Book of the day : "The Woman in Black" by Susan Hill.

     Today I would like to recommend you and say a few words about this so great book by Susan Hill, "The Woman in Black". I'm sure that many of you heard about this book yet or heard/watched the movie based on the book. In the end, "The Woman in Black" is one of the most well-known books of this author.
   Hand up who from you know any book by Susan Hill and/or "The Woman in Black".

  Susan Hill is an English author of fiction and non-fiction works, who was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire [UK]. Her novels are written in a descriptive gothic style, especially her ghost story "The Woman in Black" [1983]. In her bibliography we can find encompassed acclaimed literary novels, ghost stories, children's books, detective novels and memoirs.

You can find more info about Susan Hill oh her official page, official FB, twitter, Goodreads.


     Why did I choose this book as book of the day? Because of the story inside this book - for sure. Because of movie - not really. Because this is one of the most well-known books - yes. And finally, because this is Susan Hill - oh yes!

encompassed acclaimed literary novels, ghost stories, children's books, detective novels and memoirs. - See more at: http://www.susanhill.org.uk/susan_hill_autobiography#sthash.MkgEfkaT.dpuf

   
     "The Woman in Black" a horror novel from 1983, written in the style of a traditional Gothic novel. There's a few movie / TV / radio adaptations, but  but a stage play got the most success back.
   A stage play, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt had a premiere in 1987 at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. In 1989 the production opened in London's West End and is still being performed there, becoming the second longest-running non-musical play in the history of the West End.
   The play has had an enormous success not only on the London stage, but also in many other countries around the world.

↑ cover of the first edition of the book.

About what it is? 

    As I wrote earlier, "The Woman in Black" a horror novel, a chilling, traditional ghost story, with a strong Victorian feel. 

     The story is simple from the first sight, but then, everything is changing and our thoughts about the story too. During the whole book, we aren't sure what is real and what is only a dream, what is good and what is an evil.

   

     The story of the book begins when Arthur Kipps, the main character, leaves the room because of after asking to tell some ghost story by his wife Esme and four stepchildren. After this strange situation, he is deciding to write his memories about staying in the cursed place and about all these things which happened in his life later. He is starting writing  to forget, to kill his fear and demons living in him since these a few days in the desolate and secluded Eel Marsh House, situated on Nine Lives Causeway.

     Many years earlier before the incident with ghost stories, when Arthur Kipps was a young man from London and a junior solicitor for Bentley, had to go to Crythin Gifford, a small town on the north east coast of the United Kingdom, to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow and then sort out her affairs and check all important documents in her house.

    Most of the people in the town were reluctant to reveal information about Mrs Drablow and the mysterious Woman in Black, Woman who Arthur saw at a funeral. Later, after some time in the Mrs Drablow's house with screams, visions and other scary feelings, Arthur is discovering the identity of this woman... 

     And when he thinks, that everything what bad already ended after his leaving of the cursed place, turns out how much he was wrong. After some time when he is coming back to London, Woman in Black is finding him and is taking something precious away from him - his family - as her, Woman in Black, vengeance.

     What happened on Nine Lives Causeway? And what with all these shouts and secrets? - I won't tell you it, you have find it in the book.

For who this book is?

  If you like horrors, traditional ghost stories, Gothic stories, books with dark secrets - this book is for you. You will like it, I'm sure of it.

Why it is worthwhile to read it?

     As I said, if you like this kind of books, good ghost stories, "The Woman in Black" is for you. The story is interesting that you're reading it quickly and you're pleased with every page, every next chapter. And don't forget about dark secrets and all these emotions of the main character.

      I hope that my small opinion shows you how good this book is, and who knows maybe you will want to buy or borrow it and read.

↑ cover of my copy of  "The Woman in Black" - "Kobieta w czerni" [Polish edition].