Title: The Woman in Black
Author: Susan Hill
First published October 10, 1983
164 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780307950215 (ISBN10: 0307950212)
Rating: 3.74
Overview
“Prepare to be chilled to the bone with Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black. Follow the journey of Arthur Kipps, a young solicitor from London, as he travels to the remote town of Crythin Gifford to handle the affairs of his client, Mrs.
Alice Drablow. The eerie Eel Marsh House awaits him at the end of the causeway, shrouded in fog and mystery.
Kipps soon realizes that there is more to this business trip than meets the eye. Strange sounds, ghostly apparitions, and a woman in black haunt him, leading him down a path of terror and madness.
Hill’s masterpiece is a must-read for lovers of psychological thrillers and ghost stories alike.”
About the Author
Susan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her love for theatre and literature started during her days at Scarborough Convent School.
Her family moved to Coventry in 1958, and she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr’s Hill. She took A levels in English, French, History, and Latin, and went on to receive an English degree from King’s College London.
She wrote her first novel, The Enclosure, which was published by Hutchinson during her first year at university. The Daily Mail criticized the book’s sexual content, calling it unsuitable for a “schoolgirl”.
Hill’s next novel, Gentleman and Ladies, was published in 1968, followed by A Change for the Better, I’m the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing, and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975, Hill married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells, and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. They have two daughters, Jessica and Clemency.
Hill founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which publishes one work of fiction per year. Her hometown of Scarborough was featured in her novel A Change for the Better and some short stories, especially “Cockles and Mussels”.
Editoral Review
Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black is a classic ghost story published on October 10, 1983. Hill is an English author, renowned for her gothic and supernatural fiction.
The novel still haunts readers to this day, as they immerse themselves in the chilling tale of Arthur Kipps and his terrifying encounter with a vengeful spirit. Hill’s novel is a modern classic, blending gothic horror and psychological suspense to create a deeply unsettling reading experience.
The Woman in Black is set in Victorian England, and the plot follows Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer who is sent to a remote town called Crythin Gifford to settle the estate of a recently deceased client. While there, he sees a mysterious woman dressed in black and learns of the town’s dark past involving the woman in black.
As he delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a web of secrets that may bring him face to face with the ghostly apparition. Hill’s writing is atmospheric and vivid, evoking the eerie landscape of the marshes and the decaying house where Arthur stays.
Her prose is gripping and immersive, painting a haunting picture of the supernatural force that haunts the town. The author also excels in creating well-rounded and relatable characters that readers can empathize with and root for.
One of the novel’s strengths is its masterful pacing. Hill builds tension gradually, layering the dread and horror until readers are swept up in the story, too mesmerized to turn away from the page.
The plot structure is taut and suspenseful, and the themes of grief, loss, and trauma are explored with sensitivity and insight. In terms of genre and style, The Woman in Black is a perfect example of the gothic horror tradition, with its emphasis on ancestral curses, hidden secrets, and the supernatural.
But Hill elevates the genre with her sophisticated prose and psychological complexity. The novel also has cultural significance, as it resonates with contemporary issues, such as the impact of trauma on mental health and the enduring power of ghost stories in literature and popular culture.
While there are few flaws or limitations to the book, some readers may find the ending predictable or unsatisfying. However, this is balanced by the strength of the characters and the richly nuanced atmosphere that Hill creates.
Overall, The Woman in Black is a gripping and unforgettable novel, perfect for fans of gothic horror, psychological suspense, and classic ghost stories. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience the thrill of a chilling tale that leaves no room for sleep.
The book receives 4.5 stars out of 5, primarily due to its masterful storytelling, vivid imagery, and well-crafted characters.
