thematic parallels can also be drawn between the two. For instance, both stories unfold in haunted settings that seem to possess a will of their own, feeding on the deepest fears and vulnerabilities of their residents.
While The Shining has an iconic movie adaptation, The Haunting of Hill House, too, has a highly acclaimed TV adaptation on Netflix. Created by Mike Flanagan, the series has a fair share of typical jump-scares and paranormal horror tropes. However, what makes it shine is how it ties its paranormal elements to the psychological wounds experienced by a family.
The show features several well-timed scares and chilling scenes throughout its runtime. But the true source of its terrors becomes its harrowing portrayal of the cycles of life and death and the ripple effect of unresolved grief and trauma.
The Haunting of Hill House marked Mike Flanagan’s TV debut. Yet, it is as perfect as a horror show can be. Everything from the performances of its cast to its storytelling, from its background scores to its harrowing cinematography, works in pure harmony to create an experience that only a few horror movies and shows can emulate.
The Shining Has A Direct Reference To Shirley Jackson’s Hill House
Stephen King is seemingly not secretive at all about how he draws from Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that, in The Shining, King makes a direct reference to the titular setting from the Shirley Jackson novel by quoting:
“There was a little boy to terrorize, a man and a woman to set one against the other, and if it played its cards right they could end up fitting through the Overlook’s hall like insubstantial shades in a Shirley Jackson novel, whatever walked in Hill House walked alone, but you couldn’t be alone in the Overlook, oh no, there would be plenty of company here.”
Stephen King Even Dedicated One Of His Books To Shirley Jackson
The Shining is not the only novel in which Stephen King mentions Shirley Jackson. One of Stephen King’s most adapted books, Firestarter, also begins with a dedication to Shirley Jackson that says:
“In Memory of Shirley Jackson, who never needed to raise her voice.”
Shirley Jackson’s influence on Stephen King highlights how some of the greatest storytellers are the ones who absorb, echo, and reinterpret the stories and truths shared by those who came before them.
Netflix‘s The Haunting of Hill House also achieves something similar by not only adopting several tropes and devices from Shirley Jackson and Stephen King‘s stories but also etching its own identity in the horror genre with its masterful balance between poignant storytelling and supernatural terrors.
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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is an iconic horror book that is still widely considered the best haunted house story of all time. Published in 1959 by Viking, this 208-page book was a finalist for the National Book Award.
The Haunting of Hill House follows the characters of Dr. John Montague, Eleanor Vance, Theodora, and Luke Sanderson. Dr. Montague has invited the others to spend time with him at the historic mansion, Hill House. Dr. Montague is hoping to capture scientific evidence to support his belief in the supernatural. As their time at Hill House progresses, the guests experience strange phenomena, though Eleanor seems to witness the majority of these happenings. It’s hinted that either Eleanor is sensitive to hauntings or that she’s going mad and imagining things. A third alternative is that, unbeknownst to her, she possesses telekinetic abilities that cause the disturbances around the house.
The book was praised for its exploration into the minds and psyches of the characters visiting Hill House. Rather than focus on overtly scary occurrences, Jackson instead writes such that much of the supernatural goings-on happen without full detail or explanation. For example, in one scene, Theodora witnesses something outside of Hill House and yells for Eleanor to run, but it’s never explained what she saw.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson creates a completely terrifying atmosphere in such a short span of time, it’s no wonder critics and audiences rave about this horror book. Despite its many adaptations, nothing can compare to Jackson’s original work.
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- Birthdate
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September 21, 1947
- Birthplace
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Portland, Maine, USA
- Height
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6 feet 4 inches
- Notable Projects
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The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, It, The Stand, Misery, The Dark Tower, Mr. Mercedes, Carrie
- Professions
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Author, Screenwriter, Producer, Director, Actor
Discover the latest news and filmography for Stephen King, known for The Dark Tower series, The Stand, IT, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, Misery, the Bill Hodges trilogy, and more.
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- Release Date
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September 7, 2019
- Episode Number
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8
- Season
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Um, Actually – Season 2
- Runtime
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28 minutes
