Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life

Shirley Jackson was an American writer known for her dark and atmospheric horror fiction. Her most famous works include The Haunting of Hill House (1959) and We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962). Jackson was also a prolific writer of short stories, many of which have been collected in anthologies such as The Lottery and Other Stories (1949) and The Bird's Nest and Other Stories (1954).

Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life

by Ruth Franklin

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	51389 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	620 pages

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Jackson was born in San Francisco in 1916. She began writing at a young age, and her first short story was published in The New Republic in 1940. Jackson married the literary critic Stanley Edgar Hyman in 1940, and the couple had four children. The family lived in a series of houses in New England, including a rented house in North Bennington, Vermont, that was said to be haunted.

Jackson's writing was often inspired by her own experiences. In The Haunting of Hill House, for example, she drew on her experiences living in the rented house in North Bennington. The novel tells the story of a group of people who are invited to spend a summer in the house, which is said to be haunted by the ghosts of its former occupants. The novel was a critical and commercial success, and it has been adapted into several films and television shows.

Jackson's other works of horror fiction include We Have Always Lived in the Castle, The Bird's Nest, and The Sundial. These novels and stories explore themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural. Jackson's writing is often praised for its psychological depth and its ability to create a sense of suspense and dread.

In addition to her horror fiction, Jackson also wrote several works of non-fiction, including Life Among the Savages (1953) and Raising Demons (1957). These books offer a glimpse into Jackson's personal life and her experiences as a wife and mother. Jackson's writing is often humorous and insightful, and it provides a unique perspective on the challenges of modern life.

Shirley Jackson died in 1965 at the age of 48. She is considered one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th century. Her work continues to be read and enjoyed by readers around the world.

Further Reading

• The Shirley Jackson Website
• Shirley Jackson's Dark Imagination by Ruth Franklin
• Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin

Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life

by Ruth Franklin

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	51389 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	620 pages

FREE