Pop Culture Punch

Book Review: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020admin

What can I say? I’ve been somewhat enthralled with Shirley Jackson this year and I have no reasons why! Perhaps I’ve just really been in the mood for some spooky stuff. It’s been a while, but I did watch the film adaptation of We Have Always Lived in the Castle that starred Taissa Farmiga, Alexandra Daddario, Sebastian Stan, and Crispin Glover last year. It was a really interesting film, so I’ve been eager to compare how it stacked up against its source material.

Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

November 27, 2020November 27, 2020admin

Now that Halloween has been over for several weeks, it’s been easier for me to get my hands on some spooky novels! Also, ever since reading and watching the biographical but largely fictional, Shirley, I’ve found myself more interested in reading her works. I figured what better way to start than with her very popular, The Haunting of Hill House. Selfishly, I also chose to read this because I want to watch the series, but I have been too afraid to do so. I figure if I give it a read first it might calm my nerves about eventually watching it.

Book Review: Shirley by Susan Scarf Merrell

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020admin

Did I just choose another book that got adapted into a film? You bet. Is it going to be creepy? It better be! Does it star Elisabeth Moss? Of course. I respect horror on film and in writing, and yes, I’ve read a few Shirley Jackson works in my time, but I was drawn to this fictional novel, Shirley, because it was a more subtle thriller delivered from the perspective of an outsider looking into the Hyman/Jackson home.

Movie Review: We Have Always Lived in the Castle

June 5, 2019June 5, 2019admin

As a fan of all Daddario and Farmiga siblings, and Sebastian Stan’s face, I decided to watch We Have Always Lived in the Castle last night. Adapted from Shirley Jackson’s 1962 mystery novel of the same name, this film wasn’t necessarily mysterious based on today’s standards, but it was certainly eerie. Mainly because lead, Merricat (Taissa Farmiga), is quite odd and very succinct in her actions and vocabulary.