The Woman In Black - Susan Hill

Advantages: Excellent gothic novel, the woman in black is genuinely scary.
Disadvantages: Short book, and at times the main character can be a little unbelievable.

The story begins with the main character, Arthur Kipps, struggling over the choice whether to tell his family his story. After agonising over the decision to write it down or not, he decides he will. And it's a ghost story. Mrs. Drablow is dead, and the young upcoming solicitor has been sent to sort out her affairs and documents (quite similar to the main character from Dracula in this respect). When Arthur arrives at the town of Crythin Gifford ...
...the towns inhabitants. However, after describing his business at the Inn he is staying in, the locals begin to avoid him and warn him against going to the remote homeplace of the deceased Mrs. Drablow... Eel Marsh House. Kipps, being a rational man committed to becoming a partner in the law firm, goes anyway. Once there, he finds that the house is only accessible through a lengthy causeway in the marshes, which is completely underwater in some parts ... Read review

Advantages: Can finish at one sitting
Disadvantages: Can finish at one sitting!

...of us who thought that the glory days of M.R. James were over then take fresh hope with Susan Hill's Woman in Black. In an age where horror seems to have taken over from ghost stories, this is a welcome re-affirmation that fear does not come in blood and gore but in dread. The story is a simple one. A young solicitor is asked to clear the estate of a recently deceased client, but he becomes embroiled in the ghostly going on at the lonely house. Landscape ...
...of the house, surrounded by mist, and often cut off from the village by the rising tide is masterfull. Frankly I don't think Susan Hill has reached these heights before or since. Save it for winter, for Christmas, for Halloween and read at one sitting alone and you will see what I mean! ... Read review

Advantages: Grabs your attention
Disadvantages: If you want something long to read this isn't for you

...exam and as one of the novels I had to study, this was one of them. Normally I have found that books we have to read, are boring, hard to read and generally unninteresting. For me, this book was such an attention grabber. I couldn't take my eyes off the book, and wasn't willing to put it down for a moment. From beginnning to end I was completely absorbed with the contents. However, i would recomend that if you are a person easily frightened by bumps ...
...I strongly recomend this book as a great read. This novel does not take very long to read, as it is shorter than most, but I can assure you, that if you are interested in storylines with twisted moments, gothic elements, the supernatural and love then this is your style. ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to follow
Disadvantages: May scare you.

I saw the play on Wednesday the 28th September 2005, at the Lowry in Manchester. The play was adapted from a book by Susan Hill, written by Stephen Mallatratt, and directed by Robin Herford. The play is set in a Victorian theatre. The theatre was an end stage layout. A minimalist set was used with basic props used throughout the play, like the wicker basket, which was used for the pony and track, the bed and many more. Also a clothes rail was used ...
...narration to explain parts of the play that could not otherwise be shown. Lighting was used to create atmosphere and tension, because this can be used to scare the audience, and make the play as realistic as possible. Special lighting was used for the staircase, this created atmosphere, as the audience has no idea what is going to happen next. The locked room scared the audience as it was only partially lit at the door, until the character entered ... Read review

Advantages: A wonderful , spooky piece of theatre
Disadvantages: Not for the faint-hearted!

...see Woman In Black at the Fortune Theatre last night and was very impressed by the play. The Fortune Theatre itself is a very small venue, which has the advantage of ensuring that you're never far from the stage. From my position in the stalls, I felt that I was very much part of the action. I knew little about the storyline before attending the performance, but was soon engrossed in this ghostly tale. The production makes use of a relatively simple ...
...matters: the story itself. I would thoroughly recommend the play to anyone who appreciates a well-told story with fine acting. The only word of warning that I'd give is that you need to be prepared to be shocked and scared by the surprise elements of the play...I'll say no more! ... Read review