Jenna

I'm in love with Shirley Jackson's writing style. Reading her feels like being carried downstream by words. And of course this book has one of the best opening lines/paragraphs of any I've ever read.

The horror comes not from the actual events, but in how painfully relatable the main character is, and how that forces you to come along with her as she declines. I also love how, no matter how you interpret the reality of the book's events, it still tells a powerful story. This is worth revisiting a few times.

Don't go into it expecting a horror movie; instead expect a tragic character study in fantastic prose. It's not really scary, but it is affecting. And again, I'd recommend it just for the writing.

Also I need more characters like Theodora in my life.

In the running for one of my favorite plays of all time. This is the best kind of character-driven drama, where everyone involved just wants to do the right thing, but they come into conflict anyway. I only wish it was a bit longer. This is an entire play about asking tough questions and not getting answers, so I know the lack of closure is the point, but I felt like there was more to be said.