Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m sharing my review of Hell House by Richard Matheson.

Hell House was published in 1971 by Viking Press and is 288 pages long.

TRIGGER WARNING: This book has some weighty themes, including abuse and sexual violence. If you think you may be affected by reading about such things, please skip this book.

The Plot
Dr Barrett, a physicist, is tasked with scientifically investigating the notorious Belasco House (aka “Hell House”), infamous for its violent hauntings and grotesque history. Accompanied by three others—a spiritual medium, a physical medium, and his sceptical wife, he seeks to uncover whether the phenomena are truly supernatural or grounded in natural laws.

Characters
Dr Lionel Barrett
Dr Barrett is a physicist and leader of the investigative team hired to uncover and understand Hell House’s paranormal activity. He is pragmatic and scientific, relying heavily on technology and his theories to explain supernatural occurrences. He believes that the manifestations in Hell House can be explained and controlled through scientific means.

Edith Barrett
Edith is Lionel’s wife, and she might seem like a passive addition at first, but her character arc is a slow burn that pays off in surprising ways. She is more sensitive and intuitive than her analytical husband. Throughout the story, Edith’s psychological depth and emotional responses to the house play a critical role in unfolding events as she becomes increasingly susceptible to the house’s influences.

Florence Tanner
Florence provides an intriguing spiritual counterpoint. She is a spiritual medium and a devout Christian who believes that the spirits trapped in Hell House need to be understood and set free through her psychic abilities. Her approach clashes with Dr Barrett’s, as she tends to personalize her interactions with the spirits, which leads to complex consequences.

Benjamin Fischer
Fischer is a physical medium and the only surviving member of a previous investigation conducted in Hell House thirty years prior. He enters the house again with deep reluctance, carrying a traumatic past and extensive experience with its dangers. Fischer’s knowledge of the house’s history and his cautious tactics contrast with the approaches of the other team members.

Writing Style
Matheson’s writing style in Hell House is direct. His prose is tight, and he doesn’t waste words while still managing to create a vivid and oppressive atmosphere.

The descriptions of the house itself are chilling, painting a picture of a space that feels alive in its malice. It’s not just a setting; it’s the true antagonist of the novel, more so than even the spirit of Emeric Belasco (the reported ghostly presence).

The book is paced very well, with a nice balance between moments of action and quieter, creeping dread. While some scenes are outright terrifying (especially if you’re a bedtime reader like me), others rely on subtler forms of horror—unexpected noises, shadows that appear to move, or the slow unravelling of the characters’ mental states. These quieter moments are just as disturbing as the more graphic ones because they root the fear firmly in the psychological.

All that being said, some elements of the book feel dated. The novel was written in 1971, and some interpersonal dynamics between the characters might not sit well with modern readers. The book also includes sexual themes, especially in the last third, most of which are uncomfortable to read because they are mixed with moments of grotesque violence. Still, these moments don’t overshadow the story’s overall readability. Instead, they invite reflection on how societal perceptions of characters like Edith’s have evolved over time.

Final Thoughts
Matheson’s Hell House is more than just the story of a haunted mansion; it is a study of fear, belief, and the fragility of the human mind. If you’re a fan of haunted house stories or psychological horror, Hell House is absolutely worth your time. It’s intense, disturbing, and thought-provoking in equal measure.

That said, if you’re sensitive to graphic or thematic content, I’d advise going in with caution. Matheson doesn’t shy away from the darker sides of the human psyche, and this book doesn’t pull its punches.

I am giving Hell House a 9/10.

Have you read Hell House? I’d love to know what you think.

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review.

Until next time,

George

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Categories: Book Reviews, Reading

Tags: book review, ghosts, horror, paranormal, psychic, review, Scary, spooky