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Hell House

By: Richard Matheson
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Publisher's summary

Hell House is the scariest haunted house novel ever written. It looms over the rest the way the mountains loom over the foothills.” — Stephen King

From the author of
I Am Legend comes Hell House, the basis for the supernatural horror film starring Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill.

For over twenty years, Belasco House has stood empty. Regarded as the Mount Everest of haunted houses, its shadowed walls have witnessed scenes of unimaginable horror and depravity. All previous attempts to probe its mysteries have ended in murder, suicide, or insanity. But now, a new investigation has been launched, bringing four strangers to Belasco House in search of the ultimate secrets of life and death. A wealthy publisher, brooding over his impending death, has paid a physicist and two mediums to establish the facts of life after death once and for all. For one night, they will investigate the Belasco House and learn exactly why the townsfolk refer to it as the Hell House.

Hell House, which inspired the 1973 film The Legend of Hell House, is Matheson’s most frightening and shocking book and an acknowledged classic of the genre.

©1999 Richard Matheson (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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Featured Article: The Haunting of Hill House—Book vs. Show


Shirley Jackson was inspired to write the novel after reading about a group of psychic researchers who spent time in a house believed to be haunted. In an essay, Jackson explained that she was less interested in the investigation itself and more intrigued by what could be learned about the people conducting the investigation. If you're a fan of the super creepy Netflix series, here's the lowdown on how the two chilling incarnations stack up.

What listeners say about Hell House

Average customer ratings
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great performance by Ray Porter.

the book is great. scary, suspenseful, unpredictable. I had read it before but the performance done by the narrator took this book to a whole new level of amazing.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic haunted house story

Gripping and disturbing. If I had one complaint, it would be that I wish all the women didn't sound weak and breathy.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

meh

Not bad, but not great either. Too much of weird sexual stuff, not enough of horror.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Yawn

Well written, well narrated, but ultimately mediocre. Maybe this was scary in the 70s, but now it's pretty lame. I did finish it though, so if in the mood for a "B-movie" audiobook, here ya go.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn't put down

What a great haunted house book, I couldn't put it down. I think I went through the whole book in 2 days when it usually takes 2 weeks.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Necrophiliacs?

Too much grisly sex. Good performance. Outside of the sex the story was good enough. I kept listening.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great reading of a classic!

You will not be disappointed. Great story. Great reading of it. Want to continue with more Matheson.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

a very very good ghost story

Worthy of 4.5 stars. Many times I found myself saying "no, don't go in THERE". Like watching a good horror movie and knowing when something bad is going to happen but not exactly what. Lots of violence, sex, frights, questions, and a nice bow at the end.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

meh

not my cup of tea. had potential but got a little to convoluted to quickly.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Timeless Haunted House Read

What made the experience of listening to Hell House the most enjoyable?

Although I have seen multiple movie adaptations this book kept in engaged the whole time

Who was your favorite character and why?

Fischer - I loved how his character became the hero

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

Dr. Lionel Barrett

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Nope, just kept me interested

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