On the Road with Penguin Classics The Haunting of Hill House with Ruth Franklin – Halloween Special 2023
Oct 31, 2023
Ruth Franklin, an award-winning biographer and journalist known for her work on Shirley Jackson, joins the discussion in a haunting exploration of the Everett Mansion, possibly the inspiration for Jackson's classic. They unpack the psychological themes of 'The Haunting of Hill House,' linking Eleanor Vance's isolation to the eerie architecture of the mansion. Franklin also discusses the challenges of bringing Jackson's characters to life and how the haunting elements reflect deeper struggles with identity and belonging, perfect for this Halloween season.
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Everett Mansion In Jackson's Clippings
- Ruth Franklin found a clipping of the Everett Mansion among Shirley Jackson's inspiration folder.
- She visited the mansion and felt it resembled Hill House in setting and atmosphere.
Mansion's Dark Local Legends
- The Everett Mansion's real-life history echoes Hill House's backstory with disputed inheritance and tragic deaths.
- Locals report sightings of a woman in white said to haunt the grounds.
Mansion's Gilded Materials
- Brian Lent and Michael Cohen describe the mansion's lavish original finishes and restoration plans.
- They highlight mahogany woodwork, Italian marble mantels, and sterling silver fixtures.