Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life

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

Shirley Jackson was one of the most acclaimed horror writers of the 20th century. Her novels and short stories explored themes of fear, isolation, and the supernatural. She was also a private person who struggled with mental illness. This biography tells the story of her life and work.

Early Life and Marriage

Shirley Jackson was born in San Francisco, California, in 1916. Her father was a lawyer, and her mother was a homemaker. Jackson was a shy and introverted child who often retreated into her own world of imagination. She began writing at a young age, and her stories often featured dark and macabre themes.

In 1940, Jackson married Stanley Edgar Hyman, a literary critic and professor. The couple had four children together. Jackson and her family lived in a variety of places, including New York City, Vermont, and California.

Writing Career

Jackson began her writing career in the early 1940s. Her short stories were published in magazines such as The New Yorker and Harper's Bazaar. In 1949, she published her first novel, The Haunting of Hill House. The novel was a critical and commercial success. It is considered to be one of the greatest horror novels ever written.

Jackson went on to write four more novels and numerous short stories. Her work was often praised for its psychological depth and its ability to evoke a sense of unease and dread. She was also known for her dark sense of humor.

Mental Illness

Jackson struggled with mental illness throughout her life. She was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and she also experienced periods of psychosis. Jackson's mental illness had a significant impact on her writing. Her stories often explored themes of madness and the supernatural.

Jackson was also a heavy smoker and drinker. Her health declined in her later years, and she died of heart failure in 1965. She was only 48 years old.

Legacy

Shirley Jackson is considered to be one of the most important horror writers of the 20th century. Her work has been praised by critics and readers alike. Jackson's stories have been adapted into several films and television shows. She is also the subject of numerous biographies and critical studies.

Jackson's legacy is complex and multifaceted. She was a brilliant writer who produced some of the most memorable horror stories ever written. She was also a private person who struggled with mental illness. Jackson's work continues to be read and enjoyed by people around the world.

Shirley Jackson was a gifted writer who left behind a body of work that is both haunting and unforgettable. Her stories explore the darkest recesses of the human psyche, and they continue to resonate with readers today.

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